Ball State University Athletics
Swimming & Diving Sweeps MAC Weekly Awards
December 15, 2009 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For the second time this season, the Ball State swimming & diving programs have swept the league's weekly awards, as men's senior Adam Dale (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg H.S.) and women's junior Katie Bylsma (Westfield, Ind./Pinckney H.S.) were each named Mid-American Conference Swimmer of the Week.
On the men's side, the Cardinals have claimed the last three MAC weekly awards as senior Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial H.S.) and sophomore Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) earned the honor Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, respectively.
On the women's side, this is BSU's second MAC Swimmer of the Week in the last three voting periods, as sophomore Elizabeth Spilman (Bristol, Ind./Northridge H.S.) joined Battjes from the men's squad to sweep the Nov. 24 awards.
Dale, who earns MAC Swimmer of the Week accolades for the first time in his career, led Ball State with a pair of individual victories in last Saturday's meet versus Michigan State. Dale swept the backstroke events, scoring Ball State's best time of the season in the 100 (53.35), while adding a season-best effort in the 200 (1:54.10).
"This is quite an honor for Adam," said Ball State men's head coach Bob Thomas. "He has worked extremely hard over his four-year career, and this is quite a reward for the effort he has put forward."
Dale's 200 backstroke time currently ranks ninth in the league, while his 100 time tied for 12th. In Saturday's meet vs. Michigan State, Dale was also part of a 200 medley relay exhibition that turned in a time of 1:40.20.
Bylsma, who also picks up her first MAC weekly honor, chalking up four first-place finishes in last Saturday's near upset of Michigan State. She opened the meet by swimming anchor for the first-place 200 medley relay that turned in a Ball State season-best time of 1:48,73. She continued the day by sweeping the sprint freestyle events.
"Katie has been really focused this year and is doing a tremendous job at practice and meets," said Ball State women's head coach Laura Seibold-Caudill. "She entered the season with a set of goals to accomplish and earning MAC Swimmer of the Week was one of them. Katie is a very upbeat individual and is a joy to work with."
In her first individual event, Bylsma posted a season-best time of 1:55.89 in the 200 free. She followed with another season-best clocking of 24.39 in the 50 free, while finishing the day with a swim of 53.52 in the 100 freestyle. In all, Bylsma accounted for 38 of the Cardinals points in the meet.
The Ball State men's and women's swimming & diving teams returns to action Jan. 8, when they host the Ball State Relay Invitational at the Lewellen Aquatic Center. The meet is set to start at noon.
Players Mentioned
