When Julie Dickinson received the Big 12 Diver of the Year award on Oct. 21, a familiar feeling struck her. 

It wasn’t the first time she won the award, getting it in the 2014-15 season, but the feeling of excitement never faded.

“I really did not expect it at all,” Dickinson said. “It was exciting, though. It boosted my confidence and pushed me forward.”

In the first meet of the season, Dickinson took third place in the 1-meter diving competition and fourth place in the 3-meter.

“I think on 3-meter, I could’ve done better, but I like how I stepped up on 1-meter,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson believes these past weeks of practice, since the first meet of the season, have boosted the team.

The team has been working on repetitions of dives. Dickinson has been particularly working on reverse twist dives and has three new dives, two on the 3-meter board and one new dive on the 1-meter board.

“My [degree of difficulty] has gone up a lot these past two weeks, so that’s exciting,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson hopes to place again in the Big 12 Championship and make the finals at the NCAA Zone Diving Championship in early March.

“I hope by the end of my four years, I can have a chance at [an NCAA Championship],” Dickinson said.

ISU swimming and diving has its home opener at 6 p.m. Friday against Omaha.