Getting into form is the biggest concern for the ISU women’s swimming and diving team in Nebraska this weekend as it prepares for the upcoming Big 12 Championships.

Iowa State will be competing against Nebraska-Omaha Friday in Omaha and in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday against Nebraska. Iowa State will be traveling to Austin, Texas, Feb. 25 to begin the three-day Big 12 Championships.

“These meets this weekend will really be our last chance to tune up our races,” head coach Duane Sorenson said. “It’s a chance to prepare our girls for the upcoming championships.”

Junior Brita Benson said she also feels the meets this weekend are a last chance to prepare.

“These meets are going to be a good chance for us to practice team unity,” Benson said.

Sorenson said the meet against Nebraska-Omaha will be similar to another nonconference meet the Cyclones attended earlier this season at St. Olaf because swimmers will be competing in events that aren’t their usual events.

“Omaha is going to be kind of a tuneup meet. It’s going to be a fun meet,” Sorenson said.

Iowa State has beaten Nebraska the last two years. Although Sorenson said it would be nice to get a win against the Cornhuskers, it is not a must-win meet.

“Of course we’d like to beat Nebraska again, but there is not that feeling that we need to beat them. It’s more like a meet to help get us prepared,” Sorenson said.

Benson, who will be competing in the 50 and 100 freestyles Saturday, said the team will need to do well to win against the Cornhuskers.

“Everyone needs to be on their game and compete well to win this weekend,” Benson said.

Sorenson said the Cyclones will have to take advantage of some events that they’re strong in and have some upsets against Nebraska to win.

“They are very good in diving and in distance,” Sorenson said. “They are also outstanding in freestyle.

“In most other events we are very competitive. We are very good in the relays. I also expect Petra [Plaminkova] to do very well in the meets this weekend.”