Up and down, back and forth. The ISU swimming and diving team took on Illinois at Beyer Pool on Jan. 17, but couldn’t pull through with a victory.

Iowa State took an early lead after winning the 200-medley relay and the 1000-meter freestyle. The Cyclones held onto a 21-15 lead at that point until Illinois came back, finishing first in the next four events.

Junior Amanda Paulson recorded her 24th victory in the 50-meter freestyle and Senior Imelda Wistey scored 22 points in the 200-medley relay and 200-meter backstroke, finishing first in both events.

“It was a really an up-and-down meet,” said ISU coach Duane Sorenson. “I thought Amanda Paulson swam outstanding. She’s really a typical 50-free [swimmer] but we challenged her with the 100-free and she did a nice job with that. Imelda Wistey had a good 100-breaststroke.”

After six events, Illinois swept Iowa State in the 200-meter freestyle and the 200-meter butterfly. This gave the Fighting Illini a 65-47 lead, with freshman Gabbie Stecker leading the Illinois comeback.

“We knew how good Stecker is, and she’s just a fierce competitor,” Sorenson said. “She’s always been a great swimmer. We knew she was going to do something.”

ISU diving played a key role in keeping the scoreboard close early on.

On the 1-meter board, senior Jessica Henderson scored a 279.46 and finished in first place and coming in second was sophomore Elyse Brouillette as she recorded a score of 276.82.

On the 3-meter board, Henderson finished first again, this time with a score of 288.30. Brouillette came in second on the 3-meter board for Iowa State with a score of 283.95.

“One-meter we started off really well. Three-meter we had a little shaky stuff going on there, but I was really happy, especially with my top-two,” said ISU diving coach Jeff Warrick. “[Henderson and Brouillette] were kind of going at it against each other.”

Sorenson felt the difference in the meet was the 200-meter backstroke and the 200-meter breaststroke.

“I did the best that I could. I’m not happy, I’m just going to be honest,” Wistey said. “I’m a competitor. I want to go out and do the best that I can and I did. I didn’t leave anything on the table.”

She said sleep, pats on the back, telling herself that it’s okay and going back out and swimming is what’s next for her to get ready for the next meet.

The ISU swimming and diving team will be heading to Cedar Falls Jan. 25 to take on Northern Iowa.