USA Swimming has announced its top times for 2001-2002 and its no surprise that Carson's Lauren Costella has many of the best finishes for her age group.
In the 17-18 age group, Costella, a Carson High senior who also swims for the Carson Tigersharks, has the No. 1 time in the 1,500 meter freestyle at 16 minutes, 29.16 seconds. Costella posted that time in winning her second straight national title last summer at the U.S. National Championships in Ft. Laurderdale, Fla.
Costella is also ranked No. 1 in the 1,000 free in 9:48.53. She is ranked No. 4 in the 1,650 free in 16:33.38. Costella, though, recently posted a time of 16:12 in that event in a meet at the Belmont Pool in Long Beach.
She ranked fifth in the 400 individual medley (4:52.48), fifth in the 800 free (8:43.73) and 15th in the 400 free (4:20.33).
Costella has signed with Stanford and has been chosen to represent the U.S. this summer at the World University Games in South Korea.