The ISU swimming and diving team will jump right into its 2013-14 season Saturday on the road against rival Nebraska.

The two schools are quite familiar with each other after facing off in the Big 12 conference for years, until recently, when Nebraska joined the Big Ten.

Even though the schools are no longer conference foes, ISU coach Duane Sorenson still classified the dual as a rivalry.

“When they were in the Big 12, we were always duking it out; now we are two different conferences and still duking it out,” Sorenson said. “It’s a good rivalry for both teams.”

Through the years, Nebraska has gotten the better of Iowa State, as it leads the all-time series 33-6 in dual competition.

Iowa State had its annual intra squad meet last weekend. Most of the team was satisfied with their times and scores, especially considering how early into the season it is.

“I think I posted some pretty good times at this point … and from what they [the coaches] said everyone swam really well,” said freshman Karyl Clarete, who Sorenson noted as an athlete who can potentially score a lot of points for the team.

While the rivalry and the beginning of the season has the team excited, Sorenson wants his team to focus more on what they can control and worry less about the opponent is doing.

“All you can do is control yourself. We can’t reach over and grab them and get a five second penalty. If we’re racing them and they out touch us [to the finish line] that’s fine, as long as we were in the race,” Sorenson said

With this being the first competitive action of the season, the team is feeling some nerves, as it will be the first competition for a number of freshman on the team and the beginning of the end for a number of seniors as well.

More than anything, the team is excited to begin the season.

“I think we’re really excited, we’re ready and we want to race a good team,” said Emily Wiltsie, senior captain and a school-record holder.

This will be the first competitive action for both squads this season, which generally leads to some slower times and lower diving scores.

As the teams continue to practice and get back into the swing of competitive swimming and diving, scores and times should continue to improve.

With that in mind, Sorenson wants his team to maintain an early season perspective.

“Both teams from where we are now, in October, and where we’re going to be in February could be very different,” Sorenson said. “It’s just a good chance to see where we are.”

In diving, sophomore Elyse Brouillette, who led the Cyclones on all three boards last season, will only be competing in the 1-meter dive, in an effort to protect her injured shoulder from being further aggravated.