Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, January 17
Muncie, IN
11 am
Ball State University
vs
Buffalo
Women's S&D Hosts Buffalo Saturday Morning
January 16, 2026 | Women's Swimming and Diving
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State women's swimming & diving program is back in action Saturday, Jan. 17 as the team hosts the Buffalo Bulls for a Mid-American Conference showdown inside the Lewellen Aquatic Center. The meet is slated to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
The women's squad last competed at House of Champions (Nov. 20-22), taking first place out of the field of 13 teams. Senior Payton Kelly led the Cardinals' effort with five individual victories. Her winning performances included new program standards in the 100 Freestyle (48.60) and 100 Backstroke (52.86). After the three-day event, Kelly now holds 11 individual event wins this season.
Grace Walker continued her dominate run this season on the diving boards, leaving the IU Natatorium with wins on the 1-Meter (281.20) and 3-Meter (273.20) boards, as well as platform (246.05). Walker currently boasts seven event wins so far in the 2025-26 season.
Other Cardinals with wins during House of Champions include Anna Keen in the 50 Butterfly (23.57) and 100 individual Medley (54.71), Addy Czarnecki in the 1650 Freestyle (16:51.96), Alexa Von Holtz in the 200 butterfly (1:58.54) and Ava Butterfield in the 200 Backstroke (1:57.93). Butterfield's time in the 200 back set a program record.
Ball State managed to sweep the relay events throughout House of Champions, taking five wins, and combining for new program records in the 200 Freestyle (1:30.78), 400 Medley (3:39.79), 800 Freestyle (7:21.87) and 400 Freestyle (3:20.28) Relays. Along with seven program records, 10 women earned positions in at least one event on the program's top 10 times list.
The Bulls travel to Muncie after defending their home pool versus Duquesne (Jan. 10), besting the Dukes 165-135. Against Mid-American Conference opponents head-to-head, Buffalo has seen a loss to Ohio (213-140, Oct. 24-25) and a win over Toledo (179-121, Nov. 1). The Bulls saw competition against other MAC programs during the Zippy Invite (Dec. 4-7), finishing third (1694), one spot ahead of fourth-place Bowling Green (1134.5), but behind first place Akron (1779).
Heading into Saturday, Buffalo narrowly leads the all-time series 10-9.
Fans can follow the action during Saturday's competition via Meet Mobile.
IN THE MAC RANKINGS
In the latest NCAA Division I Top Time Rankings as compiled by CollegeSwimming.com, the Cardinals have 14 student-athletes ranked in scoring position in their respective events heading into Saturday's competition at home.
Women's Swimmers Currently Ranked in the MAC Top 16
50 Freestyle: 1st – Payton Kelly (22.24) / 5th – Anna Keen (22.61)
100 Freestyle: 2nd – Payton Kelly (48.60) / 12th – Anna Keen (50.24)
200 Freestyle: 2nd – Payton Kelly (1:47.58) / 15th – Reagan Graves (1:50.95)
500 Freestyle: 9th – Addy Czarnecki (4:55.86)
1000 Freestyle: 6th – Addy Czarnecki (10:08.78) / 11th – McKenna Potteiger (10:18.42)
1650 Freestyle: 2nd – Addy Czarnecki (16:51.96) / 8th – McKenna Potteiger (17:06.30) / 12th – Callie Tuma (17:11.90)
100 Backstroke: 1st – Payton Kelly (52.86) / 7th – Ava Butterfield (54.24)
200 Backstroke: 5th - Ava Butterfield (1:57.93) / 11th – Alyssa Messenger (1:59.24) / 14th – Olivia Owens (2:00.00)
100 Breaststroke: 6th – Anna Keen (1:01.77) / 8th – Addie Beasley (1:02.39)
200 Breaststroke: 11th – Julia Ofman (2:18.25)
100 Butterfly: 4th – Anna Keen (53.97)
200 Butterfly: 1st – Alexa Von Holtz (1:58.54) / 7th – Reagan Graves (2:02.19) / 16th – Haley Johnson (2:04.46)
200 IM: 9th - Alexa Von Holtz (2:02.80) / 13th – Milagros Amione (2:03.30)
400 IM: 6th - Alexa Von Holtz (4:22.14) / 9th – Milagros Amione (4:24.26) / 16th – McKenna Potteiger (4:29.25)
200 Freestyle Relay: 2nd – Ball State (1:30.78)
400 Freestyle Relay: 3rd – Ball State (3:20.28)
800 Freestyle Relay: 4th – Ball State (7:21.87)
200 Medley Relay: 3rd – Ball State (1:40.00)
400 Medley Relay: 3rd - Ball State (3:39.79)
FROM THE DIVING BOARDS:
Graduate Grace Walker currently leads the Cardinals on both the 1M board (286.20) and 3M board (305.03).
