2026 Chirpies Awards Show is Monday, April 20

April 18, 2026 | Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Men's Volleyball, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Gymnastics, Soccer, Track & Field, Cardinal Varsity Club

2026 CHIRPIES PRESENTATION
Worthen Arena | April 20, 2026

Welcome – by Mick Tidrow, Master of Ceremonies

Opening Remarks – by Jeff Mitchell, Director of Athletics

MITCHELL'S MOMENTS

GROUNDBREAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

The groundbreaking performance of the year is a player that set a new standard either in their sport or in Ball State athletics. They either broke a record, reached an amazing milestone or earned a big award.

Addie Chester (Soccer) - In 2 seasons as a Cardinal has scored 21 goals (tie for 5th all time), 13 assists (tie for fifth all time), 55 total points (5th all time), most points in a season (28). MAC first team selection 2024 and 2025, MAC forward of the year 2025, USC All-Region Selection, tied for 2nd most goals in a season (11), tie for first most assists in a season (8), MAC all tournament team 2025

Nathan Voorhis (Football) - Finished at the top of the MAC in sacks this year, tied for 3rd in the nation in sacks. Voorhis lead the nation in sacks through 10 games, 1st team ALL - MAC

Patrick Rogers (Men's Volleyball) - 2025 All-MIVA First Team honors; AVCA All-American Honorable Mention; Passed 1,000 kills for his career on January 17 vs. UCLA; has since added over 200 more to his record.

Jasmine Driscoll (Women's Golf) - Jasmine opened the 2025 MAC Championship with a blistering 5-under 67 and went on to win the title at +2 after 54 holes.

Kenli Nettles (Track & Field) - Delivered an historic performance at the MAC Indoor Championships scoring over 4,000 points to win the pentathlon and move into the top tier of NCAA multi-event athletes; The performance was highlighted by an 8.59 in the 60m hurdles and major improvement in the shot put (12.20m).

Isabell Tanjuatco (Women's Tennis) - Izzy's season has been special not just because of the results, but because of the way she's delivered in the biggest moments. She has consistently stepped up when it matters most and set a new tone for what competing at a level looks like in our program.

MALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The Male Rookie of the Year is an athlete who excelled and made a huge impact on their team during their first year of competition. This could be either a red shirt freshman, a transfer freshman, or a true freshman.

Tobi Adewoyin (Football) Played 11 of 12 games as a true freshman. 14 total tackles – eight solo and six assists.

George Patterson (Men's Swimming) Won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in the 200 Free setting a new Conference Record. Member of silver medal winning 400 freestyle relay.

Ryan Louis (Men's Volleyball) Ryan had a terrific freshman campaign in 2025; Academic All-MIVA; 121 kills on the season including 21 at Mckendree February 22, 2025.

Andrei Caragea (Men's Tennis) Plays #2 singles and has won multiple matchups this season including the match-clinching win vs. Toledo on March 26 when BSU won 4-3.

FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The Female Rookie of the Year is an athlete who excelled and made a huge impact on their team during their first year of competition. This could be either a red shirt freshman, a transfer freshman, or a true freshman.

Carly Stalder (Gymnastics) - Carly made an immediate impact in her debut season, competing on three events throughout the year. She won her first collegiate event in her opening meet with a 9.85 and went on to earn five total victories. Carly was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team and achieved a career-high 9.875 on floor. She finished the season ranked 5th in the MAC on vault, recording 13 scores of 9.8 or higher, and earned MAC Gymnast of the Week.

Reese Axness (Women's Volleyball) - Reese was the 2025 MAC Co-Setter of the year after leading the team to a 17-1 MAC record, a MAC regular season championship and leading the league in hitting percentage. She also was on the MAC All-Freshman team.

Nina Garner (Track & Field) - Nina had an outstanding freshman season emerging as one of the top young field athletes in the MAC; She finished runner-up in the high-jump at the MAC Indoor Championship (1.75m) and cleared a personal best of 1.76m which ties for fifth all-time in Ball State history; Earned MAC Freshman Field Performer of the Year honors.

Jordyn Klaasen (Soccer) - Started 20 games and played second most minutes on the team with 1,789; Named to MAC All-Freshman Team; Scored goal at EMU and was awarded MAC Defensive POTW.

