As the season unfolds, the ISU swimming and diving team will head to Champaign, Ill., Saturday to take on both Illinois and Southern Illinois for the first time under head swimming coach Duane Sorenson.

The Cyclones are coming off a 195-102 loss to Minnesota last weekend. Even though they have lost their last two meets, the Cyclones’ preparation isn’t to blame, Sorenson said.

“We’re not happy with the two losses,” Sorenson said. “We have a little trouble finishing our races, but that’s typical in the fall. As far as training goes, we’re right on track.”

Since it will be the first time Sorenson has gone against Illinois as an ISU coach, he said he will have to do some homework in order to find strengths and weaknesses in the opposition. As the coaches do their work, they hope to find out how well they stack up against their opponents and judge how the meet could go.

Iowa State will need strong performances from freshmen and leadership from the seniors to meet its goals this season, Sorenson said.

So far, the Cyclones have been getting both. Freshmen Lauren Breunig and Chelsey Walden have been doing well. Breunig has competed well in the 200-yard freestyle, taking second against Minnesota with a time of 1:53.44. Walden has had strong performances in the 1,000-yard freestyle, which she won against Minnesota in 10:24.78.

“I have been very impressed with our freshmen so far,” Sorenson said.

As the swimmers prepare for the meet, the divers will have some extra excitement going against teams they haven’t competed against before.

“It will be good for our divers,” diving coach Jeff Warrick said.

“It will give our divers the chance to see how other people are doing.”

While Warrick said he feels the ISU divers haven’t quite reached the top level they are capable of, he feels confident that achievement will come in a few weeks’ time.

A big help to the divers has been the quick rehabilitation of junior Katie Herman. Herman, who had knee surgery in April, hadn’t been able to jump off a board until a few weeks ago.

“As far as practice time goes, she’s a little behind,” Warrick said. “But her performances in the meets have been very solid.”

After traveling to Champaign, Ill., the Cyclones will next head to Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 21-23 for the three-day Minnesota Invitational.