“The Burning Question”

Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Sandeno

You may not be aware, but your favorite Swim Stars still like to celebrate Halloween. They may not go door-to-door with empty sacks, in search of treats (not tricks), but the spirit of Beggar’s Night is still alive and well.

Most observe the holiday in full costume, with close friends at random gatherings. Kaitlin Sandeno has always enjoyed Halloween, but looked forward to this year’s festivities even more because her best friend Joanna Fargus (Australian National Team Swimmer) was flying in from USC to spend the holiday with her. And following with tradition, Kaitlin picked out a fun costume. “This year I am going to be Goldie Locks! It’s funny because Billy Bush from Access Hollywood called me that during an interview at the Olympics.” Not one to leave anyone out, Kaitlin even made sure the latest addition to her family had a costume. “My new puppy, Jack, is going to be a hot dog with ketchup. It’s hilarious!”

Jessica Hardy, the next swimmer to be added to the Swim Stars family, had similar Halloween plans. “I am going to dress up as a NASCAR Girl this year.” The holiday agenda consists of spending time with her Cal teammates throughout Berkeley.

Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Sandeno

Former roommates Peter Vanderkaay and Davis Tarwater joined in the Halloween tradition and dressed up as Spider-Man and Borat respectively. Those unsure of who Borat is, need only turn on a television. The movie, Borat, is the brainchild of Sacha Baron Cohen and hits theatres this Friday. Davis makes a striking Borat, wouldn’t you agree?

Halloween also conjures memories from one’s youth. Everyone has a moment that stands out. As a child Kaitlin still loved dressing up, but it was not the most enjoyable part of the holiday for her. “My favorite was passing out candy. I liked decorating our house all ‘scary’ and playing the eerie music.” Her relatively recent move to Ann Arbor, MI has also enhanced her love for Halloween. “I like this time of the year. And being in Michigan, I really get to experience fall; which I love.”

While Kaitlin loved handing out candy to the beggars, Peter’s top memories of the holiday came from trick-or-treating. “The best Halloween memories for me as a kid were running from house to house with my brothers, trying to get as much candy as possible. One year we got a ton of candy but our dog got into it and ate most of it.”

Jessica recalls a Halloween with a classic costume she and her sister both wore when she was in middle school. “My sister and I bought matching sumo-wrestler costumes; they even had a fan in them to keep them blown up at all times. We wore them to school and to swim practice and everyone loved them!”

So now you know how some of the top swimmers in the US have spent Halloween. Be safe and have a good time creating memories of your own!

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