Completed Event: Swimming and Diving versus Big 12 Duals on January 16, 2026 , , 5th, 781 points
Final
Swimming and Diving
Big 12 Duals
5th, 781 points
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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Set For Big 12 Championships
02.26.2008 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State swimming and diving team will be in Austin, Texas this weekend competing in the Big 12 Championships at the University of Texas.
The Cyclones are looking to top last year's sixth-place performance, which saw two divers and one swimmer move on to the NCAA Championship.
“We want everybody to get lifetime bests and best scores,” said Iowa State head coach Duane Sorenson. “So that is our main focus since we can only control what we can do in the water.”
Last year at Big 12's, the team saw a number of strong performances from both current and former Cyclones.
Junior Marni Benson earned six points for the Cyclones by finishing 11th in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.90). Benson has looked strong all season, swimming to seven first-place individual finishes and three top finishes on relay teams.
Sophomores Abby Glaser and Frances Calzada last year helped their 400 freestyle relay team to a third-place finish (3.24.89) and earned a spot on the NCAA consideration list. In the 100 freestyle Glaser (51.88) and Calzada (52.16) took 12th and 15th, respectively.
“Abby Glaser is a returning all Big-12 honorable mention and I think she can repeat that and actually move up to be all-Big 12,” said Sorenson. “Marni Benson has really been looking good in the water, so we think she can pop off a good time.”
Many of the Cyclone freshmen have shown progress this season. Jeli Nixt took first place in the 100 breaststroke against UNI and Iowa. Jenny Vondenkamp has captured a top-three finish in every 500 free race.
“Many of our freshmen have looked strong, but you never know how they are going to respond under pressure,” said Sorenson.
On the boards last year, sophomore Tien Tran competed in the 1-meter (14th, 233.50), 3-meter (eighth, 267.45) and platform (ninth, 195.15). Tran's efforts were rewarded by a trip to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. This season Tran has set new personal bests in both the 1-meter (287.70) and 3-meter (298.45) dive.
“Individually, with both Tien and Kali (Fryklund) we have high expectations for them,” said diving coach Jeff Warrick. “Tien made finals on the 3-meter last year and this year she's got a good chance of reaching the finals in all three events.”
The Cyclones depart Tuesday for Austin with action beginning February 27. Live results will be available at Cyclones.com.
Players Mentioned
Breast/IM
/ Swimming and DivingBreast/Free
/ Swimming and Diving
Sprint
/ Swimming and DivingSprint
/ Swimming and Diving
Sprint Free/Fly
/ Swimming and DivingSprint Free/Fly
/ Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and DivingDiving
/ Swimming and Diving
Back/Free
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