Santa Margarita High School Swimmer Makes Good At Tokyo Olympics

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Former Santa Margarita Catholic High School swimmer Katie McLaughlin manned the third leg of the U.S women's 4x200-meter freestyle to help bring home the silver medal for the relay team Wednesday, California time.

The U.S. was third in field of eight after Allison Schmitt swam the first leg in one minute, 56.34 seconds and Paige Madden the second in 1:55.25.

McLaughlin swam her leg in 1:55.38, keeping the U.S. in third behind China and Australia. Katie Ledecky swam the final leg in 1:53.76, the fastest leg in the race, to pass Australia and give the U.S. the second-place finish in 7:40.73, to set an American record.

China won in 7:40.33, breaking the world record of 7:41:50 set by an Australian team in 2019.

"It was like a dream," McLaughlin told NBC. ``Before we walked out, I had said to Katie, this is like a dream walking out on a finals relay for the U.S. I'm biased that the 800 free is the best one. I can't even explain."

McLaughlin turned 24 July 9 and made her Olympic debut earlier Wednesday, California time, swimming the third leg as the U.S. won its heat.

The 4x200-meter freestyle relay is the only event McLaughlin will compete in at the Tokyo Games.

McLaughlin graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2015 after winning seven individual Southern Section championships and swimming on seven Southern Section champion relay teams.

She swam for the University of California, Berkeley from 2016-19, setting school records in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly.

McLaughlin's High School swimming coach, Ron Blanc of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, spoke on her accomplishment.

"The team went for gold against the tough and favored Australian team," Blanc said. "The entire Santa Margarita Eagle community is incredibly proud of Katie.”