Hayden, Veatch Earn Big Ten Medal of Honor

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kristen Hayden (Women's Diving) and Ben Veatch (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field) have earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor. The award is given to a person who strives for excellence in both athletics and academics.

Hayden joined Indiana during the 2021-22 season and went on to win silver on the 3-meter springboard at the NCAA championships where she qualified for All-America honors in all three diving events. In March, Hayden also won silver on the 1-meter board and sixth in platform diving at the conference meet, where she was awarded second team All-Big Ten. During the regular season, Hayden was named Big Ten Diver of the Week twice and in February she scored 399.38 on the 3M to break the program's dual meet record.

In December, Hayden became USA Diving's first black female national champion when she won the mixed synchro 3-meter dive with IU teammate Quinn Henninger at winter nationals. Hayden also serves on USA Diving's Diversity Equality and Inclusion Council. A liberal studies major, Hayden has earned a 4.00 GPA while at IU.

"I am so happy for Kristen," head diving coach Drew Johansen said. "She exemplifies everything the Big Ten Medal of Honor is about. We are so proud to have her on our team."

Ben Veatch is a seven time All-American and 15 time All-Big Ten honoree. He holds school records in the indoor 3000m and 5000m. In the indoor record book, Veatch has one top-10 marks while holding another three outdoors. Veatch has claimed Big Ten Championships in the 3000m, 5000m, and 10000m. In the classroom Veatch has earned All-Big Ten and Distinguished scholar accolades every year he has been at IU.

"Ben embodies what we want to see in a quality athlete, student and Big Ten competitor." Head Coach Ron Helmer said. "He maintains a nearly perfect academic record in his pre-med studies, he is a first team All-American but it is in Big Ten competition that he shines. He has had his performance best in the Big Ten championship arena where he leads our team, on and off the track. He has five individual championships over the years and a remarkable 112 career Big Ten points. He could not be more deserving of this honor."

The Big Ten, the nation's oldest collegiate conference, commemorates the 108^th anniversary of a very unique tradition - the Big Ten Medal of Honor. The conference's most exclusive award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work." Big Ten schools currently feature almost 9,500 student-athletes, but only 28 earn this prestigious award on an annual basis. In the 108 years of the Medal of Honor, over 1,400 student-athletes have earned this distinction.

Players Mentioned

Kristen Hayden

Ben Veatch

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