Seniors prepare for last home meet

After four years of grueling workouts and countless hours devoted to their sport, the seniors of the women's swimming and diving teams reach the end of their season. The seven swimmers and two divers look to capture one more win at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center before post-season competition begins.\nCoach Dorsey Tierney said she is excited for her seniors, who are her first recruiting class in her tenure at IU. But she said there is still plenty of work left to do in preparation for the Big Ten Championships. \n"The seniors have been outstanding," Tierney said. "From day one, they have been so energetic, committed and extremely loyal, something that has influenced the entire team."\nAn Academic All-Big Ten honoree, senior Kristy Martin, swims two of the most arduous events in collegiate swimming, the 200 fly and 400 IM. But said she is excited about the next few weeks to come.\n"I don't feel like it's the end," Martin said. "It still hasn't hit me."\nMartin looks to improve on an impressive showing at the 2002 Big Ten Championships. She finished second to fellow Hoosier junior Brooke Taflinger in the 400-yard IM and was second in the 200-yard fly. Martin helped the Hoosiers by scoring a total of 43 points in individual events.\n"When I first came to IU, our team finished seventh in the Big Ten," Martin said. "Since I've been here, we've gone from seventh to first place. The team has changed so much since my first year. I am so proud to be a part of it."\nMaggie Helmers is another senior who has witnessed the evolution of the Hoosier swimming program over the past four years. A swimmer who has improved greatly from her freshman season, Helmers has found her place as a "utility swimmer." \n"I have three weeks until (the Big Ten Championships), a.k.a my last meet and retirement," Helmers said. "I want to go out with a bang."\nAs a junior, Helmers finished 14th in the 200-yard butterfly and 16th in the 400-yard individual medley at the Big Ten Championships.\nIn order to "go out with a bang," Tierney said the team must focus attention to the little things as they head into the last month of competition.\n"We need to fine-tune the smaller aspects of our races," Tierney said. "Things like our starts, turns need work. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to the progression in preparation for the Big Ten (Championships). Our conditioning has been great, and we are technically sound. But we need to focus on the implementation of details when we race."\nThe Hoosiers, (7-1, 5-1 Big Ten), suffered their only loss of the season against Penn State on Jan. 25. This weekend's clash with the Kentucky Wildcats is their first opportunity to rebound with a win since the season's only blemish.\n"We're past (the loss), hopefully," Tierney said. "We are still getting healthier from the flu some had, but we are ready to get in and race."\nThe Hoosiers depth and speed could be too much for the visiting Kentucky squad. But both Coach Tierney and the seniors said they look forward to the meet as both a way to end their career in Bloomington and as a way to tune-up for championship competition.\nThe seniors begin the defense of their pool at 5 p.m. on Friday.