Iowa State Swimming and Diving looks to pick up two more road wins on Friday and Saturday against two South Dakota schools.

The Cyclones will face South Dakota State on Friday and South Dakota Saturday. Last year, Iowa State competed in two road duals all season, now, the Cyclones have two road duals in one weekend.

The travel schedule, while grueling, is a great opportunity for the Cyclones to prepare for the Big 12 championships, which take place on back to back days, according to Iowa State head coach Duane Sorenson. 

“It’s a little grueling, but I want our women to find out is not going to be easy and nobody cares if they’re tired or not. They still have to get up and race,” Sorenson said. 

The travel will be new for some underclassmen, however, senior and team captain Lucia Rizzo is embracing the return of team bus trips. 

“It’ll be a big change for a lot of the girls here, we haven’t done a big trip like this in a couple of years. It should be really fun,” Rizzo said. “Lots of team bonding.”

The Cyclones will first travel to Brookings to face South Dakota State Friday at 5 pm. The Jackrabbits are 1-1 so far this season. The Cyclones last faced the South Dakota State all the way back in Oct. 2018 with Iowa State winning the matchup 190.5-81.5.

South Dakota State sprinter Elisabeth Timmer broke a pool-record in the 50-yard freestyle on Oct. 8. Timmer picked up four wins for the Jackrabbits and was honored as the Summit League women’s swimmer of the week. 

Iowa State freshman Carley Caughron will compete with Timmer head to head in the 50-yard free. 

“Carly has had really impressive swims.” senior Martha Hass said. “She is just someone who is fiercely competitive, and that shows in the water.”

After competing Friday evening, the Cyclones will make the nearly two-hour drive from Brookings to Vermillion to face South Dakota. Iowa State is 13-0 all time against South Dakota with the Cyclones sweeping all 16 events in Nov. 2019 when the teams last met.

South Dakota’s home pool presents a unique challenge for the Cyclones. The pool is 25 meters. Most pools the Cyclones will compete in are 25 yards. The difference of about a yard and a half will effect the Cyclones’ stroke rates and turns, according to Sorenson. 

“I’m okay with it because that makes us have to fight that much harder,” Sorenson said.

Sorenson comes off his 125th career win, however, that’s not something he keeps track off. 

“I didn’t know until I was told.” Sorenson said. “I’ve had a lot of great swimmers over the years to get me those 125 wins.”

Competition will begin Friday at 5 p.m. against South Dakota State and 1 pm the following day against South Dakota.