The ISU swimming and diving team takes to the road this weekend, competing at Nebraska-Omaha on Friday night followed by a meet at Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. This is the Cyclones’ first official competition since they were defeated by Iowa back on Dec. 9.

Iowa State (3-2) takes on Nebraska-Omaha (2-7) on Friday evening in a meet that will consist primarily of shorter distance events. The Mavericks are coming off just their second win of the season against Northern Iowa on Jan. 14.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to stand up and race in the short races and get ourselves ready for the next day,” said ISU head coach Duane Sorenson.

The Cyclones defeated the Mavericks in Ames last season by a final score of 101-64.

ISU diving coach Jeff Warrick said that Friday’s diving competition is going to be a little out of the ordinary.

“We just found out that the divers that they had aren’t there the second semester,” Warrick said. “We are going to compete, we are going to dive, but it’s a little bit different situation.”

“It’s a good chance for us to still be in a competitive environment, post some good scores and to work on some things we’ve been doing in practice.”

On Saturday, the Cyclones head to Lincoln, Neb., to compete against the rival Cornhuskers (2-2). Nebraska has suffered two very close losses the last two weeks against Illinois and Kansas.

“It’s always been a great meet when we swim against Nebraska,” Sorenson said. “We just want to go over there and have a great showing.”

Junior Tiana Wollin is ready to face both teams who she swam against last year.

“We know we have to really step it up,” Wollin said. “I know a lot of people are excited to go there. It’ll be good competition because their times have been good this season.”

Sorenson knows the two teams do a good job of playing to each other’s weaknesses.

“Where they’re strong, we’re weak, and where we’re strong, they’re weak,” Sorenson said. “It’ll be going back and forth to see who can keep going and who can break through in the other team’s strength.”

“There’s going to be some good competition,” Warrick said. “Nebraska always has good diving there. It’s just going to be a matter of being consistent and being ready.”

Friday’s meet at the Univeristy of Nebraska-Omaha is set to begin at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s in Lincoln is set to begin at 1 p.m.