The ISU swimming and diving team had finally got its home opener, nearly a month into the season. Adding to the anticipation was the fact that its opponent was a conference foe who they had never faced in a dual meet.

Texas Christian (2-2, 2-0 Big 12) handed Iowa State (3-1-1, 0-1 Big 12) its first loss of the season 160.5 to 139.5. While the team was disappointed, ISU coach Duane Sorenson was pleased with how his team performed.

The meet was close from start to finish, as were most of the races on the evening.

“I just think our women will have to focus a little bit more, work on those little things, because we had so many races that were just hundredths of seconds separating them,” Sorenson said.

Although the team suffered its first defeat on the season, Iowa State had a few individual performances that stole the show.

Elyse Brouillette, last season’s Most Valuable Diver, had her career best score in the 3-meter event and delivered the second-highest score in school history at 329.48.

This came just a week after Brouillette became the first Cyclone diver this season to qualify for the NCAA Zone D event. The NCAA Zone events then qualify athletes for the end-of-season NCAA Diving Championships.

“I just tried to do what I do in practice, be calm and confident, get up there and smile and go,” Brouillette said.

ISU diving coach Jeff Warrick was pleased with Brouillette’s scores as well as with the rest of his divers. Brouillette had her top score of the season on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards.

“It was good to see. She isn’t at her peak on the 1-meter yet, but then she showed it on her 3-meter tonight,” said Warrick.

The divers won’t compete again until December, so they will take this time to work on the little things that can help boost their scores, Warrick said.

In addition to the diving performances, Amanda Paulson, Karyl Clarete and Imelda Wistey were all athletes that Sorenson noted as having strong performances.

“Personally, I felt really good. I dropped my time, so I was really happy with that,” Clarete said. “We went out there and raced really hard. I think moving forward this boosts are confidence even more.”

Clarete won both the 500- and 1000-meter freestyle events, and Paulson won the 50- and 100-meter free events. The coach noted Wistey, who swam her fastest breaststroke times of the season.

The swimmers will have a week off before competing in the Kansas Invitational on Nov. 22 to 24.