In the grand scheme of things, the Kansas University swimming and diving team’s 196-99 dual victory Saturday over Iowa State won’t have as enormous an impact on the season as the upcoming Big 12 Conference and NCAA championships.
But for the Jayhawks to get their first Big 12 dual victory in five tries at home on senior day — at the tail end of a rigorous week of training — makes the victory at Robinson Natatorium extremely rewarding.
“I think it meant a lot to all of us, especially the seniors, to go out on top, finish strong and put a good end to our career,” senior Miranda Isaac said. “Also, it’s important for our team because we really needed that Big 12 victory.”
Since it came just before the Big 12 championships later this month at Texas A&M, Saturday’s victory could serve as a strong springboard for the stretch run of the season. The senior tears already have been shed, the intense training of the “crash cycle” period for KU is wrapping up, and the 26 Jayhawks traveling Feb. 23 to College Station, Texas, expect to be stronger, more energized and more businesslike.
It means — if the training works like it should — that the Jayhawks’ times will drop even lower than they were Saturday, when KU won 14 of the 16 events, including the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.
“I don’t think we can underestimate how prepared this team is to swim fast at the end of February,” KU coach Clark Campbell said. “I’m amazed at how all 23 swimmers and three divers are right where they need to be. There’s been very few seasons as a college coach that I’ve had that.”
Fittingly, the six seniors — Isaac, Aly Colver, Amy Gruber, Katie Knighton, Jackie Krueger and Becca Zarazan — were among the most valuable swimmers Saturday. Gruber and Isaac each won two individual events, and Zarazan added a victory in the 200-yard butterfly. In addition, four of the six seniors were among the top two 200-medley relay teams that started the day strong.
“We all love each other, and we’re good friends,” Isaac said. “We want to see each other do well. It was really fun to win and go out strong with my girls.”
With two weeks to go before the Big 12 Championships, KU will continue training and taper off just before the big meet to maximize potential.
From what Campbell sees, expecting the very best might not be much of a stretch.
“We’re carrying a lot of momentum,” Campbell said. “This team is really set up to have a really special end of February.”
