The ISU swimming and diving team accomplished its goal of finishing in the top-three at the Big 12 Championships, but going into the NCAA Championships, the Cyclones have no expectations.

“I’m just going to enjoy it and have no expectations,” said senior Imelda Wistey. “I just want to have fun because this is what I’ve been training for.”

Iowa State finished in third place, which is the highest finish at a conference championship for the Cyclones in the Big 12 era. Next up for Iowa State is the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Championships and the NCAA Women’s Championships.

“[The Big 12 Championships] was a good learning experience,” said sophomore Elyse Brouillette. “From this week, I learned a lot about myself mentally, and I’m going to be working on the little things to improve. I’ve built up a confidence for zones.”

Brouillette made it to the finals in each  of her events. She finished fourth on platform, fifth on the 1-meter diving board and seventh on the 3-meter diving board. She said that she just missed qualifying on the 3-meter diving board last year so this time felt like redemption for her.

Senior Jessica Henderson also made it to the finals in each diving event at the Big 12 Championships. She finished fifth on the platform, eighth on the 3-meter diving board and second on the 1-meter, which is a school record.

The divers’ next task is getting ready for the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Championships March 10-12, and said they are not going in with a predetermined plan.

“Last year, I made too big a deal out of [zones],” Brouillette said. “This year, I’m going to focus on having fun and just let it happen. Hopefully the results will follow.”

Heading into the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Championships, Henderson said they will really work out the kinks and work on consistency and diving under pressure.

Iowa State also had a number of NCAA B-cut times, but those don’t guarantee any advancement to the NCAA Championships. Wistey finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke, ninth in the 200-yard butterfly and 13 in the 200 individual medley. Junior Amanda Paulson finished in fifth place in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 0:50.33.

As of right now, Wistey and Paulson, among others, are waiting to see if they will qualify for the NCAA Championships.

“The next step would be to go back in the pool. I trust my coaches to train me, and I’m ready to be training again,” Wistey said.