MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — They are finally here — the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic swimming and diving championships.

The Saint Mary's University swimming and diving team, which has been gearing up for this all season long, has an exciting journey ahead as they travel to the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Center for the three-day conference championships.

Cardinal coach Eric Lindquist has spent the preceding five months of the season preparing his team for this event, and is expectations are high.

“Our goal every year is 100% season-best, if not personal-best, swims and dives — and typically, we are very close to that,” Lindquist said. “Additionally, we want to put as many points together as possible. We want to improve our point totals every year and beat as many teams as we can.”

And with virtually the same squad as a year ago — although another year older and another year wiser ­— Lindquist feels this year's teams are prepared to turn some heads.

Among those looking to make the biggest splash are seniors Tom Walsh (Prior Lake, Minn.), Jennifer Salzman (Hilo, Hawaii), Courtney Keyler (Shorewood, Minn.), and John Fox (Winona, Minn.). Fox will be looking for a repeat performance of a year ago, when he became the first swimmer in SMU history to individually qualify for the NCAA national championships, placing second in the 100 breaststroke. Liz Flynn (Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Andrew Noyes (Eden Prairie, Minn) are also coming off solid seasons and are looking to strut their stuff in the diving competitions.

The team has spent the last five months practicing twice a day and has dedicated many hours preparing for the competition. According to Lindquist, the team has been focusing more on weight training this season as well as numerous hours in the pool.

“Swimming is a grueling sport,” Lindquist said. “We train nearly every day we are not competing and with nearly a five-month-long season, it can be tough to focus for that much training.  It's our job as coaches to keep things fresh and creative.”