I have experienced many different angles of being diagnosed with neurodivergence over the course of my life. It caused overwhelming emotions that I was not necessarily able to grasp.

My entire life, teachers had told my parents I was extremely gifted but had trouble focusing. Many teachers and professors later wrote it off as me being "chatty" simply because I did not fit the stereotype of being neurodivergent. It was not until I was 18 that I finally got my first diagnosis, and to this day, I am still unsure whether or not it is the correct one.

For years, women and young girls who were struggling with attention, sensory overload or social exhaustion have been told they were being dramatic, anxious, lazy or overcompensating. Only recently have medicine and societal perceptions begun to acknowledge what many women facing these challenges already know.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high functioning autism have been hiding in plain sight and completely overlooked. This is not because they are rare conditions, but rather because they do not look the way clinicians were trained to expect.

According to a January 2025 article published by Understood, Kathleen Nadeau, the founder and director of one of the largest private ADHD specialty clinics in the United States, states that many women and young girls experience what is called inattentive ADD. The article states, "Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD."

Inattentive ADD comes with many internal struggles, such as constant anxious thoughts, early issues of negative body image, the need to strive for perfectionism and extreme time awareness, according to a March 2025 article published by Cleveland Clinic. All of these major symptoms are ones that go unnoticed by many.

The prevailing image of ADHD remains a hyperactive young boy bouncing in a classroom chair, unable to keep still or be quiet. Meanwhile, autism is still commonly associated with young males who exhibit obvious social difficulties or repetitive behaviors.

These stereotypes have shaped diagnostic tools and research samples for clinical judgment for decades. This results in the quiet, widespread underdiagnosis of girls and women, particularly those with inattentive ADHD, high-functioning autism or both, sometimes referred to as AuDHD.

According to research reported in a November 2024 article published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the gender gap in diagnoses does not reflect the true prevalence. ADHD affects an estimated 11.4 percent of children in the United States.

Boys are diagnosed at roughly twice the rate of girls in childhood, but that disparity shrinks dramatically in adulthood. However, a red flag is that many girls are being missed early on. A review published by The National Institute of Medicine notes that inattentive symptoms, more common in girls, are less likely to trigger referrals because they are quieter and less disruptive in classroom settings.

One of the major reasons girls and women go undiagnosed is because of masking. At a young age, many of us learn to consciously suppress behaviors that might be seen as odd, impulsive or socially unacceptable.

We memorize conversation scripts, mimic peers and overcompensate for executive dysfunction through perfectionism and performance. Masking may reduce external disruptions, but it comes at a cost for the person internally.

Not only that, but according to an October 2024 article by Cleveland Clinic, studies link long-term masking to higher rates of anxiety, depression and burnout among autistic women.

This is something I have experienced most of my life. Instead of having my own personality, I have become a scrapbook of everyone I have ever loved. Sometimes it may feel daunting, but there are some beautiful aspects to it.

However, the long-term effects of masking have led to significant personal self-doubt and a constant need to be the best at what I do.

Societal expectations also play a powerful role.

Girls are often praised for being compliant and empathetic, traits that can conceal inattentiveness or sensory overload. Teachers interpret female distractions as daydreams rather than a student who needs evaluation.

Clinicians may also unconsciously downplay them, especially when they do not align with traditional male-based diagnostic models.

According to a 2023 survey that was published in a March 2025 article by Frontiers, the survey found that many teachers overlooked girls' struggles and that their female students were more likely than boys to go undiagnosed with ADHD, citing behavioral bias and limited training amongst faculty.

The consequences of missed diagnoses extend well into adulthood. If left untreated, ADHD is associated with difficulties in time management, employment stability and emotional regulation. Similarly, autism can go unrecognized until adulthood, when social and sensory demands increase and coping strategies begin to collapse.

I was not diagnosed until I was 18, and when it came to my personality, I always felt as though it was too much. I was constantly pretending, even when the racing thoughts refused to stop.

Ultimately, underdiagnosis is not just a medical failure, but a societal one.

When systems are built around narrow definitions of what is considered normal, those who adapt quietly are likely to be overlooked. Girls and women with ADHD and autism have always been here, excelling while struggling, masking and surviving without the proper terminology to name or validate their experience.

Although it may seem quieter, it does not mean the screaming voices in our heads shut off. Neurodivergence in women and girls is equally important to the stereotyped diagnosis they have for boys.

As a society, we need to take girls' requests for help more seriously. It can cause significant emotional conflict if not diagnosed early.

Contact Macey Kessler via email at macey.kessler@bsu.edu.

Today: Windy and cloudy conditions during the day today with a high of 38 degrees and winds at 20 mph. Although it will feel very cold today, we can look forward to warmer temperatures in the upcoming days.

Tonight: Temperatures sitting around 31 degrees with winds persisting overnight. Skies will be cloudy and wind chills will be making it seem a lot colder, so make sure to bundle up!

Tomorrow: We will finally see the sun tomorrow as it peaks through the clouds and heats us up. Temperatures will be sitting in the 40s for most of the day while winds stay at 10-15 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: We are going to be on quite a roller coaster for the next week weather-wise. The next couple of days temperatures will sit in the low-40s with a slight chance of snow on Thursday morning. Over the weekend it is going to be very warm for this time of year with possibilities of Muncie hitting 56 degrees on Saturday. After the warm weekend, Monday and Tuesday are going to take us by storm with chances of snow and freezing rain, also with a temperature drop.

- Weather Forecaster Daphne Gibaud

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program please click HERE

For the Love of the Craft

Olivia Lauryn Dean was born Mar. 14, 1999, in East London, England. She grew up with parents who were super supportive of her aspiring musical endeavors. With her mother being a civil servant and her dad a tech-based career. She didn't have to come from a necessarily musical family for them to recognize the art form she chose to shine through. Her mother introduced her to the BRITS school, the "number one leading performing and creative arts school in the UK." Alumni include musical legends such as Adele and Amy Winehouse. Here, she could learn formally about music and be around people who are like-minded. The encouragement from her mother, and seeing family members thriving with artistic careers made young Dean believe that this is a possible life to thrive from herself, she explained on the And the Writer Is…podcast.

Dean is absolutely not an overnight success, in fact, she is a decade in the making. In 2017, while still in Brits School, she had her first gig atServant Jazz Quarters, A bar and music venue in London where she sold out the capacity of 70 tickets. From here on, she became very passionate for the love of the game, continuing to perform at any gig she could get her hands on. From performing at a prawn restaurant with three people to performing for an audience of zero, Dean did it for the love of music, no matter who was watching.

