The season continues this week for three ISU swimmers. Dylan de Bruin, Mitch McGinty and Brian Rogers will participate in the NCAA Championship meet beginning Thursday in Minneapolis.

All three swimmers have experience in the championship meet. McGinty, a senior, makes his third appearance in the championship meet. He made a consideration cut and will swim in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly races.

Last year McGinty took part in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events and in the 200-yard individual medley. In 1998 he participated in the butterfly events and the 400-yard freestyle relay, as well.

McGinty says his experience in the NCAA Championship will help.

“Two years ago I went with a huge group and last year there were two of us,” McGinty said. “It’s a big change from going as a team and going as an individual. I think it [experience] will be really helpful.”

Rogers, a senior, will make his second appearance in the national championship meet. Rogers made the field with an automatic bid and will swim the 100 and 200-yard backstroke. Rogers made the NCAA field in 1998 as a member of ISU’s 200-yard medley relay team.

Rogers mentioned that he was awe-struck the last time he participated in the NCAA Championship meet. Rogers says he plans to use his experience to help him this time around.

“My focus is on succeeding and not just the fact that I made it,” said Rogers.

Only a sophomore, de Bruin will take place in the NCAA Championship for the second time. Last year he participated in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle races. He made the NCAA Championship field through a consideration cut.

Head coach Trip Hedrick says experience in a meet of this caliber can help.

“I think any time you can get a meet like this under your belt it helps,” Hedrick said.

The NCAA Championship meet is the most important meet for the swimmers that qualify. The three Cyclone participants appear to be ready for the challenge.

“It’s always a challenge,” Hedrick said. “I think they’re [the swimmers] very prepared. They’re extremely strong mentally, which will help, too.”

McGinty said he is prepared for the swimming and the pressure that accompanies a meet of this importance.

“I feel really relaxed,” McGinty said. “This is probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been for a meet like this.”

Rogers is ready for the meet to start. “I’m ready to go,” he said. “I can’t wait to get there.”

Expectations run high for the Cyclones in the meet.

“It’s [nationals] been my focus the entire year,” Rogers said. “I want to place really high. I expect all the work to pay off when it really counts.”

“Your goal at this meet is to swim twice in one day,” Hedrick said. “That means you’ve either made the consolation or championship finals. That’s the goal for all of our men.”

McGinty said he expects the meet to be fun. “I think this year is going to be a lot more fun,” he said. “I’m not even thinking of how I’m going to do.”

NCAA Championship qualifiers help the overall credibility of a program. Hedrick agreed.

“I think it’s a feather in the cap of any program to get as many guys as they can into the NCAA’s.”