LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kaitlin Sandeno and Ryk Neethling of South Africa repeated as 800-meter freestyle champions at the Janet Evans Invitational swimming meet Thursday.

  Sandeno, 17, was timed in 8 minutes, 38.66 seconds, with 1996 Olympian Claudia Poll of Costa Rica second in 8:40.70. Kalyn Keller was third in 8:47.39.

  Sandeno, who won the event a year ago in 8:36.21, was happy with her performance after dealing with shoulder tendinitis.

  "My stroke was really good and the time was really great," she said. "It feels great to be back in shape."

  Neethling, who swims for the University of Arizona, was timed in 8:06.46, overtaking Southern Cal sophomore Erik Vendt in the final 100 meters. Vendt finished second in 8:08.09. Neethling set a meet record of 8:01.36 a year ago.

  "I really like to race against Erik. We had a great race at the NCAAs," said Neethling, defeated by Vendt at 1,500 meters at this year's collegiate championship.

  The meet, a major tuneup for the U.S. Olympic trials, continues Friday through Sunday at the McDonald's Swim Stadium, with five events each day.