Coming off an impressive 7-2 dual meet record ¢ the best mark achieved by an ISU swimming and diving squad since the 1981¤82 season ¢ the team is looking to repeat their success of last year and more.

The ISU women¡s swimming team began practicing hard for the upcoming season right after the Labor Day break.

Currently, ISU head swimming coach Duane Sorenson is running what he calls dry land practices, which consist of three sessions a week of running up and down stadium stairs and three sessions of working in the weight room.

The team is also doing nine sessions a week of working on stroke techniques.

We are trying to build an aerobic base and foundation,Œ Sorenson said. Right now the team is healthy.Œ

Sorenson said the team has the benefit of a few returning swimmers, who should provide much of the leadership.

The team¡s strengths are that 2002 NCAA Championship qualifiers Melissa Jensen and Susanne Notbohm bring a lot of experience, leadership and a good attitude to practice,Œ he said.

Although, the team is young ¢ with only three of the swimmers being seniors ¢ they are confident they can compete with anyone, because there are 22 letterwinners returning.

We are a well-balanced team and have gotten better every year,ΠSorenson said.

The team has swimmers returning who bring a lot of experience.

Susanne Notbohm finished 28th in the 200-meter individual medley and 33rd in the 100-meter butterfly at the NCAA Championships last season, and along with Becca Meyer, Brita Benson and Rena Kelinson, was also part of the school record-breaking 400-freestyle-relay team.

The team as a whole finished fourth by earning 500 points, which was Iowa State¡s highest Big 12 standing.

The Cyclones also broke 11 school records at last year¡s Big 12 meet.

Junior Melissa Jensen, who qualified for the 2002 NCAA Championship by finishing with a time of 1:58.71 at the Big 12 Championships, said a team strength is also the family-type atmosphere that has developed.

We do a lot together as a team; we are a family,ΠJensen said.

We show encouragement and enthusiasm for each other during the season.Œ

Although the team trains hard during the season, most of the swimmers go home during the offseason.

Despite that, it doesn¡t keep them from staying in shape.

A lot of us cross-train, roller blade and run,ΠJensen said.

Iowa State¡s first meet is on Oct. 11, when they¡ll travel to Lincoln, Neb. to compete in the Big 12 Relays.

The meet is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.