Sandeno Adds Inches, Reduces Times

By ERIK HAMILTON

March 16, 1999 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

When Kaitlin Sandeno stepped up on the block last year to start her race in the 500-yard freestyle at the Southern Section Division I finals, there were more than a few double-takes.

Barely 5 feet tall, the El Toro freshman seemed pixieish as she folded into the start position before the sound of the starting gun.

Sandeno, however, was used to stares and the chorus of, “I don’t believe she’s in high school,” and went on to finish second to Marina’s Jamie Cail in the race.

One year later and four inches taller, Sandeno, a sophomore, still doesn’t stand out from the crowd. But when she’s in the water, she proves that size isn’t everything, especially when you’re swimming 500 yards.

“She’s always been small. But don’t let that fool you. She has a endless amount of energy and she never fatigues. She keeps her pace throughout the race and never slows down,” said Renee Riggs, who with her husband, Vic, coaches Sandeno at the Gator Swim Club in Laguna Hills.

Sandeno said she has always had a lot of endurance. When she was younger, she played soccer as was a full-time swimmer.

“I never got tired when I used to do both sports,” Sandeno said. “And the only reason I quit soccer was so I could focus on just one sport. It wasn’t that I was wearing myself out or anything.”

Coming off a summer during which she blossomed into one of the nation’s top distance swimmers, Sandeno, 16, not only provides El Toro with an ace in the 200 and 500 freestyles, but a key component in the Chargers’ relays.

At Summer Nationals in Clovis last August, Sandeno swam to a sixth-place finish in the 800-meter free, which qualified her for U.S. Swimming’s National B Team and the Pan American Games team, which will compete this August in Winnipeg.

Renee Riggs said with Sandeno’s recent growth spurt, coupled with her endurance, there’s no telling how far she can go.

But Sandeno said if there is any benefits from the extra four inches, she hasn’t felt it yet.

“I really feel the same,” Sandeno said. “As far as feeling stronger or changes in my stroke because I’m a little taller, I can’t tell you if it’s been a benefit.”

One place where Sandeno might benefit from her growth spurt is at the U.S. Olympic Training facility in Colorado Springs, Colo.

On a recent trip there, Riggs said one analyst suggested that Sandeno could evolve into a sprinter, which brought a smile to Riggs’ face.

“It’s funny, because she’s the worst when it comes to the sprints,” Renee Riggs said. “When we have races at the end of practice, everybody beats her. And I mean everybody, teammates, little kids,” Riggs said.

Ranked 17th in the world in the 800-meter free, Sandeno has been preparing for the Spring Nationals, which start March 28 in Long Island, N.Y.

“I think I’ll have a good meet. I’m in good shape and I feel good,” she said.

After Nationals, Sandeno said she’ll train with her high school and club teams.

“I like high school swimming,” she said. “It’s a time to take a little break. To have some fun and hang out with friends.”

However, it won’t be all fun and games. Sandeno said she’ll be looking forward to some meets, especially when they involve her friend and rival, Cail.

They are teammates on the National B Team and Pan American Games team.

At Summer Nationals, Sandeno beat Cail in 800-meter free in 8 minutes 41.60 seconds, almost three seconds faster than Cail.

Said Sandeno: “We’re friends, but we’re also competitors. I know she doesn’t like to lose. . . . But I don’t either. This should be a fun season.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Irvine, Talent galore.

2. Laguna Hills, Strong individuals and relay teams.

3. Marina, Jamie Cail anchors Vikings.

4. University, Jessica Hayes can do it all.

5. San Clemente, New talent in the pool.

6. Mission Viejo, Could be the big surprise.

7. Fountain Valley, Will give Marina a fight for league title.