Aniss Tagayi (Women's Basketball) - All MAC Freshman Team; All Defensive Team; Averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals per game.

CARDINAL MOMENT OF THE YEAR

The Cardinal Moment of the Year is a ESPN Top 10 worthy. It is a video of an exciting play/routine/event that was jaw dropping.

Women's Soccer - Advancing in conference tournament after penalty kicks vs Kent State, the Kate Pallante save and team celebration after!

Men's Swimming - Freshmen George Patterson wins the 200 Free at the MVC Conference Championship setting a new Conference Record.

Track - Laya'Lapri Ratney gave us one of the top moments of the year winning the 60m hurdles at the MAC Indoor Championships in 8.41. The performance moved her to No. 4 all-time in program history and showed her ability to compete at a high level when it mattered most. It was a championship moment that reflects who we are as a program.

Women's Volleyball - Winning MAC Regular Season Championship at EMU and subsequent celebration in the locker room with team

GUITAR PERFORMANCE BY MEN'S SWIMMER AIDAN BIDDLE

MALE COMEBACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The Male Comeback of the Year is an athlete who faced adversity through dealing with a major injury and coming back the following year/season to make a big impact in their sport.
Justin Thomas (Football) sustained a significant lower body injury in August 2024 that required surgery the next day. He completed rehab and was recovering throughout last spring and resume full workouts with the team end of April 2025. He returned to play the entire Fall 2025 season

Jacob Siewers – (Men's Swimming) – Dealt with extended illness during his senior season. Persevered to final in the 100 Freestyle at the conference championships and helped close out the meet with a new school record in the 400 Freestyle relay.

Brayden Huebner (Baseball) Suffered a shoulder dislocation in 2025 and this year dealing with an elbow injury while still contributing heavily as a hitter; hitting .296 with 54 at-bats.

Jenson Bicanic (Men's Tennis) Jenson, he sustained a severe injury in mid August that kept in out of tennis for the entire fall. He was able to return to the court in January and worked to be able to participate in a doubles tournament in February and made his return to singles play around that time as well.

FEMALE COMEBACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The Female Comeback of the Year is an athlete who faced adversity through dealing with a major injury and coming back the following year/season to make a big impact in their sport.

Grace Walker (Swimming & Diving) - had a critical surgery as a Junior causing her to miss the 2025 MAC Championship only to come back her Senior year to win the MAC Championship in 1m Diving.

Ashlee Lovett (Softball)- After battling a hand surgery in her sophomore year, Lovett experienced another setback with a knee injury late Fall of 2024 before the season started in Feb. She bounced back faster than I've ever seen an athlete do so and made the most of her opportunities by working tirelessly in the training room and doing whatever she could to be ready. She was courageous and selfless, which allowed her to help her team in any capacity she was put into. She had 60 AB's, batted .333 average, and only 3 strikeouts. From the outside looking in, you would never know she just endured multiple injuries in a year, which requires incredible strength and tenacity to battle through, but she had the confidence knowing that she could persevere. Her main focus was on doing what needed to be done for her team. That mindset is what allowed her to be all in which required her to be in the outfield at times, laying her body on the line, or as a DH where she was asked to steal bases and score runs for us.

Tessa Towers (Basketball) - 1st Team All MAC; went from 2 points and 1 rebound per game in 2024-25 to 15 points and 8 rebounds per game in 2025-26; One MAC Player of the Week Award; Battled through adversity early in her college career to have a breakout campaign in 2025-26.

Zoe Middleton (Gymnastics) - After a significant season-ending injury, Zoe returned in just nine months and made an immediate impact as our only all-around competitor in 10 of 12 meets. She has performed at a high level while achieving some of the best academic results of her career. Zoe earned All-MAC Second Team honors in the all-around, was named MAC Gymnast of the Week once and Specialist of the Week once and was named to the NCAA Lexington Regional for postseason competition. She has accumulated over 1,730 career points.

Sydney Hrehor (Tennis) - What Syd has done this year is incredible. After undergoing bilateral hip labral repair and reconstruction and not competing in a match for nearly two years, she worked her way back into the starting lineup and is now 10-3 in doubles. To go from that kind of time away from competition to performing and winning at this level says everything about her resilience, discipline and her belief in herself.

