Sandeno Leads U.S. To World Championship Relay Win
July 28, 2005 | Women's Swimming & Diving
July 28, 2005
Former USC star Kaitlin Sandeno rose to the ocassion once again on one of swimming's biggest international stages, anchoring America's come-from-behind win in the 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday at the XI FINA World Championships at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal.
Sandeno, along with Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff and Whitney Myers, won gold in 7:53.70, the second fastest time ever in the race, defeating an Australia quartet that clocked 7:54.07, third fastest ever. Sandeno was part of the American squad that set the world record in the race (7:53.42) at the 2004 Olympics.
The U.S. trailed for most of the race and Sandeno entered the pool in second place. But the two-time NCAA champ as a Trojan and two-time Olympic vet with multiple medals already on her resume, didn't blink at the half-second deficit. She swam the final 200 meters in 1:57.57, finishing the comeback that started with almost a two-second disadvantage after the first 200 meters. Sandeno took over the lead with 100 meters left and held on to spark a U.S. celebration. Sandeno will swim the 400m IM on Sunday.
China rallied for the bronze, overcoming Great Britain.
