The ISU gymnastics team can throw its 1-9 record out the window, because on Saturday, it will compete in the Big 12 Championships in Norman, Okla.

The Cyclones’ season will be defined by how well they compete this weekend and how they compete two weeks from now at the NCAA Regionals.

“We wait for this culminating event all year,” said coach Jay Ronayne. “It’s what we’ve spent the last six months preparing for.”

Oklahoma is ranked ninth in the country and is the favorite to win – but all four Big 12 teams are capable of winning the championship if they perform at their best.

“They’re all the team to beat – they’re all really good teams,” Ronayne said.

The Cyclones have gone 0-4 this season against the other three Big 12 teams and are projected to place fourth at the Big 12 Championships.

“We’re not walking in trying to maintain third or fourth – we want to win it,” Ronayne said.

Sophomore Jennifer Salfen said the team has been practicing for this weekend’s meet, just like it does for every other regular season meet.

“I’m excited for the Big 12s because we’re the underdog, and we really have a chance to show what we can do,” said sophomore Katie Sweetin.

Ronayne said the team has been focusing on its landings. Every small step taken during a landing deducts from the gymnast’s score.

“At Georgia last week, we gave up over a point,” Ronayne said. “In this sport, that’s a ton – that’s like three touchdowns. It’s that big.”

The Cyclones have already visited Norman, Okla., once when they took on the Sooners in the regular season this year. Oklahoma won, 196.375-193.675.

Saturday’s meet will also be the first time the Cyclones will be on TV this season.

“It will be exciting with the cameras there, and we’ll be going up against three really good teams with a chance to show everybody what we can do,” Salfen said.

Fox Sports Net Midwest will air the Big 12 Championships, but not live. FSN Midwest will air the 90-minute event at 12:30 p.m. April 6 and again at noon April 7.

The Cyclones placed fourth last season – their first time finishing outside of the top two since 2003.

Iowa State won the Big 12 Championships in 2000 and 2006.

Iowa State is currently ranked No. 33, Oklahoma is ranked No. 9, Nebraska is ranked No. 14 and Missouri is ranked No. 18.