Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University senior
Gus Chagas has been swimming internationally since 1997. A senior from Recife, Brazil, Chagas became Wingate’s first-ever individual national champion when he won the 200 Freestyle at the 2007 NCAA Division II national championship meet. Chagas was also a six-time All-American during the same season.
In 2009, Chagas racked up seven All-American awards as well as a conference title. Chagas took home a second-place trophy in his signature 200 Freestyle event at the NCAA swimming national championship. In addition, Chagas posted personal bests at the 2009 national championships in three different events. Chagas has been a consistent swimmer for the Bulldogs. He has established several records for the Bulldog swim team.
10 questions with Gus Chagas
What are you going to be doing after college?
Looking for a job…
Why would you recommend Wingate University to others?
Because it feels like home, we have the freedom to talk to the professors…
One word you would use to describe your personality?
Perseverance
What would you most like people to know about you?
I never give up…
If you could be a fictional character from any movie, television show, book, etc., for a day…who would it be and why?
Rocky (Balboa), because he is a winner…
What was your most memorable experience at Wingate?
Winning the first individual national title in Wingate’s history…
What is your favorite event and why?
200 Freestyle, because it is a mix of speed and endurance…
If you could be a coach for the day what would you do at practice?
Motivational practice (the athletes could use any equipment or suit to break the world record)…
What is your favorite pet?
Dog
Describe your experience at Wingate?
It feels like it was yesterday when I started. I enjoyed every moment, but I am ready to be done and begin the adult life.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
(Wingate University sports information student assistant Carlos Jones wrote this story. Jones is a Business Management major from Decatur, Ga.)