Sandeno to Swim for USC

Kaitlin Sandeno, a bronze medalist at last summer’s Olympic games, has signed to swim at USC next fall.

Sandeno, a senior at El Toro High, chose USC over Arizona and Georgia, the three-time defending NCAA Division I champion.

“It was just a gut feeling,” said Sandeno, a six-time national champion. “They are all great schools, but there was just something about USC. It felt right for me.”

Sandeno said Trojan Coach Mark Schubert influenced her decision. Schubert, who recently guided the USC women to the U.S. Spring National team title, also coached Vic Riggs, Sandeno’s current coach at the Nellie Gail Saddleback Valley club.

“They are both on the same page,” Sandeno said. “So it won’t be a big difference in coaching for me. [Schubert] knows where I’m at and he is going to make me faster and help get me ready for the next Olympics.”

Sandeno, who is expected to break several national high school records this season, is coming off an impressive performance at the recent U.S. Spring Nationals. She won the 400-meter individual medley and 200 butterfly and placed second in the 400 and 800 freestyles, qualifying for all four races at the World Championships in Japan in July.

She is one of only six U.S. women who have accomplished that feat, along with Janet Evans, Sippy Woodhead, Tracy Caulkins, Shirley Babashoff and Kristine Quance. All but Caulkins are Trojan alumni coached by Schubert.

Sandeno won her medal at the Sydney Olympics in the 800 freestyle. She also finished fourth in the 400 individual medley and fifth in the 200 butterfly.