Iowa State finished 44th nationally in the final winter standings of the Director’s Cup, a measure of the total success of Division I athletic programs.

To improve on that ranking, developing ISU sports programs will need to continue to grow next season.

Iowa State finished ahead of four Big 12 athletic programs – Colorado, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Baylor – in the Director’s Cup. The Cyclones finished 1.25 points behind Kansas, while Iowa finished 30.75 points ahead in 42nd place.

The ISU wrestling, volleyball and women’s basketball teams are coming off of successful winter seasons, and each squad brings back an experienced core of starters looking for more next season. After disappointing campaigns, the football and men’s basketball teams are seeking to re-establish themselves as contenders within the league.

Here is an early look at the 2008-09 Cyclone sports teams.

Soccer

Seven returning starters will join Iowa State’s newest coach on the women’s soccer team next fall.

In January, Wendy Dillinger signed on to replace Rebecca Hornbacher, who resigned in December after six seasons as head coach. Dillinger, 32, coached Division III Washington University (St. Louis) to four NCAA Tournaments during a six-year stint.

Twelve regular contributors from 2007 should be back for Dillinger’s rookie campaign.

Iowa State finished last season with an 8-6-5 record and lost to second-ranked Texas A&M in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. The game was a 1-1 draw after two overtimes, but the Aggies won the penalty kick shootout, 8-7.

The Cyclones will have to replace four senior starters, all of whom were four-year contributors.

Key returners: Ann Gleason, GK, Jr.; Jordan Bishop, MF, So.; Casey Bothwell, MF, Jr.; Lauren Fader, D, Jr.; Tori Johnson, MF/D, So.; Amanda Nimtz, F, Jr.; Adrianna O’Neill, MF/D, So.; Lauren Odino, F, Jr.; Elise Reid, MF, Jr.; Elisa Berzins, MF/D, Sr.; Leslie Hill, F, Sr.; Amanda Purple, D, Sr.

Key losses: Erin Witte, F; Brittanie Waddell, MF/F; Beth Passman, D; Stephanie Kaphingst, MF.

Football

Improvement over the course of a 3-9 season allows for some optimism for the 2008 season, but the ISU football team will have to overcome inexperience in several key positions to avoid a third consecutive losing season.

The loss of four-year starter Bret Meyer leaves the Cyclones without a proven quarterback. Sophomores Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates will compete for the starting job, but the quarterback position could still be unsettled this fall. Standout wide receiver Todd Blythe is also gone, necessitating the development of playmakers on offense.

Four of five starting offensive lineman return, and several redshirt freshman could help establish a superior line. Cyclone running backs Alexander Robinson, J.J. Bass and Jason Scales each had 100-yard games last season.

The interior of the defense will need to be rebuilt, and the Cyclones will need to find capable replacements for both defensive tackles and two of three starting linebackers. Graduated defensive tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Bryce Braaksma and linebackers Alvin Bowen and Jon Banks will all be in NFL camps this summer.

Depth also needs to be established in experienced reserves. The Cyclones have no kickers with collegiate experience heading into fall.

Key returners: Alexander Robinson, RB, RSo.; R.J. Sumrall, WR/KR, RSr.; Marquis Hamilton, WR, Jr.; Derrick Catlett, FB/TE, RJr.; Doug Dedrick, OT, Sr.; Reggie Stephens, OG, RJr.; Brandon Johnson, C, RSr.; Ben Lamaak, OT, RSo.; Mike Brandtner, P, RJr.; Rashawn Parker, DE, Jr.; Kurtis Taylor, DE, Sr.; Jesse Smith, LB, RJr.; Allen Bell, DB/KR, RJr.; Chris Singleton, CB, Sr.; Chris Brown, SS, Sr.; Steve Johnson, SS, Jr.; James Smith, FS, RJr.

Key losses: Bret Meyer, QB; Todd Blythe, WR; Tom Schmeling, OG; Bryce Braaksma, DT; Ahtyba Rubin, DT; Jon Banks, LB; Alvin Bowen, LB; Caleb Berg, DB; Bret Culbertson, K; Matt Purvis, Long snapper.

Volleyball

A trip to the Sweet 16 in 2007 leaves the ISU volleyball team with high hopes for 2008. Iowa State advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and broke into national rankings for the first time in program history.

The Cyclones finished the season 19-14 overall and 11-9 in the Big 12 conference. The Cyclones must account for the losses of four-year contributors Erin Boeve, Laura Cady, Lauren Cummings and Meghan Ferrie, who leave holes at outside hitter, right-side hitter and defensive specialist positions.