SPECIAL THANKS TO SPONSORS & DONORS
SPIRIT RECOGNITION

IRON CARDINAL OF THE YEAR

This athlete exemplifies strength of character and courage of leadership as it relates to the team's physical preparation in the weight room. They are consistently pushing themselves and their team to new levels while training.

McKayla Timmons (Softball) - A dedicated athlete herself, she knew the importance of the weight room and how it served her athletic performance. She took her nutrition, preventive care, and strength training to a whole new level by breaking records and setting new standards. Her love for this space has allowed her to break into the male dominated area of mens' programs such as Football and Men's Basketball, while also serving some of our female teams. Her diverse knowledge and ability to demonstrate proper technique is crucial for breaking down ceilings and barriers regarding the weight room space, and working with male athletes as a female.

Max Kalk (Baseball) - Max Kalk is our starting catcher this year and has committed himself to personal and team improvement every day on and off the field. His is at the very core of our team's success as one the man the rest of the team looks to for guidance, support, and motivation. In-season, Max is always looking for ways to improve his performance and readiness for games. Prior to every game on the road, he requests to meet in the hotel gym for a pre-game prep/activation lift to get his body moving and ready to compete. He fully believes in the power of strength & conditioning to help him be the best athlete he can be for himself and his teammates. I believe Max Kalk exemplifies the kind of athlete we want at Ball State. A relentless competitor who is not the strongest, fastest, or most powerful member of the team, but who never quits working to improve on the talents he has been provided.

Griffin Satterfield (Men's Volleyball) - Griff Satterfield is the definitive candidate for the Iron Cardinal award, a distinction reserved for those who embody relentless work ethic. Whether in the weight room or on the court, Griff leads by example, setting a standard of excellence for his teammates to follow. His approach to training is remarkably methodical; he meticulously tracks his performance metrics against past benchmarks to ensure continuous growth. This disciplined self-evaluation stems from a deep-seated commitment to the team, as Griff understands that maximizing his own physical power and athletic strength is the most direct way he can contribute to our collective success.

Alauna Simms (Gymnastics) - Alauna sets the standard in the weight room through relentless effort, consistency and leadership. She pushes herself and her teammates daily, elevating the team's physical performance and fostering a culture of accountability, resilience, and toughness.

SENIOR RECOGNITION

MALE SENIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This athlete is a senior or graduate student who is leaving their mark on their program. They display leadership and have an impressive resume of athletic accomplishments.

Elmore James (Men's Basketball) A Dean's List student, "EJ" played all 31 games and started 20. Played significant minutes this year enroute to nearly 8 points per game.

Jacob Siewers (Men's Swimming) Team Captain, SAAC representative, set the school record in the 200 freestyle earlier in his career and is a member of three record-holding relays; Academic All-Conference.

Maximus Webster (Football) A SAAC representative and 4.0 student, Max played multiple positions (TE/RB) and was named All-Academic MAC and academic all district; played in all 12 games and all special teams units.

Broc Fletcher (Men's Tennis) Also a SAAC rep, Currently owns the best singles record on the team at 10-6; Broc brings inspiration, motivation and tons of energy to our team; he's a great teammate and has taken the freshman under his wings, helping to set them up for success as they transition to college; brings passion and intensity to every practice and workout while always looking to improve his game.

FEMALE SENIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This athlete is a senior or graduate student who is leaving their mark on their program. They display leadership and have an impressive resume of athletic accomplishments.

Bree Salenbien (Women's Basketball) - 1st team All MAC; All Tournament Team MAC tourney - Averaged 17 points per game and 7 rebounds per game - 3 MAC Player of the Week Awards

Payton Kelly (Women's Swimming) - Team Captain, SAAC International Student Chair, 3.9 GPA, holds 4 individual school records and member of all 5 Relay records. Selected as Swimmer of the Meet and Senior Swimmer of the Year at '26 MAC Championship. Qualified for NCAA Championship in 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.

Alana Springer (Track & Field) - Alana closes her career as one of the top sprinters in the MAC; The team counts on her in both individual events and relays; Her consistency and leadership leave a strong mark on the program.

