AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s Felicia Klintemar and Ball State’s Payton Kelly each punched their ticket into the NCAA Championships on the second night of the 2026 Mid-American Conference Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. Akron holds onto the lead in the team standings with 265 team points through seven events.

Akron’s Helena Lalkovic started off the night with a first-place finish in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:47.76. Teammate Elle Couture joined her on the podium, finishing third (4:49.49).

The Zips’ Felicia Klintemar was the first swimmer to punch her ticket to the NCAA Swim & Dive Championships, after touching 1:57.52 in the 200 Individual Medley. Her teammate, Avery Knight, took third (2:00.32) to earn a bronze medal.

Payton Kelly earned Ball State’s first gold medal of the weekend, after crushing the 50 Freestyle with a time of 21.88 to also punch her ticket to the NCAA Championships. Kelly’s time crushed the pool, the Mid-American Conference, and the MAC Championship records.

Grace Walker became the first Cardinal to win the 1-Meter since Bath Clark in 2001. Walker scored 298.75 to earn her first gold medal.

Akron wrapped up Thursday’s competition by earning a first-place finish and pool record of 3:32.40 in the 400 medley relay, by Felicia Klintemar, Claire Cox, Callie Parkes, and Ada Szwabinska.

The 2026 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship continues Friday morning for the third day of competition. Prelims beginning at 10:00 AM (EST) with the finals to follow at 6:00 PM (EST), including the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and 200 freestyle relay.
 
2025 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Event Winners
200 Medley Relay – Akron (Klintemar, Cox, Parkes, Szwabinska) 1:36.22 *^$
800 Freestyle Relay – Akron (Lalkovic, Trumpower, Couture, Trainer) 7:12.46
500 Freestyle –Helena Lalkovic (Akron), 4:47.76
200 Individual Medley – Felicia Klintemar (Akron), 1:57.52
50 Freestyle – Payton Kelly (Ball State), 21.88 *^$
1-Meter Diving – Grace Walker (Ball State), 298.75
400 Medley Relay – Akron (Klintemar, Cox, Parkes, Szwabinska), 3:32.40 $
 
* MAC Championship Record
^ MAC Record
 $ Oliver J. Ocasek Natatorium Pool Record
NCAA Automatic Qualifier