Women's S&D Claim Two Golds on Day Two of MAC Championships

Wednesday, February 25

Akron, OH

All Day

Ball State University

Mid-American Conference Championships

Women's S&D Claim Two Golds on Day Two of MAC Championships

February 26, 2026 | Women's Swimming and Diving

AKRON, Ohio – The Ball State women's swimming and diving program added three medals, including two golds, as the squad continued competition on day two at the Mid-American Conference Swimming and Diving Championships.

The first gold of the night was brought in by senior freestyle specialist Payton Kelly, who placed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.88. Her finishing time in the event not only stands as a brand-new Ball State and MAC record, but also punches her ticket to the 2026 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships (March 18-21) in Atlanta Georgia. Kelly takes top prize in the event for the second straight year, tying Ohio's Zita Szoke for gold at last year's MAC Championships.

Ball State's second gold was claimed by graduate Grace Walker, who scored a career-best 298.75 on the 1-meter board, beating her own fourth-best score in program history.

Rounding out the medals on day two was the 400 medley relay team of Ava Butterfield, Addie Beasley, Anna Keen and Kelly which earned bronze with a program-leading time of 3:37.07.

Addy Czarnecki and Reagan Graves contributed points to Ball State's effort, placing fifth (4:53.81) and 12th (4:56.31) in the 500 freestyle. In the 200 individual medley, Beasley turned in a seventh-place performance (2:02.18), followed by Alexa Von Holtz in eighth (2:02.90) and Milagros Amione in 16th (2:03.30).

Also earning points for the Cardinals was Keen who finished fifth in the 50 free (22.63).

At the end of day two, Ball State sits at fourth with 189 points. The Cardinals trail behind Buffalo (191), Ohio (193) and Akron (265).

Action at the MAC Championships continues tomorrow morning with prelims at 10 a.m. followed by finals at 6 p.m. Events will be streamed on ESPN+.

Ball State Results on Day 2 of the MAC Championships
THURSDAY EVENING FINAL RESULTS
500 Freestyle | Program Record - 4:48.37 by Marcella Ribeiro in 2021
5th – Addy Czarnecki – 4:53.81 – sixth in program history
12th - Reagan Graves – 4:56:31 – ninth in program history

200 IM | Program Record - 2:00.85 by Alexa Von Holtz in an 2023
7th – Addie Beasley – 2:02.18 – second in program history
8th – Alexa Von Holtz – 2:02.90
16th – Milagros Amione – 2:03.30

50 Freestyle | Program Record - 22.23 by Payton Kelly in 2025
1st – Payton Kelly – 21.88 – program record, MAC record & NCAA qualifying time
5th – Anna Keen – 22.63

1M Diving | Program Record - 305.48 by Caitlin Locante in 2021
1st – Grace Walker – 298.75 – fourth in program history

400 Medley Relay | Program Record - 3:39.79 by Butterfield, McDonald, Keen, Kelly in 2025
3rd – Ava Butterfield, Addie Beasley, Anna Keen, Payton Kelly – 3:37.07 – program record

THURSDAY MORNING PRELIM RESULTS
500 Freestyle | Program Record - 4:48.37 by Marcella Ribeiro in 2021
8th – Addy Czarnecki – 4:56.29 – Advances to A Final
16th - Reagan Graves – 4:58.85 – Advances to B Final
21st – Callie Tuma – 5:00.12
23rd – McKenna Potteiger – 5:01.87
EX – Kiran Stauffer – 5:01.46

200 IM | Program Record - 2:00.85 by Alexa Von Holtz in 2023
7th – Alexa Von Holtz – 2:01.88 – Advances to A Final
8th – Addie Beasley – 2:01.89 – Advances to A Final - second in program history
9th – Milagros Amione – 2:02.31 – Advances to B Final - third in program history
24th – Haley Johnson – 2:05.45
37th – Julia Ofman – 2:09.14

50 Freestyle | Program Record - 22.23 by Payton Kelly in 2025
1st – Payton Kelly – 22.23 – Advances to A Final – tied program record
5th – Anna Keen – 22.64 – Advances to A Final
26th – Kiley Zoeller – 23.52
34th – Lauren Fecher – 24.03
38th – Alyssa Messenger – 24.21
47th – Olivia Owens – 24.85
54th – Maya McDonald – 28.78
57th – Haley Sakbun – 23.65
58th – Ella Sears – 23.73
62nd – Natalie Marshall – 24.12
66th – Savannah Farlee – 24.93

1M Diving | Program Record - 305.48 by Caitlin Locante in 2021
4th – Grace Walker – 265.65 – Advances to A Final
25th – Ella Penny – 199.30
28th – Eeva-Liisa Gibson – 195.70