Ball State Divers Top Results in 2025-26
Grace Walker (Gr.) - 286.20* on 1M / 305.03* on 3M
Leelah Fettig (So.) – 226.35 on 1M / 225.10 on 3M
Eeva-Liisa Gibson (Fr.) – 206.25 on 1M / 219.08 on 3M
Ella Penny (Jr.) – 211.73 on 1M / 170.25 on 3M
Hannah Justice (Sr.) – 207.40 on 1M
Ava Pavich (Jr.) – 164.55 on 1M / 161.45 on 3M
NCAA Zone Diving Qualifying Marks: 265 on 1M / 280 on 3M
EVENT WINNERS:
As a squad, the Cardinals have chalked up 46 individual event wins and eight relay victories so far this season.
2025-26 Women's Individual Event Winners (46)
11 - Payton Kelly (Sr.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 50 Freestyle (22.52) / 100 Freestyle (49.18)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 100 Backstroke (55.32) / 100 Freestyle (50.25)
Nov. 7 vs. Ohio: 100 Backstroke (55.41) / 100 Freestyle (50.29)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 50 Freestyle (23.05)
Nov. 20-22 at House of Champions: 50 Backstroke (24.60) / 50 Freestyle (22.24) / 100 Backstroke (52.86) / 100 Freestyle (48.60)
7 - Anna Keen (So.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 100 Individual Medley (55.90) / 100 Breaststroke (1:03.21)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 50 Freestyle (23.22) / 100 Butterfly (55.16)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Breaststroke (1:04.91)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 50 Butterfly (23.57) / 100 Individual Medley (54.71)
7– Grace Walker (Gr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 1-Meter Board (267.45) / 3-Meter Board (244.65)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 1-Meter Board (273.90) / 3-Meter (298.65)
No. 20-22 at House of Champions: 3-Meter (273.20) / 1-Meter (281.20) / Platform (246.05)
5– Addy Czarnecki (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 1000 Freestyle (10:18.95) / 500 Freestyle (5:03.30)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 1000 Freestyle (10:28.79)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 1000 Freestyle (10:33.58)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 1650 Freestyle (16:51.96)
4 – Ava Butterfield (So.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Backstroke (2:06.07)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 200 Individual Medley (2:09.59) / 100 Backstroke (57.37)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 200 Backstroke (1:58.24)
3 – Addie Beasley (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 100 Breaststroke (1:05.49)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 100 Breaststroke (1:05.23)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 200 Freestyle (1:56.47)
2 – Milagros Amione (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Individual Medley (2:04.98)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 200 Individual Medley (2:04.96)
2– Alexa Von Holtz (Jr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Butterfly (2:04.01)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 200 Butterfly (1:58.54)
1 – Aubrey Simmons (Fr.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 100 Butterfly (56.17)
1 – Maya McDonald (So.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Breaststroke (2:22.50)
1 – Reagan Graves (Fr.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 500 Freestyle (5:10.20)
1 – Savannah Farlee (So.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Butterfly (56.36)
1 – Haley Sakbun (Sr.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Freestyle (54.12)
2025-26 Women's Relay Winners (13)
5 – 200 Medley Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Fecher, Beasley, Keen, Kelly (1:41.26)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: Kelly, McDonald, Keen, Butterfield (1:43.07)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: Butterfield, McDonald, Keen, Kelly (1:43.86)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: Butterfield, Keen, Kelly, Zoeller (1:44.92)
Nov. 21 at House of Champions: Fecher, Beasley, Keen, Kelly (1:40.00)
3 – 400 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 25 at Toledo: Keen, Graves, Butterfield, Kelly (3:27.37)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: Messenger, Sakbun, Stauffer, Kelly (3:34.19)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: Keen, Butterfield, Graves, Kelly (3:20.28)
2 – 200 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Keen, Kelly, Sakbun, Zoeller (1:32.70)
Nov. 20 at House of Champions: Keen, Zoeller, Butterfield, Kelly (1:30.78)
1 – 500 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Graves, Sakbun, Marshall, Sears (4:01.62)
1 – 400 Medley Relay
Nov. 20 at House of Champions: Butterfield, McDonald, Keen, Kelly (3:39.79)
1 – 800 Freestyle Relay
Nov. 21 at House of Champions: Kelly, Amione, Von Holtz, Graves (7:21.87)
The women's squad last competed at House of Champions (Nov. 20-22), taking first place out of the field of 13 teams. Senior Payton Kelly led the Cardinals' effort with five individual victories. Her winning performances included new program standards in the 100 Freestyle (48.60) and 100 Backstroke (52.86). After the three-day event, Kelly now holds 11 individual event wins this season.
