Ball State University Athletics

Photo by: Madeline Howell/Ball State Athletics
Women's S&D Earn a Pair of Weekly Awards
November 11, 2025 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Cleveland, Ohio – After a weekend of sweeps and pool records inside their home Lewellen Aquatic Center, senior Payton Kelly and graduate student Grace Walker have been selected as the Mid-American Conference's Swimmer and Diver of the Week, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon.
Kelly earned her sixth-career swimmer of the week selection after picking up three individual event wins in the 100 backstroke (55.41), 50 freestyle (23.05) and 100 freestyle (50.29) versus Ohio (Nov. 7) and Bellarmine (Nov. 8). Her winning times in those events also serve as brand new Lewellen Pool standards. Kelly also made contributions to the winning 200 Medley Relay (1:44.92), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:34.17), and 400 Freestyle Relay (3:34.19) teams.
Walker captured an NCAA Zone Diving qualifying score on the 3-meter board (298.65) versus Ohio, placing first against the Bobcats. She then completed her first sweep of the weekend after scoring 273.90 on the 1-meter later that evening. Versus UIndy a day later, as part of a non-scored diving dual meet, Walker earned season highs on both the 1M (286.20) and 3M (305.05), Sweeping the boards yet again. Her score on the 3M placed her ninth in program history.
The women's swimming and diving program next compete at the House of Champions Nov. 20-22, hosted by IU Indy.
Kelly earned her sixth-career swimmer of the week selection after picking up three individual event wins in the 100 backstroke (55.41), 50 freestyle (23.05) and 100 freestyle (50.29) versus Ohio (Nov. 7) and Bellarmine (Nov. 8). Her winning times in those events also serve as brand new Lewellen Pool standards. Kelly also made contributions to the winning 200 Medley Relay (1:44.92), 200 Freestyle Relay (1:34.17), and 400 Freestyle Relay (3:34.19) teams.
Walker captured an NCAA Zone Diving qualifying score on the 3-meter board (298.65) versus Ohio, placing first against the Bobcats. She then completed her first sweep of the weekend after scoring 273.90 on the 1-meter later that evening. Versus UIndy a day later, as part of a non-scored diving dual meet, Walker earned season highs on both the 1M (286.20) and 3M (305.05), Sweeping the boards yet again. Her score on the 3M placed her ninth in program history.
The women's swimming and diving program next compete at the House of Champions Nov. 20-22, hosted by IU Indy.
Players Mentioned
Sports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Sports Link: Zach Shaddy (Diving)
Tuesday, January 13
Sports Link: Hungry To Win (Malcolm Slater)
Thursday, January 08