Fast forward to 2021 where she was awarded Amazon Music UK's Breakthrough Artist of the year. She also went viral with her exceptional performance at a Camden Town Jazz Cafe in London, with the 35-minute set garnering over seven million views and introducing millions to Dean's discography. With this momentum, she released her five-song project, "Growth," revolving around the theme of growing and outgrowing aspects of life, such as getting comfortable with her own company, with the song "Be My Own Boyfriend." While simultaneously posting covers to the likes of Aretha Franklin andRadiohead on YouTube. Starting an on-the-road tour in a truck with her band, she titled "From Me to You," she would play sets on beaches, bars, and parks, having missed performing while being in lockdown. She worked hard and settled her name in the music industry, letting us know she's here to stay, and this is only the beginning.

A Messily Beautiful Debut

Throughout the next couple of years, she would go on to crafting her 2023 debut album, Messy. Following up her first EP, the singer's first official album was shortlisted for the esteemed Mercury Prize, stating on its website, "It is the music equivalent to the Booker Prize for literature and the Turner Prize for art." At this time she is only 24 years old, and according toOnes to Watch, she described the project as "an album about learning to fall in love again, the fear that comes with it, and finding independence within that." She states that she named the album after she completed all the songs on it, going on to say that the word messy just came to her as a perfect way to wrap up the experience, yet in a beautiful way. The single, "Dive," was without a doubt her first song to push her more into the spotlight internationally, appearing on Genius to annotate the lyrics to the song. Paired with this single, she also teased the album release with tracks "UFO" and "Carmen" for the Messy album rollout. "Carmen" was the first time she wrote about her lineage, and is the closing track to this wonderfully authentic debut. The track is an ode to her grandmother, who immigrated to the UK at 18 years old as a part of the Windrush generation. Dean wanted to archive her life and sacrifice through this track, with what she describes as a jubilee. She describes her reasoning behind creating the song on a panel at the British Library, "I'm a product of her bravery, I'm able to live the life that I'm living now because she had the foresight of needing to change everything for the people coming after her."

International Stamp of Approval

It's 2025, and it's time for her sophomore album rollout with The Art of Loving. In an interview with Apple Music, she says virality has had its effect on many aspiring artists, primarily in the 2020's. Fortunately, this made its impact on her career and gave her yet another boost. After releasing singles "Man I Need"and "Nice to Each Other," they went viral on TikTok, garnering millions of views with the choruses being used as popular sounds. Experiencing official international acclaim. Crossing over oceans from her home in the UK into mainstream American streaming and radio. "Man I Need" becoming certified platinum, "Nice to Each Other" and "A Couple Minutes" earning Gold, along with the album itself,The Art of Loving, according to theRIAA. Speaking of "A Couple Minutes," its virality certified her credibility with the COLORSperformance of the song, garnering over seven million views. Award season was quite nice to her, with Dean earning her very first Grammyfor Best New Artistat the 2026 Grammy Awards.

A Masterclass in Achieving Your Dreams

Throughout her 10-year-long career, Dean has been active and maintained her love for music through and through. She teaches us that, "if you do a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life." As of now, she is preparing her Art of Loving Tourand six sold-out nights at the O2, which is a big accomplishment for UK musicians. She has taken a break from the big year she has just had in 2025 and is preparing to perform a show at the BRIT Awards. Where she has also been nominated for five awards: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for the Art of Loving, Best Pop Act, and Song of the Year for tracks "Man I Need" and "Rein Me In"with indie/heartland rock artist Sam Fender. She is also the new face of Burberry Her where she also included an exclusive original song along with the ad.

Sources: Spotify, BRITSschool, Spotify, Spotify, YouTube, ServantJazzQuarters, NME, CamdenTownJazzCafe, YouTube, Spotify, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube, YouTube, Spotify, MercuryPrize, MercuryPrize, OnestoWatch, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, JCWI, YouTube, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, X(FormerlyTwitter), YouTube, Grammys, OliviaDean, Instagram, AlbertHall, Spotify, Spotify,BurberryHer

Images: Instagram, Instagram, Instagram, Instagram

Ball State's Counseling Center provides individual counseling, group therapy, support groups and community mental health services. All services are funded through student fees, allowing enrolled students to have access without extra cost.

In addition to one on one counseling the center hosts workshops and outreach events across campus. Building an environment that makes emotional wellness important. Aiming to reach students who may not initially seek traditional therapy.

While the demand for counseling services has increased in recent years so has the effort to increase resources. Reflecting the rise of stress levels, as well as the awareness of mental health. Having access to support is a key part of student success.

"Feels on wheels was a program we started last semester around finals week, we have stress balls and coloring books, handing those out can be helps to students, we have recently looked into getting therapy dogs on campus," explained director of Counseling and Health Services, Dr. Bill Betts

Inside the counseling center, there is a dedicated space offering students more than just traditional therapy. During business hours it provides free massage chairs, light therapy and self help materials. Designed to create an atmosphere where students can decompose and get out of their traditional environment.

If in person counseling is not the right fit students also have access to online support through Ball State University's Counseling Center called WellTrack. Offering professional mental health support digitally. A canvas course is also available to help provide students with encouragement and tips that benefit students emotional well being. This allows students to privately engage in mental health services in a space they feel is most comfortable.

As the weight of course work and campus life grows, the counseling center remains focused on providing support and resources. Whether it's a quick chat with a counselor or participating in a mental health workshop, students don't have to face anxiety or depression alone.

"Students say coming to the Counseling Center helps them stay in school. Our last survey we did 89% of students said that coming to the Counseling Center helped them stay at Ball State, and 80% of students said it helped them with their classes and be more productive. We really do know our services can be helpful and are effective for students." Betts said.

The Counseling Center aims to ensure every student feels supported through their college experience. If you are somewhere you know is facing mental health challenges, reach out.

Contact Rayanna Goble with comments at rayanna.goble@bsu.edu.

Tonight: Surface and upper-level ridging will make its way into our area tonight as low pressure exits eastward. Looking at models, mid to high level clouds riding tonight's ridge will provide the cloudiness for tonight. Along with this ridge warm air will also return, but will mostly lead to slight upper level warming. Another notable element worth mentioning is wind chill temperatures and wind gusts. The wind chill and wind gust combo will make tonight's low of 20 degrees feel a lot colder. Dress very very warm.

