Soni, Mellouli Medal Again At Worlds
December 17, 2010 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Dec. 17, 2010
For the second day in a row, former USC greats Rebecca Soni and Ous Mellouli each reached the medal stand while Soni also qualified for another final on the third day of the 2010 FINA Short Course World Championships on Friday (Dec. 17) in Dubai, UAE.
Mellouli won his third medal in as many days by finishing third in the 400m free in 3:38.17. Mellouli led a tightly bunched field for most of the race, but was passed in the final 50 by winner Paul Biedermann (3:37.06) of Germany and Russia's Nikita Lobintsev (3:37.84). America's Peter Vanderkaay (3:38.44) and Denmark's Mads Glaesner (3:38.56) finished within a half second of Mellouli as well. Mellouli previously won bronze in the 200m free and silver in the 400m IM. He will be among the favorites in Sunday's 1500m free.
Soni, who won gold in the 50m breast on Thursday, earned a silver medal as part of the United States' 4x100 medley relay, which finished second in 3:48.36. The Stars and Stripes were edged by China's quartet, which won in 3:48.29. The U.S. led heading into the final leg but was overtaken near the wall.
Soni's next chance to return to the medal stand will be Saturday in the final of the 100m breast. The world record holder in the event, she qualified for the final with the top semifinal time (1:04.64). Among those joining her in the final will be Australian rival Leisel Jones, who qualified second (1:04.75). Jones, then a favorite, beat Soni in the 2008 Olympics in the 100m breast (lc) before being upset by Soni in the 200m breast. Soni won the 100m breast (lc) at the 2009 World Championships. Soni will also swim in the 200m breast on Sunday.
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