After a long layoff during Winter Break, the ISU swimming and diving team is ready to compete against Missouri. To bridge the gap between meets, the swim team went to Phoenix for a training trip and did their best to simulate a meet.

“We had a little scrimmage against Nebraska when we were in Phoenix,” said coach Duane Sorenson. “We had a test set to get them in a racing mode, so I think we’re ready to compete this weekend.”

Going into the scrimmage, the swimmers were already at a disadvantage. Before the meet the swimmers fought fatigue at several practices, and Nebraska merely warmed up before the scrimmage.

“We had some tough practices before the scrimmage,” said swimmer Danni Harris, “and for us to give them a run for it, it was a big confidence booster for us.”

Sorenson said that during break a few swimmers stood out, such as Lindsey Frodyma and Meredith Doran.

“Lindsey has had a great month of training,” Sorenson said. “In practice she was swimming times she wasn’t doing in meet setting. Meredith Doran has been doing a great job in her distance sets also.”

Sorenson also said Harris has been swimming great, calling her “Miss Consistent.” Harris has a personal tie to this meet, as she will be competing against a friend she knew growing up.

“I grew up with Lisa Nathanson,” Harris said. “We swam on the same club team, and she’s a tough competitor so I’m really excited to swim against her.”

Earlier this year the swim team lost narrowly to a strong No. 14 Minnesota squad, and Missouri will prove to be another tough test coming in ranked No. 25. Earlier this week Minnesota beat Missouri convincingly, 195-101.

Some swimmers from Missouri to watch are Dominuque Bouchard and Sasha Menu Courey. Sorenson said the two swimmers are some of the best in the country at the backstroke, and the ISU backstrokers will have “their work cut out for them.” 

“Missouri has a very good team,” Sorenson said. “They have very strong backstroke and breaststroke swimmers, so it will allow our women to see where they stand against the Big 12 competition, and hopefully it’ll be a great meet.”