Zoe Middleton (Gymnastics) - Zoe leaves a lasting legacy as one of the most accomplished athletes in program history. She holds the school records for a perfect 10.0 on bars and a 39.75 in the all-around, and she achieved a perfect vault score of 9.95 on a Yurchenko full which has a 9.95 start value. This season, she earned a personal best 9.9 on beam and has won the all-around six times, solidifying her impact as both a leader and elite competitor.

HEART OF THE CARDINAL

The Heart of the Cardinal award is for a selfless athlete who lives the Beneficence Pledge. They have helped the Muncie community by helping to create big projects, contributing numerous hours of community service or were able to fundraise for a good cause.

Nathan Harper (Men's Swimming) - Nathan, a sophomore on the swim team, is a great example of what it means to serve with dedication and heart; he consistently shows up to support the Muncie Mission with a great attitude, ready to greet every guest with a smile; Nathan is consistently reliable, hard working, and genuinely cares about the people he serves; As a result of the great attitude and work he has done, Nathan was offered a summer internship at the Mission.

Caden Britton, Cole Stumbaugh, and Carson Holmer (Football) have teamed up to make donations to Alex's Lemonade Stand, every time Ball State makes an extra point or a field goal. Through this initiative, the trio raised over $2,800 for pediatric cancer research. In addition, these three have volunteered time at the Muncie Mission, Walk a Mile, Second Harvest, and helped with the Christmas Toyota toy drive for the Muncie Community.

Maci Hoskins (Cross Country) - The 2025-26 SAAC Vice President, Maci is the foundation of our team culture; she leads with consistency, care and accountability and brings energy into everything she does; Her impact goes well beyond performance - she makes the people around her better.

Jessica Hoffman (Softball) - Jess is going to school to be a teacher and helps out at 5-Tool academy working with young athletes and sharing her knowledge and love for the game of softball. She has put many service hours into the Challenge League of Yorktown working with kids and young adults with disabilities. She has a selfless heart and wants to help others which is the foundation of what the Beneficence Pledge is. Her love to build others up and pour into them will last a lifetime as she has dedicated herself and her profession into doing so. Her teammates would describe her as the hardest worker, a selfless and supportive teammate, while making a difference in the softball community here in Muncie. It's more than a sport to her, and she's sharing those lessons to those who are just finding their love for our game. She has the Heart of the Cardinal on and off the field.

COACH OF THE YEAR

This coach has not only led their team to great success, but they go out of their way to create relationships with the athletes and are committed to helping them excel inside and outside of their sport.

Brady Sallee (Women's Basketball Head) Guided the Cardinals to a 26-7 overall record and 16-2 MAC mark for second regular-season title in as many years - first time BSU had won back-to-back regular season titles in program history; exceeded expectations with reloaded roster after "Core Four" starters graduated; Mentored two players to All-MAC First Team honors as well as an All-MAC honorable mention and an athlete who was All freshman team and All defensive team.

J. Agnew (Swimming & Diving) 2026 MAC Women's Swimming Coach of the Year; Coached BSU to its first 3rd place MAC finish in 28 years - two spots higher than preseason projections; coached nine student-athletes to first team all-conference honors; led BSU to six dual meet victories which is the most since 2011-12.

Kelli Miller Phillips (Women's Volleyball) 2025 MAC Coach of the Year earning the honor for the third time in her career; led team to a 17-1 MAC record and the MAC regular season title despite missing three projected starters due to injury; players earned MAC Player of the Year, MAC Setter of the Year, four First Team All MAC selections and one MAC All-Freshman Team accolade.

Adrian Wheatley (Cross Country/Track & Field) Adrian coached MAC pentathlon and heptathlon champion, Ball State's 9th & 10th straight MAC multi-event champions. Four Indoor Track All-MAC recipients including Freshman Field Performer of the Year, Nina Garner; Senior Kenli Nettles reached the NCAA Championship Finals in June 2025, the fourth straight year a Wheatley-coached student-athlete has reached the NCAA Finals.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This male athlete encompasses Ball State athletics by working hard and excelling not only in their sport, but also in the classroom. This athlete is a person that people gravitate to and look towards for leadership.

Nate Voorhis – Football - Had 31 tackles, 12 sacks (1st in the MAC, finished 5th in the nation), 17 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 1st team All - MAC.

