The Iowa State men’s and women’s swim teams are coming off successful seasons last year.

The women set ten school records, placed fourth in the conference meet, had four NCAA qualifiers, and were 13th in the nation in academic honors in the fall and eighth in the spring.

The men placed 20th at nationals, won the Big Eight Conference, shattered several school records and had seven swimmers become All-Americans.

Both teams feel they have the talent and drive to be just as competitive this year.

Men’s Coach Trip Hedrick is optimistic about the upcoming season even though the team lost several members from last year’s squad. Some to graduation and two swimmers will be taking a year off to train for the Olympics.

“We lost a good nucleus of senior leaders last year, but this year’s seniors are stepping into the same roles,” Hedrick said.

He pointed to an excellent returning nucleus, including three All-Americans, as well as this year’s recruiting class.

“Top to bottom this recruiting class is one of the most talented groups we’ve gotten in,” Hedrick said.

When asked what the team goals for the season are, co-captain Paul Slotemaker said, “Of course to repeat [as Big Eight champs].”

“Our focus is to repeat. If we can perform like we did last year, it’s in our power to win the meet,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick said he will miss the underdog role that his team had last year.

“This year we will be in a different role. People will be out to get us,” he said.

Kansas and Nebraska look to be their competition for the title, Hedrick said.

Hedrick said he feels the team is ready and in good shape for the season.

“We have so much talent in the pool and the guys are so competitive it’s making a wonderful training situation for everybody,” he said.

On the women’s side the goals are a little bit different, according to women’s coach Ramsey Van Horn.

“The number one goal is to bond as a team. Even though it’s an individual sport the aspect of team carries us through the daily toils,” he said.

Van Horn said the relays have been cracked pretty badly by the loss of several key performers and others will have to step up. He pointed to Tea Cerkvenik and Julie Bancroft as two of those athletes.

Team captains this year are Tanya Henkel, Robin MacAllister and Cindy Saylor, but a talented group of sophomores and juniors will provide leadership as well.

“Julie Owen, Patricia Cazcarro, Brooke Larsen and Lindsay Tempel are all swimmers that will develop as time goes on,” Van Horn said.

He said he is also excited about the diving squad.

“We have four exceptional divers: Erin Cowan, Aleisha Kraft, Jamie Owens, and Janine Paskiewicz,” Van Horn said.

The women’s schedule is very competitive this year. The team will compete against all Div. I teams. In the Big Eight Conference they look to be in contention for third along with three other teams.

Van Horn said right now the team looks “tired.” They have been training extremely hard in the pre-season. They have been having three weight workouts, three running workouts and six water workouts a week.