This Saturday, the Cyclones head to Iowa City for their 13th straight appearance in the NCAA regional competition.

“Everyone on the team has been there before except the three freshmen, so they can share their knowledge. We’ve been trying to prepare the rookies with the information that they need,” said coach Jay Ronayne.

The Cyclones will be competing against No. 6 Florida, No. 7 UCLA, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 20 Denver and Iowa.

“This competition is a little bit different because six teams compete at once, so for two rotations you sit out. We haven’t encountered that this season. They already know what they will be doing during that time and they are pretty adaptable, so it shouldn’t mess up their heads at all,” Ronayne said.

Iowa State has had two weeks of practice since they last competed in the Big 12 Competition. They have been focusing on tightening up routines in practice and gaining confidence for the upcoming regional meet.

“This week and last week we worked on sticking our landings, because each step we take is a tenth. Also just focusing on having confidence going into this meet,” said freshman Michelle Browning.

Cyclone senior Jasmine Thompson claims she couldn’t be more ready for this meet.

“Preparation as far as my confidence has sky rocketed.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet thing because this could be the end or it could lead to bigger and better things,” Thompson said.

The top two finishing teams in the regional meet will go onto the National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 16-18.

“As a team we’ve only talked about placing first or second. There is no other option. I don’t like to look at it any other way,” said Ronayne.

The team and Ronayne are trying to keep a calm mind about this meet and are trying to keep the pressure at a minimum.

“The approach we take is that it’s just like every other meet. Each meet is practice for the next and this meet is practice for the national championships,” Ronayne said.