Tomorrow: Low pressure from the west assisted with short waves will enhance the probability of a system coming into our area. Tuesday specifically will serve as a transitional day where weather will change from one pattern to another. As high pressure moves eastward out of our area the winds shift direction becoming southerly. This provides our area with warmer air (warm air advection). This warmer air from the south is the leading reason our temperatures will be in the 40's.

Seven-Day Forecast: That low pressure that I mentioned before will continue to strengthen just west of us (towards the upper Mississippi) on Wednesday. The more it strengthens, the more we're at risk for wind and better snow and rain chances. During the day Wednesday we'll continue to experience warm temperatures and more of the southerly wind along with mostly dry conditions. But come Wednesday night into Thursday morning a cold front associated with our strengthening low will increase our cloud coverage and create pre-frontal rain, possibly snow. As our low moves towards the Great Lakes and the cold front passes through, temperature drop and wind direction shifts Northwest , no longer receiving warm southerly flow. Thursday is when we'll feel the change in everything . Come Friday though, the return of high pressure will build again clearing out the skies and pushing for low-50's. The warm up is a result of the angles ridge shifted towards the Atlantic coast. Saturday will likely be our warmest day starting our Spring break off with warmth. A clipper also known as a small, quick, light precipitation along with a cold air snap may also bring colder temperatures, increasing cloud coverage and possible rain and snow mix Saturday into Sunday.

- Weather Forecaster Rachel Fulton

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program please click HERE

John Mulaney: Mr. Whatever

John Mulaney is coming to Emens on his Mister Whatever tour! John Mulaney is a three-time Emmy Award, Critics' Choice award and WGA award-winning writer, comedian and actor. He consistently tours, and he has sold out venues around North America, from Madison Square Garden multiple times to the Hollywood Bowl.

• Price: Adult: $149.50 / $119.50 / $99.50 / $79.50, Reserved Seating
• Location: Emens Auditorium
• Date and Time: Sunday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m.

Ball State University Men's Basketball v. UMass - Alumni Day

Cheer on the Cardinals as they face off against UMass! Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate their alumni at this special game!

• Price: Free for Students
• Location: Worthen Arena
• Date and Time: Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Lavender Closet Grand Opening

The Lavender Closet is opening! Come stop by to check out the new space, grab some new clothes, and hang out with some crafts and snacks! Lavender Closet's goal is to provide resources and a safe queer space to the Muncie and Ball State community by offering free clothing, affirming items, and a welcoming place to exist as you are.

• Price: Free
• Location: Community of Hope, 1986 W. Main Street, Door 1
• Date and Time: Thursday, February 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Yoga is for EveryBody: Free Community Class

Yoga is for EveryBody is not just a class-it's a celebration of unity and mindfulness. Led by Che'Reese Anderson, MBA, MSN/HC, RN, and CEO of Namaste, this Vinyasa yoga session links breath with movement through creative sequences, offering a dynamic practice that adapts to all levels. Whether you're new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this class provides the perfect opportunity to connect with your body, mind, and spirit in a supportive, welcoming environment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat (or beach towel), wear comfortable clothing, and come with an open heart.

• Price: Free
• Location: Center Building, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
• Date and Time: Saturday, February 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Indiana's early voting period would be cut from 28 days to 16 days in ayear-old pushrevived by Republican state senators.

The proposal for fewer early voting days was added Monday by the Senate Elections Committee through anamendment;no public testimony was allowed.

Committee Chair Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, said the change he proposed would still allow for three weekends of in-person early voting ahead of Election Day.

"A shorter amount of time for early voting will save money and also make it easier to administer the election," Gaskill said.

Fewer days proposal criticized

Democratic senators and voting-rights advocates berated the proposal as one that would mean longer lines for people wanting to cast their ballots early and hurt Indiana's alreadylow voter turnout.

Of the 1.4 million early ballots cast in the 2024 general election, about 300,000 came during the days proposed for elimination, said Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis.

"I think this is going to increase those lines and put some really heavy burdens on our (county) clerks," Ford said. "Essentially this is going to take away from working-class folks who need that time because they might have an inflexible work schedule or caregiving responsibilities or even transportation issues."

The early voting change was inserted intoSenate Bill 1359, which was focused on rules for when local election officials could scan early voting ballots. The committee voted 7-2 along party lines to advance it to the full Senate.

Gaskill didn't allow any public testimony on the amendment, saying the committee had heard from the public about shortening the time for early voting when it considered a similar bill last year.

That 2025 proposal called for a 14-day early voting period. It cleared the Senate Elections Committee but never was called for a full Senate vote becauseit did not have enough support to pass.

Proposal called "sneak attack"

Julia Vaughn, executive director of the voting-rights group Common Cause Indiana, said she was "extremely disappointed that such a major policy change was made with no opportunity for public comment."

"This is a sneak attack on early voting and I urge voters to tell their senator to vote no," Vaughn told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

The bill cleared the House last month, so if the early voting change wins Senate approval it could become law without any public testimony on the issue during this year's session.

Gaskill called his proposal for a 16-day early voting period a compromise from last year's 14-day proposal.

"It did have testimony last year, quite a bit in this committee," Gaskill said after Monday's meeting. "So it's not like we're bringing a topic out of nowhere that's never been discussed before. It was vetted quite at length last year."

Gaskill cited criticism raised by other Republican legislators about Indiana having an "election month rather than an Election Day." He said the change would shift Indiana from having one of the country's longest early voting periods to being in the middle range.

"I'm of the opinion that the shorter period is a compromise between folks that do have concerns about election integrity with a longer period of early voting," Gaskill said. "It still puts us kind of in the middle of the pack of what other states do."

According to MAP, an independent think tank, 14 states have early voting lasting more than 22 days. Another eight states range between 15-21 days of early voting. Twenty-two states are between 7-14 days.

The Representation, Innovation, Support and Engagement (RISE) ticket had Senator Quinn Davis running for the presidential position with Senator Addy Morey alongside him in the vice presidential position.

The WORK ticket had current Chief of Staff Caleb Trinoskey in its presidential position with Senator Finley Gay alongside him in the vice presidential position.

The RISE ticket won the election with 810 votes which is approximately 70% of the vote.

