Ball State University Athletics
Kelly Awarded Second MAC Swimmer of the Week Honor This Season
January 27, 2026 | Women's Swimming and Diving
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Freestyle specialist Payton Kelly has been named as the Mid-American Conference Swimmer of the Week, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon. Kelly earns the honor for the second time this season and the seventh time in her career.
Kelly began her weekend versus IU Indy for Ball State's Senior Day (Jan. 23), placing first in both the 50 (23.25) and 100 (52.01) freestyles and leading off the winning 400 medley relay team to open the meet (3:51.00).
The following afternoon at Eastern Michigan, Kelly took the top placement in the 200 (1:50.14) and 500 (4:51.22) freestyles and anchored the victorious 200 medley (1:41.06) and 200 freestyle (1:33.78) relay squads. Her time in the 500 free stands as the second-fastest in program history and tops the Mid-American Conference.
The women's program hosts Indiana State Jan 30. for the Cardinals' final competition before entering preparation for the MAC Championships (Feb.25-28). Events versus the Sycamores are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Kelly began her weekend versus IU Indy for Ball State's Senior Day (Jan. 23), placing first in both the 50 (23.25) and 100 (52.01) freestyles and leading off the winning 400 medley relay team to open the meet (3:51.00).
The following afternoon at Eastern Michigan, Kelly took the top placement in the 200 (1:50.14) and 500 (4:51.22) freestyles and anchored the victorious 200 medley (1:41.06) and 200 freestyle (1:33.78) relay squads. Her time in the 500 free stands as the second-fastest in program history and tops the Mid-American Conference.
The women's program hosts Indiana State Jan 30. for the Cardinals' final competition before entering preparation for the MAC Championships (Feb.25-28). Events versus the Sycamores are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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