Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Missouri Valley Conference
Shaddy's Gold Leads Men's S&D on Day One of MVC Championships
February 25, 2026 | Men's Swimming and Diving
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Ball State men's swimming and diving team captured three medals, led by Zach Shaddy's gold on the 1-meter board, on day one of the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Swimming and Diving Championships. Â
Shaddy's gold-winning score of 360.15 inside the Evansville Deaconess Aquatic Center broke a 35-year-old Ball State record set by Dave Keener in 1991 (344.25). The historic mark also bested the previous MVC record of 343.70 set by UIC's Nolan Harrison in 2025. Â
The medal collection continued as sophomore AJ Friend set a program record of his own, tying Miami (OH)'s Duncan Salmen for bronze in the 50 freestyle (19.87). Â
Friend also led off the bronze-medal 200 freestyle relay team which included Benjamin Clarkston, George Patterson and Jacob Siewers (1:19.83). The unit's finishing time ties its third-best program mark, which the men set at House of Champions earlier this season (Nov. 20). Â
The freshman Patterson made the most of his first appearance at the big stage, accompanying his relay medal with his third individual program record this season with a time of 1:46.80 in the 200 individual medley. Â
After the first day of competition Wednesday evening, Ball State is placed fifth with 268.5 points. The Cardinals trail behind UIC (294), Southern Illinois (326), Missouri State (420.5) and Miami (OH) (490). Â
The men's team continues to day two of the MVC Championships tomorrow with prelims beginning at 11:30 a.m. and finals starting at 6:30 p.m. Events will be streamed on the MVC YouTube channel. Â
Ball State Results on Day 1 of the MVC ChampionshipsÂ
WEDNESDAYÂ EVENING FINALS RESULTSÂ
200 Freestyle Relay | Program Record - 1:18.88 by Chaye, Garberick, Siewers, Pheifer in 2024 Â
3rd - AJ Friend, Benjamin Clarkston, George Patterson, Jacob Siewers – 1:19.83 – Tied third in program historyÂ
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500 Freestyle | Program Record - 4:27.13 by George Patterson in 2025 Â
12th – Malcolm Slater – 4:29.55Â
21st – Dominick Perkowski – 4:34.49Â
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200 IM | Program Record - 1:49.31 by Joe Morris in 2015Â Â
17th – George Patterson – 1:46.80 – program recordÂ
18th – Ike Ruszowski – 1:50.89 – fifth in program historyÂ
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50 Freestyle | Program Record - 19.89 by Owen Chaye on Two Occasions Â
3rd – AJ Friend – 19.87 – program recordÂ
11th – Jacob Siewers – 20.48Â
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1-Meter Diving | Program Record - 344.25 by Dave Keener in 1991Â Â
1st – Zach Shaddy – 360.15 – program & conference recordÂ
10th – Porter Brovont – 303.10Â
14th – Ryan Farmer – 268.50Â
15th – Mitchell Mauck – 259.55Â
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400 Medley Relay | Program Record - 3:10.53 by Pheifer, Garberick, Handshoe, Chaye in 2024 Â
4th – William Raches, Aidan Biddle, AJ Friend, Jacob Siewers – 3:11.95 – second in program history Â
WEDNESDAYÂ MORNING PRELIMS RESULTSÂ
500 Freestyle | Program Record - 4:27.13 by George Patterson in 2025 Â
11th – Malcolm Slater – 4:29.05 – Advances to B FinalÂ
20th – Dominick Perkowski – 4:39.09Â
27th – Seth Blossom – 4:36.80Â
32nd – Henry Ko – 4:42.46Â
33rd – Tommy Brunner – 4:42.85Â
EX – Kenny Reed – 4:49.19Â
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200 IM | Program Record - 1:49.31 by Joe Morris in 2015Â Â
17th – Ike Ruszkowski – 1:51.42 Â
18th – George Patterson – 1:51.77 Â
22nd – Nathan Harper – 1:52.92Â
26th – Luke Pryor – 1:54.39Â
27th – Max Kruglov – 1:54.67Â
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50 Freestyle | Program Record - 19.89 by Owen Chaye on Two Occasions Â
2nd – AJ Friend – 19.92 – Advances to A Final Â
10th – Jacob Siewers – 20.41 – Advances to B FinalÂ
18th – Benjamin Clarkston – 20.77Â
31st – Aidan Biddle – 21.59Â
EX – Mason Young – 21.03Â
EX – Zack Vervlied – 21.10Â
EX – Colin Walrond – 21.35Â
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1-Meter Diving | Program Record - 344.25 by Dave Keener in 1991Â Â
3rd – Zach Shaddy – 306.00 – Advances to A FinalÂ
10th – Porter Brovont – 267.10 – Advances to B FinalÂ
14th – Ryan Farmer – 249.05 – Advances to B FinalÂ
16th – Mitchell Mauck – 243.05 – Advances to B FinalÂ
19th – Emilio Perez – 229.80Â
Players Mentioned