Both tickets had gone to their social media platforms to give out their messages to their supporters and what they are now planning to do after the results.

The RISE ticket thanked every student and organization that they had met during their campaign and that they are excited to start working on all of their platform points.

"We're so excited to start turning our platform points into action and to keep having real conversations about how we can continue improving Ball State together." RISE said via Instagram Feb. 18. "None of this would have been possible without your support. Thank you to everyone who listened to us, talked with us, voted for us, endorsed us, and most importantly, believed in us."

The WORK ticket said they were frustrated with their outcome with all the work they had put in and being excited to implement their platform points into legislation in SGA.

"Seeing Ball State students passionate about our platform was a reminder that SGA can do great things on this campus, and that trust between SGA and the student body can be earned." WORK said via InstagramFeb. 18.

WORK said that they will continue to serve on the SGA next year and will plan on bringing their platform points with them.

The inauguration of the RISE ticket will be April 15 at 3:15 p.m. in Cardinal Hall B at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.

Contact Landon Jones via email landon.jones2@bsu.edu

According to the Ball State Career Center's Cardinal Job Fair page, a job fair like the one on Wednesday contributes to a 93 percent career placement rate, which leads among other comparative schools.

However, in the midst of handing over résumés and taking headshot pictures, some students find trouble finding a job that fits their degree after graduation. This comes from a competitive job market.

Ball State's Career Center coordinator of employer relations Kyle Bell says many students can get ahead in finding a job by making good impressions and strong connections with the employers they meet.

"First impressions are huge," Bell said, "Employers will want to be able to have that connection. They're seeking that connection just as much as the student is."

If students did not attend the event, they still have a chance to keep up in the search for post-graduation work. It would involve keeping up with the competition and having awareness.

"I would describe [the job market] as competitive," Bell said. "So, students have to be on their game and have to really find ways that they're going to be able to be a step above other folks."

But, finding a job is not an individual effort. Bell reveals how the process takes many people along the way.

"Utilize your network of people. Utilize your friends," Bell said. "It honestly takes a village to help you get where you're going."

For help with a job or career, go to the Ball State career center or go to Cardinal Career Link.

Contact Evan Shotts with comments at evan.shotts@bsu.edu.

There is a picture in a cardboard box that hides under a cobbled together window seat, nestled against volumes of memories memorialized in slowly aging photo paper. A small girl with tousled blond hair stands in her living room, swallowed by a giant black t-shirt, the logo prominent in its bold orange and navy blue ferocity.

This small girl, face permanently stuck in a look of consternation, has been dealt the world's largest heartbreak: a life-long allegiance to the Chicago Bears.

The Bears have not won a Super Bowl since 1985, have not appeared in the championship game since the Colts' victory in 2007 and have been unable to obtain a winning season since 2018. Until now.

This season the Bears had their first winning season in seven years and broke their playoff losing streak with their first post-season win in 15 years over their long-time rivals the Green Bay Packers.

The team's second-year quarterback, Caleb Williams, broke the franchise's old single-season passing record with 3,942 yards, which was previously held by Erik Kramer during his 1995 season.

Williams led the league this year in fumbles recovered, defensive back Kevin Byard III held the most interceptions in the NFL this season and the team as a whole had more comebacks during the 2025 season than any other.

The now 106-year-old franchise broke records with their six regular season wins after trailing in the fourth quarter or last two minutes of the game. Their post-season game against the Packers left them with an 18-point deficit, requiring them to score 25 points in the fourth quarter alone to secure the victory.

It was with these impressive last minute feats that a team, one that was accustomed to letting down its fans, sparked hope and reignited loyalty among football fans around the Midwest, only further encouraged by the designation of a new moniker: the "Cardiac Bears."

The small girl from that picture now sat on a large, overworn and well-loved couch in a different living room, no longer swallowed by a t-shirt, but still enveloped in warmth as the man who started it all sat next to her in his own bright orange regalia.

His large hands kept busy, one wrapped around a dripping can of India Pale Ale (IPA) hastily bought from the closest Kroger and the other tangled in the fur of the world's most talkative mutt. He sat on the edge of his seat, loud encouragements for the "boys" falling from his mouth and rebounding off the glass screen of the TV that separated him from the field.

Cardiac arrest is not something to fear often. However, it is in these moments where the timer slowly counts down, the ball is on the wrong side of the field and the sound of a heartbeat fills your ears that a heart attack does not sound too impossible.

Then, an interception, two remaining minutes and the mutt is howling alongside the man's cheers. He turns, grin falling across his face, IPA dripping, and it is palpable how important this moment is to him - his boys are doing the impossible yet again.

The sheer amount of monumental victories by the Bears this season was not just celebrated in that singular household, rather the celebration seemed to ring through so many midwestern homes and slowly across the country.

The Bears took the NFL by storm, collecting distraught fans from other franchises after their team lost. The team's underdog spirit and band full of successful rookies and fresh-faced players seemed to remind people of what the sport was really about - sportsmanship, passionate athleticism and good ol'fashioned rivalry.

The Packers and Bears have faced off many times in past seasons, as well as this one, and Bears fans everywhere can be summoned with the iconic chant of "Packers Suck!" no matter what team they're playing.

Foam Party Hats created a "Graterhead" hat for Bears fans to wear in honor of their rivalry, the oldest in the NFL, and was quickly inundated with orders. The hats have since gone viral, and upon opening their website, Foam Party Hats will send you to a screen apologizing for the inability of their production to keep up with demand. New orders will not even begin to be filled until later this month.

These "Graterhead" hats are not the only thing that has gone viral in honor of the Chicago Bears and their impeccable last-minute game play.

Caleb Williams has long been notorious in the league for his painted nails, a tribute to his nail-technician mom, creating some controversy among the football community due to their association with more feminine characteristics.

However, after the Bears' first post-season win, a video went viral on TikTok of a group of male fans attending a nail salon before the team's face-off against the LA Rams on Jan. 18. While the video was initially intended to rally fans before the divisional round, it has encouraged a conversation about perceived femininity within sports.

For years, football has remained a boys' club with very limited female appearance among staff and officials. However, in more recent years, this number has been growing. Perhaps even more importantly, female engagement with the sport and the NFL as a whole has slowly been increasing in recent years.

