Swimmers' hard work to culminate today

The time has come. \nAfter a year of training and constant preparation for 11 teams, the Big Ten Women's Swimming and Diving Championships begins today at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center in the Student Recreational Sports Center. \nThe Hoosiers have had this weekend in mind all season, and now it is finally here, coach Dorsey Tierney said. \nThe first round of preliminaries will begin 11 a.m. today and run through Saturday night. \nAfter two years at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, the conference clash returns to Bloomington. The last time IU played host to the meet was 1998. Senior All-American Jenn Cristy was a freshman that year and said she remembers the energy and excitement in the air as nothing short of electric. Cristy tied for first at the 1998 Big Ten Championships in the 50-yard freestyle.\n"I remember all of the parents (of swimmers) fighting for seats," Cristy said. "There's not enough room up there, so it was standing room only, if that. It's amazing how many people were here. It was so loud and so intense. I love that meet atmosphere."\nThe fact that a majority of the cheering section will be wearing cream and crimson will provide the Hoosiers with helpful momentum, Cristy said. \nThis season's Big Ten Conference is one filled with depth and competition -- all culminating at this weekend's meet, Tierney said. Of the 11 teams participating in the meet, six are ranked among the nation's top 25, including IU, who sits at No. 21. \nOther ranked teams include Wisconsin (No. 13), Penn State (No. 14), Michigan (No. 16), Northwestern (No. 18) and the two-time defending Big Ten Champions, Minnesota (No. 19).\nIU has faced two of these teams, Northwestern and Penn State, and went 1-1 in dual competition. IU upset Northwestern but fell to the Lady Lions in the final dual meet of the season. It was the Hoosiers' only loss. \nThe amount of talent supporting each of the 11 teams could make the three-day competition wait until late Saturday night to crown a champion, Tierney said.\nThe relays might be the deciding factor in such a close competition. These events are worth the most points and will give the teams an opportunity to pool their individual standouts in a group effort that stresses team output.\nTierney has been stressing team unity by trying to limit any outside distractions that could compromise the focus on the meet. Aside from the team concept, she said she is encouraging her swimmers to think about their own personal approach.\n"We're talking more about strategy as opposed to winning or losing, just focusing on themselves and their own strategy in racing and trying to keep any outside influences away from them," Tierney said.\nSophomore Coleen McCracken said Tierney has been helping to calm the nerves of any anxious swimmers.\n"If you're getting antsy about the meet, you can talk to her and she'll relax you," McCracken said. "She's really good about keeping us calm and not getting us too excited about the meet, because getting too excited right now is kind of shooting yourself in the foot."\nThis idea of remaining relaxed yet focused and confident is important, Tierney said. As the first swimmers spring off the starting block today, all of the energy built up during the year will be released in the Hoosiers' wake, as they swim for a conference title.\n"It's going to be so awesome," McCracken said. "I don't want to jinx anything, but I can't wait. It's going to be special"