By: Emilie Jenson 

Public Information Coordinator 

With one early season meet under their belts, the Triton men's and women's swim teams have already secured spots in the 2024 NJCAA Nationals meet in Fort Pierce, Florida, but that won't slow them down from working toward their best times in the pool.

"Our primary focus, because of the way junior college swimming is structured, is the national championships," said Triton Head Swim Coach Thomas Wylie. "We say all roads lead to Fort Pierce; with qualifying times, we've already made it there, but we'll keep preparing and keep refining with nationals in mind because that is when you want them to peak, at nationals."

The 2023-2024 season marks the first full season for Wylie, who joined the Iowa Central coaching staff mid-season last January.

The Triton women have three returning sophomores from last year in Makenna Engels, Morgan Jacobs and Camilla Wood. Freshmen Jenna Braun, Paulina Can Barea, Grace Farrington and Camila Faz complete the roster.

"The women's roster is light this year," said Wylie. "Our three returners from last season are all national scorers with veteran leadership. We have four competition hungry freshmen who are go-getters, and we are excited to work with them this season."

The men's team returns nine sophomores: Sam Bruce, Gael Conde Netzahual, Luis De Oliveira, Tomas Jiminez Diaz, Canyon Jones, Adnan Kabuye, Kareem Salah, Kaleo Theis and Noah Winkel. The roster also includes seven freshmen: Delvin Barick, Jack Colvin, Drew Folkerts, Rafael Gallegos Cespedes, Dylan Miller and John Starrett.

The Triton women finished fourth at nationals in 2023 and the men finished in third.

"We've met our top-five goal for nationals last year, so now we look to get into the top three this year," said Wylie.

As a coach, Wylie said he has enjoyed seeing this group of swimmers come together as one unit.

"It has been fun and invigorating to see how they have come together," he said. "They have really built a culture of support and have been receptive to a new style of coaching and a new approach.