Men Swim Past Xavier at Butler Invite

FISHERS, Ind. - - The Ball State men's swimming program improved to 3-0 on the season by defeating Xavier 827.5-738.5 Sunday afternoon at the Butler Invitational.

"The men came ready to race," said Ball State head coach J. Agnew. "This year we've felt like we've been trying to play catch-up since COVID hit. Now we feel like we are taking steps forward again as a team."

The Cardinals won nine of 14 events, with freshman Joey Garberick and sophomore Owen Chaye leading the way with two individual victories each.

Senior Drew Weeks (200 free – 1:42.44), freshman Jackson Ketcham (200 fly – 1:54.84), sophomore Aiden Maurer (500 free – 4:44.02), and junior Duncan McLarty (100 fly – 51.33) also contributed with one individual win apiece.

Garberick swept both breaststroke events as he improved to second in program history with a time of 55.19 in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in program history with a time of 2:03.57 in the 200 breaststroke.

"Joey trains as hard as anyone in the pool," Agnew said. "Watching what he's been doing in practice, today's results weren't necessarily surprising but they are exciting. The 200 breast was a big drop for Joey and it's nice to see him bring home a strong back half. We are excited to see what he can do at the MAC Championships in April!"

Chaye also landed a spot in the Ball State record book, as he won the 100 free (45.54) and improved to ninth in program history. He also won the 50 free with a time of 20.85 which is .04 off his lifetime best.

"Owen is swimming with a lot of confidence right now," Agnew said. "As a freshman last year, the training and level of racing were a big jump from what he experienced in high school and club swimming. This year he's not just trying to survive in practice, he's trying to execute at a high level. His details are better and he's much more aggressive taking out his races."

Both Garberick and Chaye helped the Cardinals open the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay (1:32.80). Maurer swam the opening leg, followed by Garberick, sophomore Bryce Handshoe and Chaye.

In trial action, freshman Zach Zishka clocked the ninth-fastest time in program history in the 400 IM, touching the wall in 4:05.83.

"This was a great mid-season check for our men," Agnew concluded. "We have a lot of good racing ahead of us and seven weeks of training before we start to taper down for the MAC Championship. We are going to need to make the most of this time if we are going to move up the ladder against our MAC rivals!"

The Ball State men's team brings the action back home Saturday, Feb. 20, when it faces off against Southern Illinois at 3 p.m.

For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State swimming and diving program follow:
Twitter - @BallStateSwim & @BallStateSports
Instagram - @ballstateswimanddive & @ballstatesports

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Players Mentioned

Owen Chaye

Joey Garberick

Bryce Handshoe

Jackson Ketcham

Aiden Maurer

Duncan McLarty

Drew Weeks

Zach Zishka