Key returners: Amy Vos, DS/L, Sr.; Jen Malcom, MB, Sr.; Mary Bisenius, OH, Sr.; Kaylee Manns, S, Jr.; Diane Kieger, MB, Jr.; Victoria Henson, OH, So.; Rachel Williams, OH/MB, So.; Cassie Pratt, S, So.; Ashley Mass, DS/L, So.

Key losses: Erin Boeve, OH/RS; Laura Cady, DS/L; Lauren Cummings, RS; Meghan Ferrie, OH/RS.

Men’s basketball

Greg McDermott is still looking for his first winning season as a Cyclone.

Before it can happen in the 2008-09 season, the third-year head coach must fill two big holes in the starting lineup.

The Cyclones lost Jiri Hubalek and four-year starting small forward Rahshon Clark to graduation.

Iowa State will need to develop a complement in the middle to power forward Craig Brackins. Justin Hamilton, a 6-foot-11-inch incoming freshman, and Jamie Vanderbeke, a 6-foot-11-inch junior college transfer, could provide the answer. Lucca Staiger – a 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard from Blaustein, Germany – sat out this season, but is expected to strengthen the perimeter shooting of the Cyclone offense.

Key returners: Wesley Johnson, SF, Jr.; Diante Garrett, PG, So.; Craig Brackins, PF, So.; Bryan Petersen, PG, Sr.; Sean Haluska, SG, Sr.

Key losses: Jiri Hubalek, C; Rahshon Clark, SF.

Women’s basketball

The ISU women’s basketball team overcame the loss of two starters on its way to an NCAA Tournament berth.

Expectations will be high for a team expected to return its whole roster.

Front court starters Nicky Wieben and Toccara Ross suffered season-ending injuries, leaving the Cyclones short their two top-post players for the final 18 games of the season.

Iowa State finished the season with a 21-13 record after losing to No. 2-seeded Rutgers, 69-58, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cyclones knocked off 15th-ranked Kansas State to reach the Big 12 Tournament semifinals and solidify their ninth NCAA Tournament appearance in 12 years.

Ross was awarded a fifth season of eligibility after playing in just nine games. Iowa State will have proven talent in each position entering next season.

Key returners: Heather Ezell, SG, Sr.; Toccara Ross, SF, Sr.; Nicky Wieben, PF, Sr.; Alison Lacey, PG, Jr.; Kelsey Bolte, SG, So.; Jocelyn Anderson, PF, Sr.; Amanda Nisleit, SF, Sr.; Denae Stuckey, PG, Jr.

Wrestling

No team has higher expectations for the 2008-09 season than the ISU wrestling team.

Iowa State won its second consecutive Big 12 Championship last season and finished fifth at the NCAA Tournament. Six All-Americans return next season – more than any other team in the country.

The seven Cyclone junior starters will be entering the prime of their collegiate careers. Iowa State is hoping for its first NCAA Championship since 1987.

The Cyclones are one of a handful of legitimate challengers to 2008 NCAA Champion Iowa’s quest for a repeat.

Key returners: Tyler Clark, 125 pounds, So.; Nick Fanthorpe, 133 pounds, Jr.; Nick Gallick, 141 pounds, Jr.; Mitch Mueller, 149 pounds, Jr.; Cyler Sanderson, 157 pounds, Jr.; Jon Reader, 165 pounds, So.; Jake Varner, 184 pounds, Jr.; David Zabriskie, heavyweight, Jr.

Key losses: Aron Scott, 174 pounds; David Bertolino, 197 pounds.

Gymnastics

The 2009 ISU gymnastics team should look familiar next winter.

The lone graduating senior, Kristy Bellinger, was a reserve on the uneven bars.

With one more year of experience under their belts, the Cyclones will look to substantially improve on their 2009 meet record of 1-9.

For the 12th time in 13 years, the Cyclones advanced to the NCAA Regional Championships after a second-place finish in the Big 12 Championships.

Iowa State finished 0.1 point behind conference champion Oklahoma. With an abundance of leadership returning, a conference title next season is a realistic goal.

Key returners: Jasmine Thompson, AA, Sr.; Nikii Dilbert, AA, Jr.; Ashley Kent, UB/BB, Sr.; Katie Sweetin, AA, Jr.; Ceilia Maccani, AA, Sr.; Anna Robey, AA, Jr.; Jody McKellar, AA, Jr.; Megan Barnes, AA, Jr.