Sandeno Goes Great Lengths to Win

Kaitlin Sandeno was again spectacular in the pool Sunday on the closing day of the Swim Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo.

Sandeno dominated the 1,500-meter freestyle in 16 minutes 38.25 seconds at the Margeurite Swim Complex.

Keeping an average split time of 1:06 during the 30-lap race, Sandeno was like a windup toy that never runs down. She finished almost 17 seconds ahead of second-place Alexis Binder of the Trojan Swim Club.

Sandeno, 16, came into the meet with a world-class distance reputation, but it was her breaststroke and butterfly that took competitors, coaches, spectators and even herself by surprise.

She also had victories in the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley Saturday, the 800 freestyle Friday and the 400 freestyle Thursday.

“It was a little shocking, I guess. I am surprised at how well I did in my other events,” said Sandeno.

Sandeno, who trains with the Nellie Gail Swim Club in Lake Forest, almost won the 200 individual medley, but was out-touched by Olympian Kristine Quance-Julian (2:18.36).

Sandeno was selected as the female swimmer of the meet. She will next compete at the Janet Evans Invitational at USC starting on July 16.

U.S. National team member Staciana Stitts of the Irvine Novaquatics, won the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.21, her best long-course time this season.

Stanford’s Misty Hyman, who’s swimming for Desert Fox during the summer, won the 100 backstroke (1:03.61) and the 100 butterfly (59.85).

The Novaquatics women’s 400 medley relay team set a meet record as Kyoko Yokouchi, Stitts, Ashley Tappin and Carly Geehr, swam a 4:19.43 for the win. The Trojan Swim club finished second, 11 seconds behind.

Chad Carvin of the Mission Viejo Nadadores was named the male swimmer of the meet for a second consecutive year. Carvin won his last event Sunday afternoon, swimming a 15:39.52 in the 1,500 freestyle.

Daniel Kim of the Novaquatics, who was The Times Orange County boys’ Swimmer of the Year, won the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.59.

Kim, who admitted his short-course [yards] race is better than his long-course [meters] swimming, was still happy with his time, and is looking to establish senior national qualifying times at the Janet Evans Invitational.

“Getting [John Moffet’s] record at CIF was great, but high school swimming is over now,” Kim said. “I’m going to Cal in the fall, so I have to focus on that now.” Trojan Brad Bridgewater won the 100 backstroke in 56.70, Torwai Sethsothorn captured the 200 IM (2:06.50) and Kevin Northrup won the 100 butterfly (55.62).