Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1181392
35 F ollowing the 2018-19 season, the University of Iowa swimming and diving program lost an impactful senior class. e Hawkeyes responded by welcoming the largest recruiting class in program history to campus. Iowa added 21 student-athletes — 17 women and four men — to the 2019-20 roster, all who have seen competition time in the pool so far this season. e group has helped the Hawkeyes to dual wins over Michigan State, Northern Iowa, and No. 25 Minnesota, and the freshmen have been impactful. "I think the freshmen have improved the team," said Millie Sansome, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Oct. 9. "e coaches have said the atmosphere of the team has changed since we've arrived. at lets us know we're all on the right track." Despite 40 percent of the overall team being new this season, along with two new assistant coaches, an old spirit has been revived of what it means to be a Hawkeye. "Overall I think we brought back that old team spirit that I saw during my brother's freshman year," said Will Myhre, freshman and brother of senior Joe Myhre. "It feels good to have that atmosphere around the team and have people I know I can trust by my side. "Having support from the upperclassmen, not only in the pool but with little things around campus, has helped the transition into college for all of us." Myhre holds the top spot among the team in the breaststroke events, while Mohamed Neuman and Michael Huebner have shown promise on the springboards. On the women's side, Sansome, Aleksandra Olesiak, and a handful of others have ranked at the top or second in events across the board for the Hawkeyes. "Having an impact on the men's team is tough because there are only four of us," freshman backstroker Preston Planells said. "We aim to make sure we're doing our part and having an impact every day in practice." With so many new faces in the program, the upperclassmen have had to lead by example. "e upperclassmen have taught us that we can't slack at all," Planells said. "e atmosphere with the men's team is great right now and that has motivated us freshmen. e women's side has done a great job as well. It's admirable that they all know what their goals are. You can tell that with each practice all the girls are fighting to make an impact for the team." NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 1 Michigan (W) Nov. 2 at Indiana/vs. Michigan (M) Nov. 8 Rutgers (W)