SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Spotlight: Kaitlin Sandeno

By Sarah Galbavy

WEST ISLIP, New York, October 31. THERE are not many cases in which you would consider a 24-year-old to be a veteran, but when referring to Kaitlin Sandeno – the term fits perfectly. The California native is a two-time Olympian, and this summer will attempt to make it to Beijing for her third trip to the Games.

Sandeno has been swimming since she was a child and has been a force to be reckoned with on Team USA for the past several years. Although it seems that the women's field is getting progressively younger, she is proof that hard work and perseverance are what matters, no matter the age.

The last year has been full of changes for Sandeno. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in history, and has since traded in the sunny shores of California for the colder climate of Michigan. The new environment seems to be working well for her, judging by her performances this summer at the World University Games.

She medaled in three events, taking two golds and a silver. Sandeno bested the field in the 200 IM with a Games Record time of 2:12.13 and then joined teammates Kate Dwelley, Erin Reiley and Lindsey Smith to win the 800 freestyle relay. She also picked up a silver medal in the 400 IM, finishing second to Yana Klochkova with a time of 4:41.57.

With less than a year to go until Olympic Trials in Omaha this summer, most of the top athletes in the sport are starting to buckle down and get their acts together for the next big step in their careers. Sandeno, though, took some time out of her busy training schedule last week to answer a few questions for SwimmingWorldMagazine.com:

How was your summer? Did you get to spend much time back home in California?
Summer was great! I got to go home for a bit after World University Games and had an awesome time with family and friends!

How's the puppy doing? I bet he's huge by now.
He's awesome. He's a great size. He's in Cali because I travel too much to show him the love and attention he needs. So, he's laying out on my dad's grill soaking up the rays. He much prefers sunny California to cold Michigan. I miss him a lot though. He is my cuddle bug.

You had a good meet at the World University Games over the summer. How do you feel about the performances, and do they help you at all in gauging how to train for Olympic trials?
All and all, I was pretty happy with my meet. I actually thought I would have been better but we weren't in the best circumstances over in Bangkok and I think I could have hit my taper better. So, knowing that I could have been better is encouraging. But the whole summer, I thought things were moving in the right direction. As far as training goes, I pretty much do what I am told and then put in the hard work and effort.

Nice. Speaking of Trials, this will be your third time around, right? I'm assuming you've become quite the pro at it all now. Is there anything in particular you do to prepare for that meet, or any advice you would give to first timers?
Yeah, it's crazy that I am going for my third Olympics, I would have never guessed. But, I try to not let the name or title of the meet get in my head. It's just another meet. It's just like nationals. And, it's just like in every taper meet, you want to go best times and get your hand on the wall first.

So, pretty much try not to psych yourself out?
Exactly.

There are so many young girls who are kind of making themselves known at the moment. Are there any up-and-comers that you have seen in the last year or so who you think will make an impression in this year leading up to, and at the Olympics in Beijing?
You know, I know there are some quick girls out there and ones that have been doing great, but I really don't pay attention to other swimmers that much. I feel strongly that you can't control the uncontrollables and how other people swim is uncontrollable. I just worry about me and what I am doing. I find it works best for me.

Is there anything that really sticks out to you about your first Olympic Trials, besides a bit of nervousness?
I actually wasn't nervous at all. I remember my drive over to finals of the 400 IM the first night of the meet. I was going over with my coach, Vic Riggs, and I was so hyper and blasting this CD called the Venga Bus. The song goes "We like to party, we like, we like to party" and I was dancing and singing like I was in the band. I remember my coach thought it was hilarious. Although, I'm pretty sure he was the one who was nervous.

How is the training environment in Michigan? It seems like a lot of Trojans have slowly made their way over there, and it can't be because of the weather.
Yeah, for sure not the weather. This training group is just full of hard trainers with great attitudes. Not only the "pros" but the Michigan men's team. It's a great environment to be in. There is a lot of encouraging between swimmers and tons of people to race so everyone benefits from it.

Okay, so I know it might be a sore spot right now but, how about that USC/Stanford football game? Do you keep up with college football at all?
Oh man, I was so upset! No really, I was very, very upset. They don't show too many USC games over here, so I had to get the bad news via texts. I was not a happy girl. I'm still very sore about it, but all our guys are hurt and that's slowing us down. Hopefully, they can pull it together.

What have you been doing to occupy your time in Ann Arbor when you're not training?
Well, I have picked up more dryland by doing Pilates, which I enjoy. During the day, I always nap! I have to sleep! But I don't know. I do all the girly things: go shopping, of course, get my nails done, get my hair done, and get facials, massages. I like to pamper my body since I work it so hard. I love football season, so I sit on the couch and watch games. I go out with my friends and just relax when I can. Oh, and I've been reading a lot lately too.

Oh yeah? Anything good?
Just books my old roommate sends me after she's done – real girly ones. But I still can't get over how amazing the last Harry Potter book was! I absolutely loved it!!

What are the upcoming meets for you? Are you heading to Short Course Nationals or any of the World Cup stops?
The Grand Prix meets, that and Short Course Nationals. No World Cups. I wish, but we are keeping our traveling pretty low key.

You are focusing more on training?
Yeah, and the fact that traveling overseas takes so much out of you. They just don't make traveling very easy or enjoyable these days. I need a private jet!

There you go. USA Swimming or Nike should look into that for you. Tell them to get on it.
I know, right!

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use