The ISU swimming and diving team begins its season this Friday at Minnesota.

Minnesota, which is known to be one of the top women’s teams in the nation, should prove to challenge Cyclone swimmers and divers. 

“They are a very good team. They’re one of the top teams in the country,” said diving coach Jeff Warrick. “It’s going to be good for us to see swimmers and divers like that.”

Swimming coach Duane Sorenson is also excited to see how the team will stand after waves in the pool have settled.

“We’ve got teams that we can beat, teams that we can compete with and teams that really will challenge us,” Sorenson said. “This will be a challenge meet.”

ISU swimmers are anxious to get in the pool and compete this weekend.

“[Last year] we went after it and showed them what we’ve got,” said senior Dani Harris. “It’s going to be even better this year.”  

During the past weeks, swimmers have been practicing hard preparing for the meet. Working on high intensity and endurance, the Cyclones feel confident their time in the pool will pay off.

“We’ve been practicing really, really hard,” Harris said poolside as her teammates completed laps. “I think that it’s really going to prepare us to race hard and finish hard.”

Harris’ teammates share her convictions about the upcoming competition.

“I’m confident,” said sophomore Liz Kleiner. “There are going to be some good races, and it will be a tough meet, but I think that our girls can stand up and show them what we’ve got.”

Last year Minnesota sealed a victory in Ames for a win of 199-100 using 13 victories to defeat Iowa State.

With the meet in Minnesota this season, many ISU swimmers are looking forward to swimming near home. The meet should provide somewhat of a “homecoming” experience for Cyclones from the state of Minnesota.

“We’ve got a lot of kids from Minnesota who have a chance to go home and swim and dive in front of family and friends,” Sorenson said.

Coach Warrick is also eager to head for Minnesota. His message to his divers is to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.

“This is a great atmosphere,” Warrick said. “It’s a great pool that we’re going to. There’s going to be some great diving, so let’s step up.”