Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/896242
109 T he University of Iowa swimming and diving team's strong start to 2017-18 has it hungry for more. "e teams have been working hard," said Iowa head coach Marc Long. "Like any sport, you want to be competing and scoring at NCAAs and going for titles in the Big Ten. ose are our general goals to get people in those types of positions." e Hawkeyes have two home meets under their belt. Iowa started 3-0 with victories over Michigan State and Northern Iowa on Oct. 5-6. e Hawkeye men then downed 21st ranked Minnesota, 162-138, on Oct. 27. "We have good, young kids on the men's and women's side in the diving well, they are a hungry bunch," said Long. "We have the same thing with the swimmers; we have great senior leadership and a great young bunch." e senior leadership has proven to be strong in the pool. Iowa returns 21 letterwinners this season and added 16 new faces. Senior Mekenna Scheitlin is one of those seniors leading the Hawkeyes. Scheitlin returns as the top performer in the 100 fly; she recorded a season and career-best time of 53.95 at the Ohio State Invitational one year ago. "I am looking forward to fast racing this season," said Scheitlin. "I am excited to get in and compete at Big Tens. I know this team has a lot of fast racing in them." ere is as much excitement in the diving well. "Last year I felt we had a good season; we want to repeat that and do better," said Iowa diving coach Todd Waikel. "at means putting them into contention at Big Tens and NCAAs. Our team looks different this year; we've lost some veterans, but we have new blood that has quite the diving resume." One newcomer has already proven to be comfortable competing at the collegiate level. Freshman Anton Hoherz is off to a quick start. He leads the Hawkeyes on the men's side with a 383.50 — a career best on the 3-meter. e score ranks third all- time in school history. "ere is a certain amount of comfortableness competing at home, which we have been fortunate to do starting the season," said Hoherz. "I think this season will go well, my confidence has improved a ton, and I have worked on being comfortable with all my dives." "For the past six weeks we've been working on a set of skills," said Waikel. "We want to focus on the things we've been working on in practice. We want to keep advancing and keep climbing the mountain." e Hawkeyes return to action in West Lafayette, Indiana, for a dual against Purdue on Nov. 3. NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 3 at Purdue Nov. 9-11 at Minnesota Diving Invitational Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at Minnesota Jean Freeman Invitational