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Vendt, Sandeno Win Three Races Each To Kick Off Swimming, Diving Season
Nov. 1, 2002
A hat trick worth of wins from senior Erik Vendt and sophomore Kaitlin Sandeno paced USC's swimming and diving teams in their season-opening efforts as the No. 8 women's team opened a 92-75 lead over No. 7 Texas and the No. 5 men's team trailed top-ranked Texas, 103-63, after the first day of a two-day dual meet at Texas on Friday (Nov. 1) at the Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center in Austin, Texas. Texas A&M's men's team and Stanford's women's team are also racing in the meet, but are not scoring against USC. Vendt posted wins in the 400y IM (3:48.42), 500y free (4:19.88) and the 200y breast (1:58.92). In the breast, Vendt edged the defending NCAA champion in the event, Brendan Hansen, who was second in 1:58.95. Sandeno, off to a great start to her sophomore campaign after a severe back strain kept her out for most of her freshman year, opened with wins in the 400y IM (4:12.32), the 200y back (1:58.89) and the 500y free (4:49.51). Sophomore diver Blythe Hartley, the defending NCAA champion in the 1-meter and platform, won the 1-meter on Friday with a score of 578.55. Junior teammate Nicci Fusaro was third (481.91). USC's men finished 1-2-3 in the 400y IM with freshman Ous Mellouli (3:52.92) and sophomore Paul Fahey (3:56.23) taking second and third, respectively, behind Vendt. Troy's women did the same in the 500y free with senior co-captain Asa Sandlund (4:49.70) and freshman Margie Pedder (4:50.36) finishing second and third, respectively, behind Sandeno.
Freshman Kammy Miller was second in the 200y breast (2:14.25) while Mellouli complemented his second in the 400y IM with another second in the 500y free (4:20.62).
Senior co-captain Michala Kwasny, the two-time defending Pac-10 champ in the 400y IM, was third in the event (4:17.88) and freshman Joy Galloway was fourth (4:23.63). Junior Jana Krohn was third in the 100y fly (54.61) in a tight race while senior co-captain Jeff Lee also took third in the 100y fly for the men (49.13). Junior Trent Staley finished third in the 200y back in 1:47.83. USC's only men's diver, Ray Vincent, was fifth in the 1-meter. The meet will conclude on Saturday (Nov. 2). It begins at 12 p.m. (CST). |
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