Grace Walker continued her dominate run this season on the diving boards, leaving the IU Natatorium with wins on the 1-Meter (281.20) and 3-Meter (273.20) boards, as well as platform (246.05). Walker currently boasts seven event wins so far in the 2025-26 season.
Other Cardinals with wins during House of Champions include Anna Keen in the 50 Butterfly (23.57) and 100 individual Medley (54.71), Addy Czarnecki in the 1650 Freestyle (16:51.96), Alexa Von Holtz in the 200 butterfly (1:58.54) and Ava Butterfield in the 200 Backstroke (1:57.93). Butterfield's time in the 200 back set a program record.
Ball State managed to sweep the relay events throughout House of Champions, taking five wins, and combining for new program records in the 200 Freestyle (1:30.78), 400 Medley (3:39.79), 800 Freestyle (7:21.87) and 400 Freestyle (3:20.28) Relays. Along with seven program records, 10 women earned positions in at least one event on the program's top 10 times list.
The Bulls travel to Muncie after defending their home pool versus Duquesne (Jan. 10), besting the Dukes 165-135. Against Mid-American Conference opponents head-to-head, Buffalo has seen a loss to Ohio (213-140, Oct. 24-25) and a win over Toledo (179-121, Nov. 1). The Bulls saw competition against other MAC programs during the Zippy Invite (Dec. 4-7), finishing third (1694), one spot ahead of fourth-place Bowling Green (1134.5), but behind first place Akron (1779).
Heading into Saturday, Buffalo narrowly leads the all-time series 10-9.
Fans can follow the action during Saturday's competition via Meet Mobile.
IN THE MAC RANKINGS
In the latest NCAA Division I Top Time Rankings as compiled by CollegeSwimming.com, the Cardinals have 14 student-athletes ranked in scoring position in their respective events heading into Saturday's competition at home.
Women's Swimmers Currently Ranked in the MAC Top 16
50 Freestyle: 1st – Payton Kelly (22.24) / 5th – Anna Keen (22.61)
100 Freestyle: 2nd – Payton Kelly (48.60) / 12th – Anna Keen (50.24)
200 Freestyle: 2nd – Payton Kelly (1:47.58) / 15th – Reagan Graves (1:50.95)
500 Freestyle: 9th – Addy Czarnecki (4:55.86)
1000 Freestyle: 6th – Addy Czarnecki (10:08.78) / 11th – McKenna Potteiger (10:18.42)
1650 Freestyle: 2nd – Addy Czarnecki (16:51.96) / 8th – McKenna Potteiger (17:06.30) / 12th – Callie Tuma (17:11.90)
100 Backstroke: 1st – Payton Kelly (52.86) / 7th – Ava Butterfield (54.24)
200 Backstroke: 5th - Ava Butterfield (1:57.93) / 11th – Alyssa Messenger (1:59.24) / 14th – Olivia Owens (2:00.00)
100 Breaststroke: 6th – Anna Keen (1:01.77) / 8th – Addie Beasley (1:02.39)
200 Breaststroke: 11th – Julia Ofman (2:18.25)
100 Butterfly: 4th – Anna Keen (53.97)
200 Butterfly: 1st – Alexa Von Holtz (1:58.54) / 7th – Reagan Graves (2:02.19) / 16th – Haley Johnson (2:04.46)
200 IM: 9th - Alexa Von Holtz (2:02.80) / 13th – Milagros Amione (2:03.30)
400 IM: 6th - Alexa Von Holtz (4:22.14) / 9th – Milagros Amione (4:24.26) / 16th – McKenna Potteiger (4:29.25)
200 Freestyle Relay: 2nd – Ball State (1:30.78)
400 Freestyle Relay: 3rd – Ball State (3:20.28)
800 Freestyle Relay: 4th – Ball State (7:21.87)
200 Medley Relay: 3rd – Ball State (1:40.00)
400 Medley Relay: 3rd - Ball State (3:39.79)
FROM THE DIVING BOARDS:
Graduate Grace Walker currently leads the Cardinals on both the 1M board (286.20) and 3M board (305.03).
