Ball State University Athletics
Kelly and Lancaster Tabbed as Ball State's MAC Medal of Excellence Winners
May 20, 2026 | Men's Tennis, Women's Swimming and Diving
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ball State swimmer Payton Kelly and tennis player Jacks Lancaster are among 26 Mid-American Conference (MAC) student-athletes will be presented with the Medal of Excellence Award during the 2026 Honors Dinner Ceremony at the Cleveland Hotel as part of MAC Spring Meetings on Thursday, May 29th.
The Medal of Excellence is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 13 Conference member institutions.
"These Medal of Excellence recipients represent the very best of the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. "Their success in academics and athletics, combined with their leadership and service, speaks to their character and commitment. We are proud to recognize the impact they continue to make on their campuses and in their communities."
To receive the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes must have participated at the varsity level in a Conference-sponsored sport, maintained a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, and demonstrated excellence in athletics, leadership, and service. Honorees are selected by their respective institutions.
Kelly qualified for the NCAA Swimming Championships in March this year, participating in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. In addition to first-team All-MAC honors, she was named the MAC's Most Outstanding Swimmer and Most Outstanding Senior while the Cardinals earned a third-place finish at the conference swim meet. Kelly captured six medals at the 2026 MAC Championships (three individual and three relays, with gold in the 50 free and 100 back). She earned 20 individual event wins during her senior season, and was a part of 19 relay wins. She was a two-time MAC Swimmer of the Week.
Lancaster held down the No. 1 singles position for Ball State's tennis team, consistently facing the league's best competition. A standout moment in his senior campaign was a "gritty" week in March where he secured back-to-back three-set wins against UIC and Northern Illinois, delivering the deciding point to anchor team victories which earned him MAC Player of the Week honors. He helped the Cardinals clinch the No. 4 seed in the MAC Championships.
Ball State Medal of Excellence Recipients - 2026
Jacks Lancaster, Men's Tennis, BS in Finance, 3.815 GPA
Payton Kelly, Women's Swimming & Diving, BS in Exercise Science, 3.982 GPA
The Medal of Excellence is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 13 Conference member institutions.
"These Medal of Excellence recipients represent the very best of the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. "Their success in academics and athletics, combined with their leadership and service, speaks to their character and commitment. We are proud to recognize the impact they continue to make on their campuses and in their communities."
To receive the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes must have participated at the varsity level in a Conference-sponsored sport, maintained a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, and demonstrated excellence in athletics, leadership, and service. Honorees are selected by their respective institutions.
Kelly qualified for the NCAA Swimming Championships in March this year, participating in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. In addition to first-team All-MAC honors, she was named the MAC's Most Outstanding Swimmer and Most Outstanding Senior while the Cardinals earned a third-place finish at the conference swim meet. Kelly captured six medals at the 2026 MAC Championships (three individual and three relays, with gold in the 50 free and 100 back). She earned 20 individual event wins during her senior season, and was a part of 19 relay wins. She was a two-time MAC Swimmer of the Week.
Lancaster held down the No. 1 singles position for Ball State's tennis team, consistently facing the league's best competition. A standout moment in his senior campaign was a "gritty" week in March where he secured back-to-back three-set wins against UIC and Northern Illinois, delivering the deciding point to anchor team victories which earned him MAC Player of the Week honors. He helped the Cardinals clinch the No. 4 seed in the MAC Championships.
Ball State Medal of Excellence Recipients - 2026
Jacks Lancaster, Men's Tennis, BS in Finance, 3.815 GPA
Payton Kelly, Women's Swimming & Diving, BS in Exercise Science, 3.982 GPA
Players Mentioned
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Tennis
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