Kaitlin Sandeno was born on March 13, 1983 in Lake Forest, California. She's been swimming for most of her life although she really broke through while she was in high school in 1999. Kaitlin's swimming gave her the opportunity to swim on both the national and international stage and not just for the Nellie Gail Saddleback Valley Gators and El Toro High School Chargers.
In 1999 Kaitlin won her first national championship in the 400 IM. At that same meet, she also finished second in the 800 free and finished third in the 400 free. From the spring nationals, Kaitlin went on to compete at the '99 Pan Pacs where she won the 400 and 800 free. This was only the beginning for Kaitlin. The next year she earned another national championship and earned a spot on the 2000 Olympic Team. She won a bronze medal at the Sydney games for the 800 Free. While she didn't end up on the medals podium for her other races at the Olympics (400 IM and 200 Fly), Kaitlin showed great potential. And all this while she was still attending high school!
Before her graduation from high school in 2001, where Kaitlin held class offices all 4 years, she was named homecoming queen by her peers; something she still considers a great honor. Kaitlin decided to continue her swimming career at the University of Southern California for the Trojan Swim Club. After a stress fracture in her back sidelined her for 6 months, Kaitlin fought to return to her form prior to her injury. At the 2002 Summer Nationals she placed 6th in the 200 Fly and at NCAAs she finished 4th in the 400 IM and 6th in the 200 Fly.
The year 2003 would be a big one for Kaitlin. Completely recovered from her injury and swimming as well as ever, Kaitlin won the Kiphuth Award at 2003 Nationals. Winning national titles in the 200 Fly, 400 IM, and 200 IM helped her achieve that honor. Kaitlin also swam well at the spring nationals and NCAA Championships.
After Kaitlin finished her 3rd year of NCAA competition, she turned pro in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games. But before she finished her NCAA career, she won 2 NCAA Championships and also set an American Record in doing so. Kaitlin ended her college career with an exclamation point!
At the 2004 Olympic Trials, Kaitlin qualified for the Olympic Team in four of the five events she swam at Olympic Trials. (200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 200 Fly and 400 IM). In Athens, Kaitlin won a bronze medla in the 400 Free, a gold in the 4x200 Free Relay, and a silver in the 400 IM.
After the Olympic whirlwind died down, Kaitlin competed at the 2004 Short Course World Championships and was the standout US swimmer at the event winning gold in every event she swam (400 Free, 200 Fly, 400 IM & 800 Free Relay)
Following the Short Course Championships Kaitlin attended the inagural USA Swimming Golden Goggles Awards where she received Comeback Athlete of the Year and Relay Performance of the Year awards.
Kaitlin took time away from the pool towards the end of 2004 and in early 2005. She made various public appearances including those for sponors and swim clinics. She got back into her training regimine in order to compete at several FINA World Cup events in preparation for the 2005 World Championship Trials. At the latter meet, Kaitlin qualified for the 2005 FINA World Championships in the 400IM.
Kaitlin remains focused on her swimming career and has pledged to continue training in order to swim at one more Olympic Games.