Ball State Divers Top Results in 2025-26
Grace Walker (Gr.) - 286.20* on 1M / 305.03* on 3M
Leelah Fettig (So.) – 226.35 on 1M / 225.10 on 3M
Eeva-Liisa Gibson (Fr.) – 206.25 on 1M / 219.08 on 3M
Ella Penny (Jr.) – 211.73 on 1M / 170.25 on 3M
Hannah Justice (Sr.) – 207.40 on 1M
Ava Pavich (Jr.) – 164.55 on 1M / 161.45 on 3M
NCAA Zone Diving Qualifying Marks: 265 on 1M / 280 on 3M
EVENT WINNERS:
As a squad, the Cardinals have chalked up 46 individual event wins and eight relay victories so far this season.
2025-26 Women's Individual Event Winners (46)
11 - Payton Kelly (Sr.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 50 Freestyle (22.52) / 100 Freestyle (49.18)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 100 Backstroke (55.32) / 100 Freestyle (50.25)
Nov. 7 vs. Ohio: 100 Backstroke (55.41) / 100 Freestyle (50.29)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 50 Freestyle (23.05)
Nov. 20-22 at House of Champions: 50 Backstroke (24.60) / 50 Freestyle (22.24) / 100 Backstroke (52.86) / 100 Freestyle (48.60)
7 - Anna Keen (So.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 100 Individual Medley (55.90) / 100 Breaststroke (1:03.21)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 50 Freestyle (23.22) / 100 Butterfly (55.16)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Breaststroke (1:04.91)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 50 Butterfly (23.57) / 100 Individual Medley (54.71)
7– Grace Walker (Gr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 1-Meter Board (267.45) / 3-Meter Board (244.65)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 1-Meter Board (273.90) / 3-Meter (298.65)
No. 20-22 at House of Champions: 3-Meter (273.20) / 1-Meter (281.20) / Platform (246.05)
5– Addy Czarnecki (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 1000 Freestyle (10:18.95) / 500 Freestyle (5:03.30)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 1000 Freestyle (10:28.79)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 1000 Freestyle (10:33.58)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 1650 Freestyle (16:51.96)
4 – Ava Butterfield (So.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Backstroke (2:06.07)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 200 Individual Medley (2:09.59) / 100 Backstroke (57.37)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 200 Backstroke (1:58.24)
3 – Addie Beasley (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 100 Breaststroke (1:05.49)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 100 Breaststroke (1:05.23)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 200 Freestyle (1:56.47)
2 – Milagros Amione (Fr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Individual Medley (2:04.98)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: 200 Individual Medley (2:04.96)
2– Alexa Von Holtz (Jr.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Butterfly (2:04.01)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: 200 Butterfly (1:58.54)
1 – Aubrey Simmons (Fr.)
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: 100 Butterfly (56.17)
1 – Maya McDonald (So.)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: 200 Breaststroke (2:22.50)
1 – Reagan Graves (Fr.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 500 Freestyle (5:10.20)
1 – Savannah Farlee (So.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Butterfly (56.36)
1 – Haley Sakbun (Sr.)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: 100 Freestyle (54.12)
2025-26 Women's Relay Winners (13)
5 – 200 Medley Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Fecher, Beasley, Keen, Kelly (1:41.26)
Oct. 25 at Toledo: Kelly, McDonald, Keen, Butterfield (1:43.07)
Nov. 7 vs Ohio: Butterfield, McDonald, Keen, Kelly (1:43.86)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: Butterfield, Keen, Kelly, Zoeller (1:44.92)
Nov. 21 at House of Champions: Fecher, Beasley, Keen, Kelly (1:40.00)
3 – 400 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 25 at Toledo: Keen, Graves, Butterfield, Kelly (3:27.37)
Nov. 8 vs Bellarmine: Messenger, Sakbun, Stauffer, Kelly (3:34.19)
Nov. 22 vs. House of Champions: Keen, Butterfield, Graves, Kelly (3:20.28)
2 – 200 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Keen, Kelly, Sakbun, Zoeller (1:32.70)
Nov. 20 at House of Champions: Keen, Zoeller, Butterfield, Kelly (1:30.78)
1 – 500 Freestyle Relay
Oct. 11 at Indiana Intercollegiates: Graves, Sakbun, Marshall, Sears (4:01.62)
1 – 400 Medley Relay
Nov. 20 at House of Champions: Butterfield, McDonald, Keen, Kelly (3:39.79)
1 – 800 Freestyle Relay
Nov. 21 at House of Champions: Kelly, Amione, Von Holtz, Graves (7:21.87)
Players Mentioned
IM, Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast, IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly, Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Breast
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly, IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back, Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back
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Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Back, Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Fly, IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly, IM
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Diving
/ Women's Swimming and DivingSports Link: Zach Shaddy (Diving)
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