While Saturday's meet against Michigan State University was disappointing for the Ball State University swimming and diving teams, it was also encouraging.
The Michigan State women beat Ball State 136 to 107 while the Spartans' men's team won 149 to 94.
However, co-coaches Laura Seibold-Caudill and Bob Thomas said they saw a lot of positives from their teams.
"We put up a good fight," Seibold-Caudill said. "I felt like we were in there. They were just a little bit too strong in some of the key events."
For the Ball State women, freshman Maria Gramelspacher won the 200-yard freestyle and freshman Katie Bylsma won the 50-yard freestyle. Junior Megan Ploetz won the 200-yard butterfly.
The men's team was led by sophomore Ben Battjes who won the 50-yard freestyle. He was also part of two relay teams that won.
The Ball State men's "A" team of sophomore Adam Dale, senior Ryan Franklin, sophomore Jacob Morris and Battjes won the 200-yard medley relay.
The Ball State men's "A" team of sophomore Josh Young, sophomore Austin Laska, Battjes and Morris won the 200-yard freestyle relay.
"I thought they did a valiant effort at staying competitive," Thomas said.
Seibold-Caudill said Michigan State was surprised by Ball State.
"I think we stepped up better than they did," Seibold-Caudill said. "I think we had a better meet than they did."