Hayward Hits NCAA ‘B’ Qualifying Standard

Anderson University freshman diver Matthew Hayward (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) diving hit the NCAA 'B' qualifying standard in the 1-meter diving event during Saturday's dual meet against Manchester University in Bennett Natatorium.

"I am unbelievably proud of what Matthew and Coach Andra Pavich have been able to accomplish in this season," head coach Tyler Donges said. "I have watched day by day as Matthew has pushed himself to be better and that works has paid off with his regional qualification."

A diver can qualify for the NCAA Diving Regionals by eclipsing an 11-dive score of 425 in the 1-meter diving events in two meets this season. Last Saturday, Hayward posted a 477 during Anderson's meet at Bethel University (Ind.) The freshman for Fort Wayne won this Saturday's 1-meter diving event with a total score of 454.45 points and an average score of 41.31 points per dive. Hayward is the first male diver in program history to qualify for the NCAA Diving Regionals.

"Matthew has been such a great diver to coach this season," assistant diving coach Andra Pavich said. "He's made a lot of progress in a short amount of time. I'm excited that he qualified for regionals and I'm very proud of him! He was definitely having an off meet but he made the best of it and he was able to pull off some really great dives and get that qualifying score! I can't wait to see what more he can accomplish this season and seasons to come."

"It's pretty exciting to see how my freshman year has been playing out," Hayward added. "I'm excited to represent Anderson University at regionals and hopefully put Anderson on the map and get more recruitment for this growing program. Both Coach Andra [Pavich], Coach Tyler [Donges], and my amazing teammates Halle Strege, and Alaina Buroker have been preparing me for moments like these in practice and I'm extremely grateful for the mentoring and coaching from both of my coaches and teammates. All glory be to God."

The Ravens (2-1) cruised past the Spartans (0-3) with a 167-30 victory.

Kris Keller (Fishers, Ind./Northridge) captured first place in the 100-yard individual medley with a school-record time of 57.8 seconds. The senior from Fishers improved his personal record (PR) in the 100 individual medley by 2.22 seconds. Keller also raced to first in the 50 backstroke with a PR time of 27.86 seconds.

Evan Kropf (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) raced to first (49.59) in the 100 freestyle. The junior from Fort Wayne also locked up first in the 500 freestyle (5:29.24) and the 1,000 freestyle (11:14.13).

Noah Scheffer (Lambertville, Mich./Bedford) sprinted to first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.61 seconds. The sophomore from Lambertville, Mich. also claimed first (24.23) in the 50 butterfly and second (58.62) in the 100 individual medley.

Josh Ekberg (Mahomet, Ill./Mahomet-Seymour) took first (1:03.28) in the 100 breaststroke. The senior from Mahomet, Ill. also earned first (28.86) in the 50 breaststroke.

Cameron Stanley (Lizton, Ind./Tri-West) captured first (1:59.46) in the 200 freestyle and second (58.75) in the 50 butterfly.

Senior Bryce Holt (Osceola, Ind./Penn) earned first (1:03.23) in the 100 backstroke and third (1:04.88) in the 100 individual medley.

David Lange (Milaca, Minn./Princeton) recorded second-place finishes in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.84), 200 freestyle (2:03.56) and 50 breaststroke (30.38).

Senior Wil Lashbrook (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) claimed second in both the 100 freestyle (53.91) and 50 backstroke (29.13).

Anthony Stultz (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) finished second (1:08.76) in the 100 backstroke.

Anderson took the top two spots in both relays. During the 200 medley relay; Holt, Ekberg, Keller and Lashbrook locked up first (1:46.69) while Stultz, Lange, Scheffer and Stanley earned second (1:51.28). In the 200 freestyle relay; Ekberg, Holt, Lashbrook and Keller captured first (1:35.76) while Stanley, Stultz, Hayward and Kropf claimed second (1:41.31).

Calvin University is set to host the NCAA D-III Central Region Diving Championships in Grand Rapids, Mich. on a date and time yet to be determined.

The Ravens battle Transylvania University (1-4) next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bennett Natatorium.