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Larsen Jensen Larsen Jensen was born in Bakersfield in 1985 to a family of spirited swimmers – a pedigree that would lead to Olympic glory. Jensen rode an impressive high school career to the University of Southern California, only to leave midway through his freshman year to concentrate on training for the Olympic Trials. The move paid off. Jensen won the 1500-meter freestyle event at the 2004 Olympic Trials, setting a United States record in the process. He was second in the 400-meter freestyle, qualifying for the Olympic team in both events. Jensen captured a gold medal as part of the United States’ 4 x 200-meter freestyle team, competing in the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens, Greece. As an individual competitor, he won a silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle. |
His time in the so-called “metric mile” obliterated his own U.S. record, was the sixth-fastest ever and made him the third-fastest person ever in the event behind only Aussie legends Grant Hackett and Keiren Perkins. He just missed another medal by finishing fourth in the 400-meter freestyle. Following up his Olympic success, Jensen’s run continued at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, winning silver in both the 800-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle events. Returning to USC, Jensen captured his first career NCAA title in 2005 by out-dueling 2004 fellow U.S. Olympian Peter Vanderkaay to win the 1650-yard freestyle. Jensen qualified for the 2005 World Championships after winning the 800-meter and 1500-meter freestyle events at the U.S. trials. At the World Championships, Jensen set the American record in the 800-meter freestyle for the third time en route to a silver medal. He continued his strong swimming by winning another silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle event. |
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