Patrick Rogers – Volleyball - Received 2025 All-MIVA First Team honors; AVCA All-American Honorable Mention; Led team with 363 kills and 33 aces; selected to 2025 U23 National Team and Beach Collegiate National Team.

Dylan Grego – Baseball - Dylan Grego had a breakout year in 2025. He was named Academic All-American and 3rd team All-American, he had 91 hits which was three behind the all-time leader. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round.

Mason Jones – Basketball - Mason Jones embodies the standard of a Ball State student-athlete through his consistency, work ethic, and commitment to the program. Initially projected as a sixth or seventh man, he earned a starting role in 30 of 31 games, a testament to his growth and reliability. Averaging 30.9 minutes and 4.4 rebounds per game, Jones proved himself to be an essential contributor and a player the team could depend on every night.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This female athlete encompasses Ball State Athletics values by working hard and excelling not only in their sport, but also in the classroom. This athlete is a person that people gravitate to and look towards for leadership.

Bree Salenbien (Women's Basketball) - 1st team All MAC; All Tournament Team; MAC tourney - Averaged 17 points per game and 7 rebounds per game - 3 MAC Player of the Week Awards

McKayla Timmons (Softball) - Timmons is only the second player in program history to be a three-time all-region honoree, joining BSU Hall of Famer Jenny Gilbert. The 2025 MAC Player of the Year and first-ever MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Timmons finished the season ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and 32nd nationally with a .434 batting average. In addition to the strong batting average, Timmons boasted the nation's third-best on base percentage at .615 after collecting 59 hits and tying for seventh nationally with 48 walks and tying for 15th nationally in times hit by a pitch at 15. Of her 59 hits, 16 were home runs, 12 were doubles and two were triples, helping her rank 14th nationally with a .904 slugging percentage. She is dedicated in helping other athletes reach their full potential on and off the field and especially in the weight room. She is going into her second season play in the Pro Softball League with the Atlanta Smoke and has set the tone for future Cards here in the softball program.

Payton Kelly (Women's Swim and Dive) - Team Captain, SAAC International Student Chair, 3.9 GPA, holds 4 individual school records and member of all 5 Relay records. Selected as Most Outstanding Swimmer of the MAC Championship and Senior Swimmer of the Year at '26 MAC Championship. Qualified for NCAA Championship in 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.

Isabel Tanjuatco (Women's Tennis) - SAAC rep, Izzy has been someone we can count on every time she steps on the court. She went undefeated in doubles during nonconference, won the Milwaukee Tennis Classic with Sarah, and made a deep run at the ITA Masters in San Diego. What stands out most is how hard she competes and how much she cares about representing the team.

MEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR

This is a hard-working team that has received measurable achievements in their conference, created a legacy in their program, and positively impacted the Muncie community.

Baseball – coming off a 36-win season in 2025, baseball earned a #3 seed in the MAC Championship; had six players named to All-MAC teams; two players drafted in the 2025 MLB draft (Grego and Hartlaub). Starting the 2026 campaign with a 12-11 record including 7-2 in the MAC.

Men's Golf – Finished as the #2 team in the 2025 MAC Championship, giving the Cardinals three straight runner-up or champion finishes for the first time since 1978-1980. Won the fall 2025 Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational with a program record low score of -27.

Men's Volleyball – finished the 2025 season with a #5 seed in the MIVA tournament; off to a strong start in 2026 with a record of 19-3 and leading the MIVA standings with four matches to go in the regular season.

WOMEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR

This is a hard-working team that has received measurable achievements in their conference, created a legacy in their program, and positively impacted the Muncie community.

Women's Basketball - Claimed the MAC regular season title for the second-straight season; secured the #2 seed in the MAC Tournament; Achieved 26 wins including 16 in the MAC.

Gymnastics - Has built a culture centered on accountability, support, and high performance. The team has successfully balanced competitive excellence in the NCAA with strong academic achievement and meaningful community engagement, creating a program that represents Ball State at the highest level. Five individuals were named to the NCAA Lexington regional.

Women's Swimming & Diving – Picked to finish 5th in 2025-26; Finished 3rd for the first time since 1998 with 500 team points in the championship, up nearly 200 points from 2025.

Women's Volleyball – Won the MAC regular season title; Won 21 matches in 2025 including 10 straight in conference and 17 of 18 matches

GOODNIGHT AND GO CARDINALS!