Sponsor Pulse has found that as of the 2025 season, 59 percent of American women have been tuning in to NFL games. Many have attributed this shift to the presence of Taylor Swift at Chiefs games, resulting in scores of her fans flooding the stadiums' seats. This rise in female fandom among the more "machismo" sport has been a large step forward for the industry in terms of equality, both on the field and off.

On the other hand, equality is not something extended to only one side of the playing field; rather, it is a platform built to elevate everyone to the same level. And while it can be celebrated that women are more welcome within the professional football space, it feels meaningful that a Black man with colored nails previously labeled as "woke" or "girly" is afforded the opportunity to create trends within his sport.

Williams' painted nails encouraged fans to set aside their preconceived notions of masculinity and the way it applies to American football. It is because of his tribute to and connection with his mother that other men, especially within the Chicago area, felt secure enough to mimic the quarterback's manicure and further break down the barrier between masculinity in theory and masculinity in practice.

In addition, Williams' affinity for matcha also seemed to strike home with many Bears fans, male and female alike. Soldier Field now sells a matcha cocktail called "Wired In" in honor of the now iconic player's taste in both beverages and headphones.

While the season ended too short, much to Williams', the team's and fans' dismay, leaving fans to pack up their "Graterhead" hats and remove their festive nail polish, it left something behind for everyone to hold on to.

The Bears are just getting started. Whether it be with time-defying wins, creating a stronger and closer community, or slowly but surely changing the way we look at men in high-profile, high-contact sports, the Chicago Bears have started something that their fans will make sure they finish.

The young girl from before is a little older now, a little taller, more mature when she looks into the lens of a camera, but her allegiance remains the same. She talks to the TV now, just like her dad taught her. "The boys" only play well if she acts like they can hear her coaching from the couch, and when she turns to look at the man who forced her in that shirt so long ago, he will look her in the eye, smile and say, "Bear Down!"

And I will say right back, "Bear Down, Dad."

Contact Kyler Effner via email at kyler.effner@bsu.edu.

Although the temperature was 27 degrees, the Muncie community still showed up. Thousands of people gathered for the organization's largest fundraising event of the year to "brave the cold and bring hope to the hungry, the homeless, and those broken by addiction," according to its website.

The walk started in front of the Muncie Field House on Walnut Street. Participants walked through the heart of downtown Muncie, took a right onto 8th Street and finally a left onto Liberty Street. The walk ended at the Muncie Mission Ministries building, where people who participated were greeted with music, snacks and community.

The organization's history dates back to the Great Depression, when Rev. Eddie Thomas opened a soup kitchen in 1930 to serve hot meals and share messages about "God's redeeming love," according to the organization's website. By 1931, Muncie Mission was serving meals, offering worship, counseling and job referrals to those in need.

Fast-forward almost a century, and the Mission is still serving the Muncie community.

The organization is often asked why the event isn't hosted in May. Vice President of Community Engagement Leigh Edwards said the walk is intentionally scheduled for every February.

"We want everyone in our community to take a minute and think about who we walk for. Those [who] maybe don't have shelter tonight, or don't have a roof over their head. That is why we walk in February," she said.

Edwards went on to praise long-time participant and volunteer Mary Ippel, explaining, "If we had a queen, she would be our queen."

When asked about the annual event, Ippel said, "It's not just caring for the soul, but caring for your body and the physical aspects of people in need."

As a double amputee, Ippel experiences phantom pains. According to the Cleveland Clinic, phantom pain is when you feel pain in a missing body part after amputation or limb loss.

"Each step is painful," Ippel said, but her husband is there to hold her hand. While she said she can walk the event on her own, she said it's easier when she is holding his hand.

Ippel views herself as a servant to the cause, as she loves serving and working. She has been volunteering with the Muncie Mission every Monday for the last 16 years, practicing intentional thankfulness every day.

Mary raised just under $30,000 this year alone.

The Muncie Mission set its fundraising goal at $175,000 this year. It achieved far beyond its goal, raising just over $185,000 for the organization to provide resources such as medical care, free meals and more to those who need it.

Contact Kyle Ingermann with comments via email at kyle.ingermann@bsu.edu.

But from that point in the game to the final buzzer, the Cardinals could not get over the hump, as they fell to Miami (OH) 68-64.

"I felt like the whole game it was hard to get a bucket," Head Coach Brady Sallee said. "You've got to credit Miami; they didn't give us much space to play in."

Sallee said there were a couple times that Miami (OH) made toughness plays and Ball State did not. The head coach said that is what games like this come down to.

The game was a more competitive and physical matchup than the two team's first game, a game that saw the RedHawks take home a 20-point victory. Sallee said he saw improvements in the game, mostly with the team's defense and rebounding.

The head coach said the team needs to take "a couple of those building blocks" moving forward.

"Hopefully we see them [Miami (OH)] again when it really matters," Sallee said.

Ball State recorded 22 turnovers in the game, which Sallee said proved to be a difference maker. The head coach said the team cannot turn the ball over that much and expect to beat a team like Miami (OH).

"In a game where every single possession matters and you're working your tail off to try to score, and you give it away 22 times, it's hard to win that kind of a game," Sallee said.

All season, the Cardinals have taken advantage of senior center Tessa Towers' ability to draw attention to herself in the post and using that to kick the ball out to open three-point shooters. Although Towers' 22-point performance drew RedHawks defenders in, the Cardinals were not able to take advantage of open threes.

The Cardinals shot 4-18 from behind the arc, while the RedHawks more than doubled the Cardinals' makes, knocking in 12 from three-point land.

"I thought that was a real story of the game when we go back and watch film [and see] the number of times we just got caught watching the ball," Sallee said.

Sallee said the number of times the Cardinals allowed the RedHawks to kick the ball out to wide-open shooters was "head scratching."

With the MAC tournament being just around the corner, this game had obvious weight on it, with Miami (OH) and BallState holding the top two seeds in the conference. Even though the Cardinals were on the wrong side of this one, Sallee believes having a game like this before the tournament starts is important.

Sallee wants to be able to have another opportunity to beat Miami (OH) in a potential matchup in the MAC Championship. But the head coach said there are still a lot of things the team needs to improve on if they want to be able to play in a Saturday championship matchup in the MAC tournament.

"From now until then, we got to take care of business, we can't just count our chickens," Sallee said.

The Cardinals have not lost much this season, and especially as of late. The loss to the RedHawks snapped the team's seven-game win streak that they possessed entering the game. But Sallee is confident in his team's ability to bounce back after losses, even though the team has not had to do it much.

