This is the fourth article of a four-part series previewing the Iowa State swimming and diving team going into the 2009-10 season. The season kicks off Friday at the annual intrasquad meet at 6 p.m. at Beyer Pool. Admission is free.
AMES, Iowa- Senior diver Tien Tran was one of four Big 12 women’s divers to lock up All-Big 12 honors in 1-meter, 3-meter and platform diving last season. She also moved up the Cyclones’ all-time list for all three last season, including breaking the school record on 3-meter. Diving coach Jeff Warrick is still finding ways to improve his star diver.
“We have been working on her twister,” Warrick said. “We have been taking apart the dive and changing technique on that dive and hopefully putting it back together.”
Warrick also noted that Tran is taking over as a leader in her final season.
“She’s done a really good job with that aspect and I know it is going to continue.”
With the departure of Kali Fryklund, ISU is in search of a new number two diver. Junior Abby Christensen along with sophomores Jenn Botsch and Sarah Nelson all contributed team points for the Cyclones at last season’s Big 12 Championships. Sophomore and Ames native Lauren Naeve also looks to make an impact.
“There are several divers who have a chance to become our number two diver,” Warrick said. “It is a little board-by-board. Abby is looking really good on 1-meter and she will be a contender on one and three-meter. Sarah will be a contender on 1-meter, Jenn’s strength is on the 3-meter but her 1-meter is improving too and Lauren’s strength right now is on 3-meter as well.”
Iowa State also sees another Ames native enter the diving well. Marley Dobyns is coming off of a second-place finish at the state championships last season. Warrick thinks that the first few meets are going to be a learning experience for the freshman.
“With Marley we are going to have to see, she is doing well right now,” Warrick said. “She has quite a few dives to learn to get at that competitive level, yet she has some dives that are competitive and ready to go. It is kind of looking more long-term for her, we are going to have to wait and see what comes around in the second semester.”
