Carvin, Sandeno Dominate Field in 800 Meters

There were no surprises on the first day of the Swim Meet of Champions as local favorites Chad Carvin and Kaitlin Sandeno dominated the men’s and women’s 800-meter freestyle Thursday at Marguerite Aquatic Swim Center in Mission Viejo.

Carvin swam a business-as-usual race, winning in 8 minutes 8.65 seconds. Mark Warkentin of Buena Swim Club in Ventura was second in 8:14.69.

Although it was well off his personal best of 7:57, Carvin was excited by his performance.

“I had a good workout this morning and I’m not shaved or tapered for this meet, so yeah, I’m happy with my swim,” said Carvin, who trains with the Mission Viejo Nadadores.

Carvin said he will follow this meet with one in Santa Clara and then the Janet Evans Invitational at USC, before the most important meet of the summer, the U.S. Summer Nationals in Minneapolis.

“This is all leading up to the nationals,” Carvin said. “That’s when it counts.”

El Toro High sophomore Sandeno, who trains with Nellie Gail Swim Club and is ranked second in the world in the 800, also performed in her usual fashion, winning the event in 8:44.12. Sweden’s Asa Sandlund, who trains with the Nadadores, was second in 8:52.62.

The meet continues today with the 100- and 400-meter freestyles, the 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke and the 400 freestyle relay. Preliminaries begin at 9 a.m., and finals are at 5 p.m.