It’s a new year, a new season, a new beginning.If there is a time to be an Iowa Stater, it is now.

As winter graces itself on the campus, the excitement of the season brings itself indoors. And the action is all at Hilton Coliseum.

Throughout the next few months, the women’s basketball team, the men’s basketball team and the wrestling team will be the spotlight on the Hilton floor as they compete with experience and heart.

The men’s basketball team is coming from a winning season capped with the last Big 8 Conference championship title.

The team is ranked No. 11 in the nation, according to the latest Associated Press standings.

The women’s basketball team is one of the best ISU has ever had.

It came off a 12-game winning streak last year at the beginning of the season thanks to second-year ISU Bill Fennelly, who turned the Cyclone women’s basketball program into a success.

If the team competitions aren’t enough, there is always the individual matches to hold your breath for.

The wrestling team is ranked No. 2 in the nation. This is partly thanks to Chris Bono, who was the 1996 NCAA wrestling champion at 150 pounds.

These are the men and women who will bring the spirit into a Cyclone and lift those Cyclone spirits.

These men and women are our fellow students.

They will amaze you on the basketball court or the wrestling mat like you’ve never seen.

So this winter, when your spirits are down, go support and cheer on these student athletes because there is no better time to be an Iowa State Cyclone than now.