The ISU swimming and diving squad is what most people would call inexperienced. The separate squads combine to consist of 32 members, only six of which are seniors. The teams haven’t let that slow them down yet this year as they are off to a 2-1 start after posting wins at Illinois State and Evansville before falling short this past weekend in a meet against the University of Illinois.

The diving squad consists of only one senior, Tien Tran from Greenwood, Ind., and she has enough diving experience to lead the rest of the squad.

Tran earned All-Big 12 Honors as a junior in the 1-meter dive, and dove into the Cyclone record books last year by breaking the school record for the 3-meter dive. She also has been elected team captain and has high expectations for younger divers.

Seniors Frances Calzada and Abby Glaser bring experience as they help other swimmers step up into their events in competitive Big 12 swimming. The seniors on the swim squad are designated leaders by coach Duane Sorenson and are used as examples for the team.

Coaches look for the seniors to help as coaches and help adjust the new swimmers to the team. Sorensen, entering his 13th season as the head coach for the women’s swimming team, pushes the captains and seniors to establish themselves as leaders.

“Coach Sorenson has encouraged us to speak up, show what you think to the other swimmers. We see areas for improvement and want to help everyone improve,” Glaser said. It’s this type of mentality that brings the swimmers together as a strong, close unit that have lofty goals for this season.

Six time All-Big 12 diver Tran had two victories at the meets against Illinois State and Evansville on both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives. Junior Abby Christensen brings more experience to the constantly improving diving team as one of two juniors on the squad.

The swimmers and divers head away once again this weekend with meets Friday at South Dakota and Saturday at South Dakota State.