"Our kids have been great in practice [after a loss] and have done some good things that way, so I would expect nothing less," Sallee said.

The loss to the RedHawks have dampened the team's chances at the MAC regular season title and the chance to be the number one seed in the conference tournament. The Cardinals now will need help from other teams to win the regular season title.

Next up, Ball State will host Akron Feb. 25 at Worthen Arena.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Co-director Payten Romig attributed the play to being reminiscent of "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent." The action-packed dystopian play forces the audience to take a trip down memory lane while facing their own pasts.

"I think there is something really interesting in looking at the cultural context around us and why we really long for these kinds of dystopian tales," Romig said.

While reminiscing brings value to the plot, the friendships make it even more nostalgic. This complicates the dynamics within the five-person cast, warning those watching how painful words can be.

"It's about girlhood, power, and I mean the best way I can describe it is like a post-apocalyptic 'Mean Girls,'" student actor Will Swigart said.

With the rise of looking back at the year 2016, people today find themselves lost in the past. The romanization of a decade ago has created a longing that plays out in "Veal." Using power dynamics, brutality and friendships, it depicts the open wound that the past can feel like.

"I think it's a really good reminder of how self-reflection is important, but also the importance of making sure we're not getting lost in the rose-colored glasses of it all," Romig said.

To find out more information, check the Department of Theatre and Dance's Instagram page, @ballstatetheatredance.

Contact Arlene Thompson with comments at arlene.thompson@bsu.edu.

Bernisa Elliott, founder of Be's Beauty, said she opened the business in 2006 when Muncie had only one other beauty supply store in the area. The store's first location was near downtown Muncie, but after outgrowing the space, the shop relocated to McGalliard Road in 2013.

By 2024, just over a decade later, customer service and outreach had expanded to additional minority groups beyond just the Black community, and the business is now located on MLK. Jr. Boulevard to help serve those groups, as well.

Elliott described how the business's relocation benefited the company's evolution, especially since she was inspired to open Be's Beauty because Muncie had only one beauty supply store while she was growing up as a Black woman.

However, before becoming a business owner, Elliott worked for General Motors. It was only after wanting to follow in her parents' and brother's footsteps that she decided to open her own beauty supply store.

"[My parents] actually own businesses. My dad owned [Pitts Barbecue], and my mom owned [Fancy Fashions], so that was more of my inspiration. Also, just because of the way customers, especially minorities, were treated not just in the beauty supply store but nationally," Elliott said.

A June 2023 study from the Pew Research Center found that support for the Black Lives Matter movement has continually dropped since its peak across the United States in 2020, resulting in no substantial social change for Black Americans.

After officially opening Be's Beauty to the public in 2006 to serve minority communities in Muncie, Elliott said customers were welcoming, but challenges arose because the community was not initially familiar with the business.

"[Muncie community members were] so programmed to go to the other [minority hair care] supply store because that was the only one in the area," she said.

In addition to those concerns, Elliott said that being denied the ability to carry certain products and having less stock at first were challenges upon opening.

However, as Be's Beauty continued to expand its product inventory and stock over the years, it eventually became Muncie's only cosmetic supply store, and its clientele grew. Elliott said word of mouth was instrumental in marketing the business to the community and in building the brand.

"We have expanded our color selection, offering more variety, even including more products for men, and we do have a barber shop and salon next door … We've shifted with the market and what people are asking for," Elliott said.

However, after the final relocation to MLK. Jr. Boulevard in just one weekend, Elliott said she was relieved the shop did not have to temporarily close and that customers remained loyal to the business. The purchase of a new, personal commercial space, Elliott said, is the business's biggest accomplishment.

"Our customers have been very appreciative of the change and very thankful that [Be's Beauty] chose to remain close to the community."

Jasmine Smith and DeKayla Elliott, both employees at Be's Beauty, agreed that their favorite parts about working at the shop are helping customers and seeing familiar faces from the community and Ball State's campus.

Because Be's Beauty is now the only beauty supply store in Muncie, Elliott said much of their business comes not only from Black communities but also from Asian and Latino communities. She said that it is a great way to connect with all the minorities who come into the shop.

Erin Ashley, who is of African American descent and a local Muncie community member, shared why she continues to shop at Be's Beauty.

"It's just convenient for me because I live down the street, [the store] has everything I need in here, and it's very welcoming," Ashley said.

Although Elliott said she plans to eventually retire, she intends to keep the business open to serve the Muncie community and stay current with cosmetic trends. Some of the shop's most popular current products are its braiding formulas and gels, as well as wigs and extensions.

Elliott explained why she believes it is important for women of color to have a safe space for specific hair care and cosmetic products.

"… In the Black community, your barbers and stylists kind of become your therapist because you go and sit in their chair, and they do more than just your hair. You're sharing with them about life, and [Be's Beauty] has that exact same vibe," Elliott said.

After two decades of providing hair and makeup products and services to the minorities of the Muncie community, Elliott said her favorite part of being a business owner is the flexibility and freedom that she has.

In addition to being an entrepreneur in the Muncie community, Elliott also navigates motherhood with two children, noting that the opportunities and freedom to support them throughout their lives are deeply appreciated.

"Our family slogan is 'blessed to be a blessing.' Elliot said. "That's just how I feel, that God has literally blessed [my family], not just to hold onto it for ourselves and my kids, but also to be a blessing to others."

Elliot's faith is integral to her livelihood and is something she always wants to incorporate into her future business ventures.

"[Be's Beauty] is a warm, inviting, Christian environment, and I am just thankful that God has blessed me to be able to set that tone within the community," she said.

Contact Gracie Parkhurst via email at gracie.parkhurst@bsu.edu.

Ball State (8-19, 3-11) continued that trend with another loss, as they fell to Akron (22-5, 13-1) 78-65.

Things started in a positive way for the Cardinals early. Sophomore guard Davion Hill and senior guard Juwan Maxey both said they have seen flashes of how good this team can be after a loss to Buffalo Feb. 11, and one of those flashes the players talked about was shown in the first half against Akron.

Ball State had eight first half threes and only trailed by four points at halftime. The Cardinals then only trailed the Zips by six points with 13:40 to go in the second half, but Akron responded in a big way.

Akron went on a 15-1 run, spoiling any chance of a Ball State upset.

