The excitement of an intrastate rivalry promises to pack the pool tonight at the men’s dual swim meet against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“I would say it is the biggest dual meet of the season for us,” said senior swimmer Greg Wolniak.

Both coaches agreed that the home pool advantage will be a factor in the meet.

“When we swim at Iowa State they have a big advantage. They get very psyched up and motivated. We understand that they try to get a big crowd,” said Iowa head swimming coach Glenn Patton. “We’re expecting to walk into a real lion’s den.”

Each coach shares a similar opinion on who is the favorite in the meet.

“On paper right now, based on what we know about them, and our times versus their times, I think we’re a slight favorite by maybe six points,” said ISU head coach Trip Hendrick.

Coach Patton was more decisive on the subject.

“ISU is clearly the favorite,” he said. “We lost the heart of our team last year. We lost five NCAA All-Americans to graduation.”

Hendrick pointed out the strength of Iowa is the diving.

“Our biggest concern is their divers. Their diving is extremely strong with one returning All-American and another that should score at NCAA’s this year. They are two of the best we’ll see all year. Our challenge will be to counter their diving points,” Hendrick said.

Both coaches agreed that the key races will be the two relays, specifically the 400-medley and 400-free.

“The outcome of the meet will be decided by the top athletes from Iowa State getting up and racing the top athletes from Iowa,” Patton said.

The meet will take place tonight at 7 p.m. in Beyer Hall. The women will also be swimming at Iowa this weekend. Iowa head swimming coach Trish Meyer feels the Hawkeyes will have a slight advantage.

“This weekend is our parents weekend and also the senior meet. It is our last home meet so our seniors should be up and ready to swim fast,” Meyer said. “We’ve had a tough schedule so far and we’re definitely ready to win a dual meet.”

With a current record of 1-5, Meyer said her team is definitely hoping to be 2-5 after this weekend

Meyer was very hesitant to dismiss the Cyclones as a threat.

“Well, I think that if we were to look at last week’s meet alone, we should come out on top. But knowing how Iowa State prepares for this meet, I’m not discounting anything,” Meyer said.

Iowa State will have to be up for the test, both physically and mentally.

“It all depends on our mental, focus which has to be needle-point sharp,” said ISU head women’s swimming coach Ramsey Van Horn.

“It’s probably going to come down to the last relay. There’s no one place that we have three outstanding swimmers ahead of theirs. Depth is going to be a big factor. Even if you win and they get second, third and fourth, that can almost equal what you did with a win,” Van Horn said.