Patterson Paces Men's S&D on Day Two of MVC Championships

Wednesday, February 25

Evansville, IN

All Day

Ball State University

Missouri Valley Conference

Patterson Paces Men's S&D on Day Two of MVC Championships

February 26, 2026 | Men's Swimming and Diving

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman George Patterson continued his stellar performance at his first collegiate postseason appearance, capturing gold in the 200 freestyle relay to lead the men's team on day two of the Missouri Valley Conference Championships.

Patterson's championship time of 1:34.78 topped his own previous program-leading mark of 1:35.98, which he set during the finals at House of Champions earlier this season (Nov. 21). In fact, Patterson has now bested the program's top time in the event three times this year, beating it originally during prelims at House of Champions.

Patterson also anchored the 200 medley relay team to close the evening, joining William Raches, Aidan Biddle and AJ Friend to place fourth with a time of 1:26.44. The squad's time was just .9 seconds shy of the Ball State record.

Friend followed yesterday's performance with another program record during prelims, topping the 100 butterfly with a time of 47.11. Later that evening during the finals, Friend finished sixth, touching the wall at 47.49.

Also scoring points for the Cardinals was Malcolm Slater, who placed 16th in the 400 individual medley (4:01.53).

At the end of day two inside the Evansville Deaconess Aquatic Center, the men's team is placed fourth with 473 points. The Cardinals trail Southern Illinois (579.5), Miami (OH) (732.5) and Missouri State (744).

Action at the MVC Championships continues tomorrow with prelims at 11:30 a.m. and finals at 6:30 p.m. Events will be streamed live on the MVC YouTube channel.

Ball State Results on Day 2 of the MVC Championships
THURSDAY EVENING FINALS RESULTS
100 Butterfly | Program Record - 47.84 by Bryce Handshoe in 2024
6th – AJ Friend – 47.49 – program record
13th – Henry Ko – 48.91 – fourth in program history
16th – Luke Pryor – 49.60
22nd – Benjamin Clarkston – 49.88
23rd – Reeve Ferber – 50.15

400 IM | Program Record - 3:57.18 by Zach Zishka in 2023
16th – Malcolm Slater – 4:01.53
18th – Max Kruglov – 4:00.67
20th – Tommy Brunner – 4:03.45

200 Freestyle | Program Record - 1:35.98 by George Patterson in 2025
1st – George Patterson – 1:36.15 – program record
4th - William Raches – 1:36.46 – third in program history
12th – Jacob Siewers – 1:38.37
22nd – Nathan Harper – 1:40.24

200 Medley Relay | Program Record - 1:26.35 by Pheifer, Garberick, Handshoe, Chaye in 2023
4th – William Raches, Aidan Biddle, AJ Friend, George Patterson - 1:26.44 – second in program history

THURSDAY MORNING PRELIMS RESULTS
100 Butterfly | Program Record - 47.84 by Bryce Handshoe in 2024
1st – AJ Friend – 47.11 – Advances to A Final – program record
15th – Luke Pryor – 49.16 – Advances to B Final – sixth in program history
16th – Henry Ko – 49.22 – Advances to B Final – seventh in program history
19th - Benjamin Clarkston – 49.56
21st – Reeve Ferber – 50.25
EX – Zack Vervlied – 50.57
EX – Mason Young – 50.88
EX – Kenny Reed – 52.39

400 IM | Program Record - 3:57.18 by Zach Zishka in 2023
12th – Malcolm Slater – 4:01.53 – Advances to B Final
17th – Max Kruglov – 4:03.91
22nd – Tommy Brunner – 4:08.18

200 Freestyle | Program Record - 1:35.98 by George Patterson in 2025
3rd – George Patterson – 1:36.15 – Advances to A Final
5th - William Raches – 1:36.53 – Advances to A Final - third in program history
10th – Jacob Siewers – 1:37.96 – Advances to B Final
24th – Nathan Harper – 1:40.33
27th – Dominick Perkowski – 1:40.59
34th – Seth Blossom – 1:41.78