Dec. 13, 2012

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Former California star and two-time New Zealand Olympian Lauren Boyle captured the gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle at the FINA World Championships on Thursday, clocking a record time of 8:08.62 in the short-course meet held at Sinan Erdem Arena. Boyle became just the second swimmer - male or female - from New Zealand to win a title at short-course worlds and broke her own national record in the 800 freestyle.

The erstwhile Golden Bear's time was just .37 seconds off the 800-freestyle course record of 8:08.25. She is slated to swim in the 400 free on Friday and in the 200 free on Sunday, the final day of the World Championships.

Boyle, who turns 25 on Friday, swam at Cal from 2007-10. She placed fourth in the 800-meter free and eighth in the 400 free at last summer's Olympics. In the 2011 World University Games she won gold in the 800 and 400 frees along with silver in the 200 free and bronze in the 1500 free.

Universal Sports is televising short-course worlds. To view the remaining broadcast schedule, please visit this USA Swimming page.