If Xavier's women's swim team seems to have more of a family atmosphere than usual this year, it's because the team includes four pairs of sisters.
How'd that happen?
"I wouldn't say [recruiting siblings] was intentional," says Brent MacDonald, who has been coach of Xavier's men's and women's swimming programs since 2009. "But it certainly has worked out well."
The sisters are Annie and Maureen Cummins of Westerville, Ohio; Paxtyn and Riece Drew of Connersville, Indiana; Caroline and Lorelei Gaertner of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; and Emma and Maggie Kauffeld of Wilton, Connecticut.