Last year, Lauren Costella swam to a meet record in the 800-meter freestyle at the Hitachi International Junior Championships. The 16-year-old Carson Tigershark was even better on Sunday when she won the 800 freestyle in another meet record time in Portland, Ore.
Costella, a Carson High School sophomore who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials last summer, won her girls 16-and-under race in a time of 8 minutes, 42.92 seconds at the Tualatin Swim Club - nine seconds faster than her previous meet record. Her time also ranks among the world's top 10 for short course meters, according to Tigersharks coach Jack Simon.
The three-day meet was held on a 25-meter course and featured swimmers from China, Italy, Ireland, Japan, France and Canada, as well as the Pacific Northwest.
Costella also placed eighth in the 200 backstroke with a 2:22.8 clocking on Sunday.
Two other members of the Tigersharks, Ryan Hudson and Justin Barber, were entered in the boys 1,500-meter freestyle but were forced to withdraw in order to catch their flight home on time.
Carson Aquatic Club will host the Pacific Seniors Championships starting on Friday.
