Knocking the rust off is the only thing the ISU women’s swimming and diving team needs to worry about heading into competition Friday against Division III opponent St. Olaf.

It’s been more than a month since Iowa State last competed in a scored meet.

“We’ve been doing a bit of stand-up sets and test sets,” head coach Duane Sorenson said. “Our girls have been racing each other and have had more time swimming.”

Iowa State’s last contest was an unscored meet in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 6 against Lehigh and Wittenberg. The Cyclones won all but one event.

“I was pleased with our efforts,” Sorenson said. “We practiced two times a day at two hours each practice. Lauren Breunig and Jenny Lindberg, among others, had a good week.”

Senior Kim Schmugge said she felt the team has prepared well over the break.

“We just got back from Florida and we also did some sprinting sets. We pretty much followed the same practice that we’ve gone through all season getting ready,” Schmugge said.

Schmugge collected first place in the 200-freestyle team relay, 200-medley relay and the 100 backstroke.

Sorenson said the most important thing in the meet against St. Olaf is for Iowa State to get prepared for the rest of the season.

“St. Olaf is a very good Division III team, but we’ll beat them handily. This is just a chance for the entire team to get in and compete,” Schmugge said. “This is going to be a stepping stone to prepare for Kansas and Missouri next weekend.”

Iowa State will have swimmers competing in different events that aren’t their strongest in the meet against St. Olaf.

“We’re just trying to get back into dual racing mode, and we’re using this as a preparation,” Sorenson said.

Schmugge said she feels Friday is an opportunity for swimmers to show what they can do in other events.

“It’s really just a chance to show how well the training paid off,” Schmugge said. “We have people who get to swim in different sets so they get to prove themselves and show what they can do.”

Last year, Iowa State defeated the St. Olaf Oles 180-109 at home.