Short Course World Champs, Day One: US Women Set American Record in 800 Free Relay -- October 7, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, October 7. THE USA finished off a perfect evening of swimming -- winning every final contested -- by setting a national record of 7:47.72 in taking the women's 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

Australia led through the first 400 meters behind the efforts of Lisbeth Lenton (1:56.43) and Danni Miatke (1:57.84), with the USA's Dana Vollmer (1:57.83) and Rachel Komisarz (1:57.87) keeping the hosts close. But hometown hero Lindsay Benko put the race on ice when she turned a second-and-a-half deficit into a three-plus second advantage with her 1:55.44 split.

Kaitlin Sandeno brought it home for the Red, White and Blue in 1:56.58, as she touched in 7:47.72 just off the global standard of 7:46.30 set by China two years ago. It was Sandeno's third gold medal swim of he evening.

Australia followed in 7:51.39 with Sweden, sparked by Josefin Lillhage's 1:55.43 -- the fastest split of the event -- third in 7:54.39.

--P. Whitten