Despite the final score, the ISU swimming and diving team had some season bests in a season-opening 194-98 loss to Minnesota on Friday.

Swimming coach Duane Sorenson said the Cyclones had several good individual races.

“Team-wise, this wasn’t what we wanted, but we had a lot of nice little swims here and there,” Sorenson said.

There were many ISU swimmers who have already had season-best times in multiple events. Iowa State was led by Kim Rogers, who finished second in the 100 freestyle (53:28) and second in the 200 backstroke (2:08.97).

Lauren Breunig earned second- and third-place finishes in the 100 freestyle (53.28) and the 200 freestyle (1:54.45). Brita Benson placed second in the 100 butterfly (1:00.15) and fourth in the 50 freestyle (24.60).

In the 1,000 freestyle, Lydia Smirniotis had a personal best time of 10:31.42. Krista Fehl had her personal best in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.67).

Fehl, a walk-on freshman, beat her previous best by two seconds.

“You usually don’t see that type of improvement until the Big 12 Championships in February,” Sorenson said.

“In October, she is having her lifetime best. So that is really exciting.”

The divers also had some individual highlights from two senior performers.

In the 1-meter springboard, Katie Herman earned a second with a score of 259.95, and Gail Olson finished fourth.

In the 3-meter springboard, Olson recorded second with 297.45 points. Herman finished fifth.

The divers were without their coach, Jeff Warrick, who had a family emergency. In his absence, Hillary Nichols filled in. She is recovering from a severe ankle sprain.

“It is early in the season, and both girls have been diving so well,” Nichols said.

The 3-meter jump is the stronger board for Olson, Nichols said.

“She seems very confident, and it has definitely shown,” Nichols said.

“This is the best I have ever seen her dive.”

Nichols said the 1-meter dive is the better jump for Herman.

“Last year, she took a year off (knee surgery) and has been training really hard,” Nichols said. “This is just a great score for her this early in the season.”