Senior guard Devon Barnes said the biggest difference between the two halves was turnovers. Barnes said Akron is a team that can win the MAC and make noise in March Madness, and he said the 14 turnovers really hurt the Cardinals.

"It's giving them easy points," Barnes said. "You can't give good teams easy points, especially when they're rolling like they're rolling right now."

Head Coach Michael Lewis said that turnovers were the biggest difference maker in the game.

"Our turnovers tonight really, really hurt us," Lewis said. "We turned the ball over really unforced."

Senior forward Amani Lyles and senior guard Tavari Johnson both lit it up for Akron, as the two combined for 51 points.

Lewis said the two are "fantastic" players, and that the Cardinals had no answers for them.

"We just didn't have an answer for them," Lewis said. "[They are] just really good players making good plays."

The Cardinals had a hard time down low in the game, as they lost the points in the paint battle 38-20. The only success the team could find scoring was from three, as they hit 13 of them and shot 46 percent from behind the arc.

This loss marked Ball State's fourth straight loss and sixth straight loss in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). But despite the Cardinals' recent struggles, it has not caused the team to lose belief in themselves or each other.

Hill said the team has "too much love for each other" to just give up.

"[We are] just trying to put our best foot forward, we got nothing to lose now," Hill said.

Barnes is in his senior season, and the future is unknown for him after this season concludes. But the guard said that he loves every single one of his teammates, and that in itself keeps him going.

"Just seeing each other, lifting each other up, just doing the simple things [and] keeping that brotherhood, that's what keeps us going," Barnes said.

With only four games remaining, the hopes of making the MAC tournament for Ball State look bleak. The Cardinals would have to win their last four remaining games and would need a lot of help.

Next up, Ball State hosts the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Feb. 24 at Worthen Arena.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Today: The storm system that brought yesterday's weather will continue to move out of the area pulling in cold air accompanied by strong winds. Expect winds about 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph to continue in the morning but slowly fade over the afternoon. Also, look for the sky to clear going into later hours. The high today should not pass 40 degrees.

Tonight: Winds will continue to blow into the night around 15 mph. Temperatures will dip into the twenties and could get as low as 25 degrees. If going out for this Friday evening, make sure to wear a warm coat and bring those gloves and a hat.

Tomorrow: Saturday will see the sun be shrouded until the late afternoon. Clouds and cold will dominate the morning hours. Winds will continue to blow rather steadily at about 15 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: The spring season will continue to battle the winter this coming week. Winter weather including snow, wind, and cold will dominate this weekend while the spring takes its turn again later in the week. Look for some snow showers on Sunday with accumulations around a half to one inch. Later in the week, another low pressure system will began to suck warmer temperatures into the region with rain possible.

- Weather Forecaster Edward Hill

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program please click HERE

Although you can never say never in the Indiana legislative process, a number of bills died Thursday after not being heard by a key committee deadline.

If language has passed either the Senate or House it could still show up in the last-minute legislative compromise known as a conference committee report, but can be a tough sell if a chamber has already nixed it.

Among those that failed to move forward isSenate Bill 21, naming the breaded tenderloin as Indiana's state sandwich. Itpassed the Senate in January, right as its author resigned to take a new post. The House Committee on Governmental and Regulatory Reform never heard the bill.

Among weightier topics, the House also decided not to hear two conservative bills that drew Democratic opposition in the Senate. One was related to gender and the other would have strengthened restrictions on abortion drugs.

Senate Bill 182passed the Senate37-8, but the House Public Health Committee didn't schedule a hearing. It would have defined male and female consistently throughout Indiana code, required prisoners be housed according to biological sex, ensured biological sex is reflected on birth certificates and required school bathroom usage by biological sex.

Senate Bill 236would havetargeted abortion pillsused in the state by allowing Hoosiers to sue their neighbors.

"These common sense bills are backed by an overwhelming number of Hoosiers who believe in the dignity of human life and recognize there are only two sexes: male and female," said Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. "Now is not the time for House Leadership to abandon their principles and the social conservatives who elected them to office."

She authored the gender bill and was a co-author on the abortion legislation.

A bill that would have eased the siting of utility, data center and other projects - sometimes against local officials' wishes - did not receive a hearing after intense pushback earlier this month.

Sen. Eric Koch, the Senate sponsor ofHouse Bill 1333, said the so-called "permitted use language in House Bill 1333 will not be moving forward" in a Feb. 5 statement.

The bill did have other provisions, including one that would have required data center owners pay a portion of their utility sales tax savings to local communities. Koch chaired the Senate Utilities Committee and did not hear the bill.

Another bill would have had Indianajoin a growing number of statesscrutinizing ultra-processed foods in schools.

House Bill 1137, authored by Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, restricted certain additives in student meals and snacks, and would have applied to any public school that participates in a federally funded or assisted meal program. But the Senate Education Committee didn't take it up.

Another bill that died Thursday was dealt with the collection of medical debt from Hoosier patients.

Senate Bill 85split the Republican caucuson its passage out of that chamber. It would have promoted charity care and payment plans for Hoosier health care patients - plus, protected their paychecks and homes from debt collectors. The House Public Health Committee passed on considering the bill.

"I looked over, and I was like, 'Mom, that's what I'm gonna do,'" Kelly, now a senior swimmer at Ball State, said.

She tried a slew of different sports growing up, but from that moment on, she said she knew that swimming was for her.

"We got back to my hometown and we [found] the community pool and the swim club that's there and started lessons right away," Kelly said. "I just haven't stopped."

She joined the North Calgary swim club, for which she swam for nine years in her middle school and high school years, and began competing in local meets. Her mother, Laurie Kelly, said that during her first meet, Payton was nervous to even get off the block.

But Laurie knew Payton wanted to be in the water "all the time." Although Laurie said that Payton's first meet did not go very well, she said she was proud that Payton was getting out of her comfort zone and trying something new.

"Swimming never came easy for Payton; it was always hard," Laurie said. "She just worked and worked and worked at it."

Payton said she had many rough years growing up because she was not very good at swimming at a young age. But what she did have was love for the sport. Her love for the water and her desire to keep progressing and getting better at the sport are what made her fall in love with the process.

What always made Payton push through any mental struggles she faced in swimming was how she felt being in the water. The senior described it as "serenity" being in the water with herself and being able to tune out the outside world.

"No one can bother me there," Payton said. "Any problems that I had, I could put on pause and just really let myself be in the water."

