The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame joins with Drury University in mourning the sudden passing of Ariel Wen Xu, one of the college’s standout swimmers. She was 22.
According to the university, Xu passed away after a practice on Thursday. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame recognized Xu on Sunday night during the Enshrinement in Springfield presented by Killian Construction. An international student from China, Xu received a Special Achievement Award from the Hall of Fame for winning an NCAA Division II national championship in 2016. She captured the 50 freestyle in 22.38 seconds – after she broke the national record in the preliminary heat in 22.36 seconds.
The Drury University Swimming and Diving Program has long been led by coach Brian Reynolds, a 2007 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
