Sandeno Wins Race, Caverly Wins Title

It was the talk of the South Coast League swimming finals Friday at El Toro High. Kaitlin Sandeno vs. Kristen Caverly in the 200-yard individual medley.

Sandeno of El Toro won an Olympic bronze medal. San Clemente’s Caverly held the fastest time in the county in the individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

The race lived up to the hype.

Despite slipping off the starting block, Sandeno broke her Southern Section Division I record, by 0.03 seconds, out-touching Caverly to win in 2 minutes 0.16 seconds. Caverly finished in 2:00.81.

Sandeno held the lead until the breaststroke leg when Caverly pulled ahead by one-half length. The two swimmers touched the wall together on the final turn, but Sandeno pulled ahead in the final five yards.

Sandeno also set a meet record in the 500 freestyle, winning in 4:48.32, the best time in the county.

However, Sandeno’s record-breaking performances weren’t enough to topple San Clemente, as the Tritons won the team title with 484 points. El Toro was second (385.50) and Capistrano Valley finished third (337.50).

Caverly also set meet records in the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.62 and as part of the winning 200 medley relay (1:49.91). Teammate Sarah Jones broke her own meet record in the 50 freestyle (23.50).

In the boys’ meet, Mission Viejo won with 418 points, but Capistrano Valley, which finished 5-0 in league dual meets, took second (351) and still won the league championship.

Alejandro Jacobo led the Diablos with a victory in the 100 breaststroke in a county-best 59.68. He also anchored the winning 400 freestyle relay in 3:15.92.

San Clemente sophomore Kenny Yamamoto was a double winner, in the 200 individual medley (1:56.97) and the 100 backstroke (53.94).