Laurie saw the unexplainable love Payton had for the sport, even when she was struggling. She said Payton always asked her why she would never have let her quit, and her answer was always meant to reassure Payton of her love for the sport.

Laurie said Payton was always the one to get up at four in the morning to make her or her husband coffee before practices. To Laurie, it was always about helping Payton reach her goals, and all Payton had to do was love it.

"Watching her grow and thrive and just become successful at it, just makes my heart burst," Laurie said.

Even though Laurie had no swimming background, Payton credits her mother with being one of her biggest supporters.

"My Mom's always had my back, and she's always really taught me how to be a strong kind of woman and hold my own," Payton said. "I think it's really brought me [to] a lot of places."

Once Payton found her flow in club swimming, her coach soon realized her potential. Despite her initial struggles in the sport, Payton started breaking barriers and getting the times she always knew she could.

While competing in high school in Canada, Payton got multiple opportunities to compete on the biggest stages. In 2019, she was given the opportunity to compete in the Canadian Junior Nationals.

She not only competed in them, but she also won a gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay.

Payton said the experience was "surreal" and that she still remembers her walkout song: "Temperature" by Sean Paul.

"I still get body shivers [thinking about it]," Payton said.

Payton said her first opportunity at the Junior Nationals showed her a lot about herself as a swimmer. She said it showed her that it could not be all about her, giving her a glimpse of what the team environment looked like in college.

She said her club coach at the time told her she had an opportunity to swim at the collegiate level, and Payton jumped at that. She started signing up for various recruiting websites, and once 30 Division I schools reached out, she knew what her next four years would look like.

However, one school in particular really stood out. Payton was set on swimming for a Big Ten school like Indiana, but once she saw how much Ball State Head Coach J. Agnew sought her out through the process, she knew Ball State was for her.

"J. really saw me through the whole process, and I came out a lot better on the other side of recruiting," Payton said. "[It] took someone having some faith in me and trusting what I wanted to do."

Agnew said recruiting international players can feel like "fishing" at first. But after the head coach got to know Payton beyond her title as a student-athlete, he was all in on her.

"She struck me as somebody who had a passion for the sport [and she] loved what she was doing," Agnew said.

Payton said the first time she received a call from Agnew, her initial reaction was, "Yeah, I'm not gonna go there, but whatever, I'll call him."

But she noticed something different about Agnew: every other recruiting call she had lasted 15 minutes max, but she and Agnew spoke for around 45 minutes.

The two talked about her training during COVID-19, her passions and what drove her as a swimmer, among other things that showed Payton how much Agnew cared about her as a person.

"He really just cared about me as a person and not just a number on [Ball State's] spreadsheet, and I think [that] really set them apart [from other schools]," Payton said.

Agnew has not just been a coach for Payton, but also one of her biggest supporters, as he's been with Payton every step of the way. The head coach not only coached her at Ball State but has also been by her side at Payton's Olympic trial runs.

"When she got to go to Olympic trials, and J. came to watch and be her coach on the deck, I think that was a full-circle moment for me," Laurie said. "J. believed in her."

Moving to an entirely new country can be a culture shock for anyone, but Laurie recalled the exact moment that she saw Payton realize that Ball State was where she wanted to be.

"When we went on her recruiting trip, we turned the corner onto Ball State, and I looked over, and she's crying," Laurie said. "She was like, 'Mom, I'm home.'"

Despite feeling a brief sense of comfort in finding her new home in Muncie, Payton said she still struggled her freshman year. She said she dealt with sports anxiety as she tried to fit in.

She said she remembers every panic moment, every feeling of homesickness and every time she threw up before meets out of anxiety. Still, even as she dealt with those initial struggles, she began to perform at a high level.

In her freshman year, she was awarded second team All-MAC and broke three program records. After that, she kept climbing up the rankings at Ball State. Fast forward to her senior season, and she now holds nine separate program records.

Laurie said on her initial visit to Ball State, Payton stood on the pool deck looking at all the program records up on the wall. All Payton said was, "I'm coming for you."

Payton described her freshman self and senior self as two completely different people. In her senior season, Payton is a captain for this year's Ball State team, and she said she feels lucky to be in that position.

The role Payton wants to play for the team as a captain is something beyond performing well in the water. She wants to be there for her teammates, and create a culture that is built on each other.

Payton said she hopes her teammates know that she would be the first person to give them a shirt off her back.

"I always try to lead by example; there's nothing that I would tell the girls to do that I wouldn't be the first one to do," Payton said.

Agnew has seen firsthand the effect Payton has had on the team as a captain. The head coach said that what the swimmers do is hard, and as the years go on, he said swimmers can sometimes lose passion and enthusiasm.

But it has been the complete opposite with Payton, who Agnew said has the exact same excitement as her freshman self.

"To watch her come as a senior [and] just be like that freshman [who's] wide-eyed, wants to see how fast they can go, [and] wants to bring her teammates along with her," Agnew said. "That's what you want in a captain."

The Cardinals hosted a meet against Indiana State Jan. 30 for their last home meet of the season. For Payton, it was her last home meet as a Cardinal, and emotions were high.

"I got out [of the pool], and I was crying that it was over," Payton said. "I don't want [it] to end."

Payton will have one more guaranteed tournament in her career at Ball State. The Cardinals will compete in the MAC championships Feb. 25-28. It provides one last opportunity for Payton to finish her career at Ball State on a high note.

"I want to put the final pages in the book before closing it," Payton said. "But even if it doesn't happen, I'm really happy with everything."

Payton said that if she could go back in time and talk to her freshman year self, she would give her a hug. Payton has grown tremendously in her four years at Ball State, and the senior has left a remarkable impact on the program.

"I want the legacy to be that I still care for my team and I was a really big part of the team and that I led us in a direction that we want to go," Payton said. "And that they can build off of the culture we built this season."

Agnew said it has been exciting to see Payton grow from her freshman to her senior year, and he credits a legacy left to her.

"[It's] just a great tribute to a captain, to a leader," Agnew said.

Looking forward to her career past Ball State, Payton said she wants to still compete and give swimming her all. She said she wants to keep moving up in the rankings in Canada and eventually compete in the 2028 Olympic Trials.

Payton also said she is hopefully looking to graduate school after she graduates at Ball State. The star swimmer is nowhere near done and is only looking forward to her swimming career.

"There's no stopping me yet," Payton said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.