Hoosier sports give a lot to look forward to in season's Big Ten competition

Big Ten competition has begun, so it is time to look at Indiana athletics and how they should fare this season.
The IU football team is coming off a rough 1-11 season during IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s first year, but things are looking up. Despite the injury to sophomore quarterback Tre Roberson, the Hoosiers are off to a 2-0 start.
Sophomore quarterback Cam Coffman will step in and lead a young offense with freshman Tevin Coleman at running back. Coleman has received high praise from Wilson and has been compared to Adrian Peterson.
During time, this team will mature, but for now, they’re still in a transitional period and should expect a 4-8 season.
In men’s soccer, the Hoosiers will be relying on sophomore forward Eriq Zavaleta to be the go-to guy.
Zavaleta was the only double-digit goal scorer on the team last year as a freshman so big things are expected of him this year.
Senior goaltender Luis Soffner has been reliable in the past and will need to keep up his level of play if the Hoosiers want to compete for their eighth title.
Expectations for this team are not glowing like in past years, but the Hoosiers haven’t missed the tournament since 1986, so expect them to keep the streak going.
Women’s soccer is coming off a rough 6-12-1 season, going just 2-9 in the Big Ten.
The girl to look out for this year is junior midfielder Lisa Nouanesengsy. She posted six goals last year and is off to a hot start this year, scoring five times in the first six games.
Senior Olympian Orianca Velasquez will also be a big part of this team as its main striker.
Playing for IU Coach Mick Lyon, this team hasn’t seen the brightest days. They have never been a dominant team, but they are never at the bottom of the pack either.
Things are looking up for this team though, so expect approximately a .500 season.
The men’s swimming and diving team ranks preseason No. 11 and have high hopes with the return of junior
Eric Ress. He missed last season due to Olympic trials and his return will be huge. He holds the school record in multiple swimming events and should be the leading scorer on a team that can compete for the national championship.
Women’s swimming and diving is a different story.
While almost the entire men’s team returns, 61 percent of the points from the women’s swimming and diving team graduated last year.
This will be a transitional year, but there are some bright spots on the team including sophomore Dorina Szekeres, who competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games this summer.
The men’s track and field team is one of the best in years. Two athletes on this team stand out.
Senior Derek Drouin won a bronze medal in the high jump in the Olympics and is a national favorite in the event.
Senior Andy Bayer, who is also a member of the cross country team, is already establishing himself again this season as a premiere distance runner.
The women’s team was impressive last year and much of that should hold true again this season.
Despite the graduation of shot putter Faith Sherrill, the women’s team still has senior Courtney Woodard, who is a favorite to win several events including javelin and shot put.
IU should feel confident about athletics this year and its chances in the Big Ten.

­— zstavis@indiana.edu