By: Kyle Tooley ~Sports Editor~

Xavier swimming was back in action over the weekend, as the defending Big East champions saw the women go 2-1 and the men go 0-2 at the Big 12 vs. Big East Weekend in Morgantown, W. Va.

The women were led by freshman Emily Conners, who took home first place in both the 100 and 50 freestyle. Conners also helped her team in the 200 free relay, as she, freshman Abby Garner, sophomore Caroline Gaertner and junior Paxtyn Drew captured the top spot.

For her performance in the meet, Conners took home the Big East’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week, the first of her career. CollegeSwimming.com also named her its conference Swimmer of the Week.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with Emily thus far,” head swim coach Brent MacDonald said. “We knew she was going to be an incredible boost to our sprint program. Although we knew how talented she was, her success early is completely attributed to the work she’s put in in the pool and weight room.”

The men saw their strongest performance come from senior Rodrigo Suriano, who took second in both the 100 and 50 free. Suriano was also a key piece of the 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 800 medley relay teams that each finished third.

The women improved to 7-1 on the year with the men falling to 2-4.

Both the men and the women will return to the pool this weekend, traveling to Louisville on Oct. 21 right before heading up to Miami University on Oct. 22.