Former world record holder Cochrane easily wins 800 meters.

Cochrane easily wins 800 meters.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Former world record holder Ryan Cochrane opened the Santa Clara International Invitational with a victory in the men’s 800 meters on Thursday.

Cochrane, a bronze medalist in the 1,500 at the Beijing Olympics, never trailed in his returns to racing following a short break. The Canadian completed the race in 7:58.00. Australia’s Robert Hurley finished second in 8:01.73.

UCLA senior Samantha Vanden Berge won the women’s 1,500 meters with a strong second half, easing past high school star Tristin Baxter and winning by just over a second with a time of 16:51.63.

Baxter, who will attend Arizona State in the fall, finished in 16:52.91.

Vanden Berge, who swam in the past two Olympic trials, maintained a steady pace throughout and kept the lead once she took over about halfway through the race.