Sandeno Breaks Benko Record In 800m Free

Sunday, January 18

Auburn, Ala.

11:00 AM

USC

116

222

Auburn

Sandeno Breaks Benko Record In 800m Free

January 18, 2004 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Junior Kaitlin Sandeno and sophomore Ous Mellouli each won the 800m free events to highlight the Trojans' efforts in their dual-meet losses at top-ranked Auburn on Sunday.

The Tiger men defeated USC, 204-138, in the two-day meet that started on Saturday while the women beat Troy, 222-116.

Sandeno swam an 8:43.66, just off freshman Kalyn Keller's school mark of 8:43.42 set earlier this year at the Texas Invitational. USC freshman Keller was second in the race in 8:46.16. Mellouli touched first in the men's 800m free race in 8:27.19 while sophomore Tyler Storie was second in 8:30.16.

Sandeno later posted a second-place finish in the 400m IM (4:49.49) while Mellouli also took a second in the 200m free (1:54.61). Freshman Gergely Meszaros landed USC's other second-place mark, a 56.41 in the 100m fly.

Senior Nicci Fusaro was third in a tightly contested 3-meter springboard, posting a 263.54, less than seven points out of first. Freshman Michael Hilde was also third on the 1-meter. Seniors Trent Staley (58.87 in the 100m back) and Jana Krohn (1:02.41 in the 100m fly) each posted a pair of fourths.

USC's women are next in action on Jan. 30 against Cal and Jan. 31 against Stanford while the men face Cal on Feb. 6 and Stanford on Feb. 7. USC hosts all four meets.