After a tough loss to Nebraska on Oct. 9, the ISU swimming and diving team is looking to add a mark in the win column this weekend.

The Cyclones will host Omaha at 6 p.m. Friday at the Beyer Hall pool in their second meet of the year, and they’re looking for something extra.

“They might not be as fast as us, but this meet will boost our confidence to come back from losing to Nebraska,” said senior Kaylee Kucera.

The diving team is looking for consistency out of this meet as well.

“I think in the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen a big change in most of their dives, real good improvements,” said diving coach Jeff Warrick. “What I’m looking for is to see those changes in the meets and not just in practice.”

The team has had three weeks off since its last meet, a 187-113 loss to Nebraska, to prepare for Friday’s outing. But head coach Duane Sorenson, who is just three wins away from his 100th victory at Iowa State, is already looking toward the end of February in practice.

“Our preparation is really geared towards the Big 12 Championships at the end of February,” Sorenson said. “So each week we take the meet as a learning experience and try to stand up and race, but our training cycle is geared towards the Big 12.”

The team has turned its focus to fixing up minor improvements this past week leading into Friday, in the hopes of creating the extra boost necessary to capture the first team win of the season.

“I think it’s important to focus on the little things in practice,” Kucera said. “For me personally, it’s my turns. Starts, turns and the little technique things about your strokes. That way when you come to a race you don’t have to think about it. It all just comes together.”