Hayward Qualifies for NCAA Diving Regionals

Anderson University men's swimming and diving sophomore Matthew Hayward (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Concordia Lutheran) qualified for the NCAA D-III Diving Regionals during Friday's dual with Asbury University in Bennett Natatorium.

Hayward improved his 11-dive 1-meter diving school record with a score of 514.75 points, smashing his previous school record by 33.55 points. He contributed an average of 46.80 points per dive. The sophomore from Fort Wayne broke the NCAA 'B' qualifying standard of 425 points for the second time this season to secure his bid to the NCAA D-III Diving Regionals. Hayward also qualified for the diving regionals during his freshman year, but the diving regionals were ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Matthew has made so much progress on his dives so far this season," Assistant Diving Coach Andra Pavich said. "He has worked very hard to come back from his injury at the end of last season. He has been working hard with the goal of going to regionals. I'm really proud of how far he has come from last season. Diving is a very mental sport, so it can be really tough to come back after getting injured while diving, but he has been able to put in the work and clean up his dives to do his best. It's pretty exciting that [Matthew Hayward and Halle Strege] are now going to regionals.

Asbury University (2-3) put together a 154-57 victory against Anderson (2-4).

"The team showed some great times with great team spirit," Head Coach Emma Maubach said. "It's a great way to end the semester before going into Winter Break! I think the team is looking forward to the team bonding that the training trip will bring. It will also be a great step towards success at conference."

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Matthew Hayward – 1-Meter Diving Event – 514.75 Points (11-Dive School Record) – 1st Place – Hit NCAA 'B' Qualifying Standard – Qualified for NCAA Diving Regionals
• Evan Kropf – 100 Backstroke – 54.49 Seconds – 1st Place
• Devin Goodrich – 100 Butterfly – 1:03.54 – Personal Record
• Ben Hall – 50 Freestyle Split – 23.58 Seconds – Personal Record
• Noah Scheffer – 100 Butterfly – 54.88 Seconds – Season Best
• Evan Kropf – 50 Freestyle – 22.29 Seconds – Season Best  
• The Anderson 200 Freestyle Relay – Ben Hall, David Lange, Cameron Stanley, Evan Kropf – 1:34.67 – Season Best

NCAA D-III DIVING REGIONALS

By punching his ticket to the NCAA D-III Diving Regionals, Hayward is set to compete in the 1-meter diving event on Feb. 26 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

UP NEXT

The Ravens, which are 2-2 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action, take on Transylvania University (3-3, 1-1) in conference play on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Lexington, Ky.