Sterling native Matt McLean anchored the United States men’s 800-meter freestyle relay team to a gold medal at the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships Dec. 13 in Istanbul.

The United States team of Ryan Lochte, Connor Dwyer, Michael Klueh and McLean struck gold in a time of 6:51.40. Australia (6:52.29) finished second and Germany (6:53.22) was third. McLean was also a part of the prelims earlier in the day that qualified fourth for the finals.

This is the fourth international gold medal for McLean, a Potomac Falls High School alum. He was a member of the 800 free relay team that won gold at the 2012 London Olympics, and also placed first in the 200 free and as part of the 800 free relay at the 2011 World University Games.

McLean graduated from the University of Virginia in 2011 with a degree in sociology and is currently a volunteer assistant swim coach for the Cavaliers. He won the 2011 NCAA Championship in the 500 freestyle and was the Atlantic Coast Conference Swimmer of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2011.