Swimming hasn’t always come easy to ISU women’s swimmer Carmella Nogar.

“She didn’t really have a strong training background but she was still swimming fast,” head swimming coach Duane Sorenson said.

Nogar said it was a matter of not having the proper training.

“The experience on my club team was rough because the coaching turnover was high, so I had to learn how to adjust and be flexible with how I train,” she said.

Nogar’s hard work and training did pay off when it came to recruiting.

“New Mexico, a couple of schools in Missouri, Michigan and ISU were all interested in me,” she said.

Choosing Iowa State was an easy decision for her.

“My brother was already here and I wanted to go to a Division I school so I would be challenged,” Nogar said.

“Duane really made me feel wanted and welcomed.”

With her brother already at Iowa State it made it that much easier for coach Sorenson to find out about her.

“He really told me a lot about her,” Sorenson said. “They are from a small town [Los Alamos, N.M.] and he went through the same circumstances with the large coaching turnover but improved dramatically here.”

Sorenson was willing to take the chance.

“Lots of times talent is hereditary. It’s a good indicator of your talent level and what you can do,” he said.

Nogar has made the decision something Sorenson won’t regret.

She has finished seventh in the 400 IM, ninth in the 200 IM and 10th in the 200 butterfly at the Big 12 Conference Championships. She has also been named to numerous first-team academic all-Big 12 teams.

Sorenson said she brings more to the team than just her swimming ability.

“She has a good sense of humor and is very witty. You have to pay attention to understand her little jokes,” he said. “Most days she has a smile on her face. If she doesn’t, you know to stay away from her.”

Her four years have flown by, but Sorenson can see the changes she has made.

“She has improved dramatically — her sets and repeats are faster than when she first got here,” he said.

“Carmella handles training a lot better. She is a goal setter and has high expectations for herself,” Sorenson said.

Nogar said the hard work has been worth it.

“My experience here has been more than I ever expected,” Nogar said.

“I have gained so many friendships through swimming and learned a lot about myself in the process.”

Nogar has set all her goals for the season and plans to follow through with them.

“My goals are to qualify for the NCAAs, have a strong finish this year and end my career on a positive note,” she said.

Sorenson said those are good goals for the swimmer.

“She wants to be in the finals in more than one event at the Big 12 meet which could really help the team, and she’s excited about that,” he said.