University Southern California Trojans
Soni Wins 100m Breast Pan Pac Title
August 20, 2010 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Aug. 20, 2010
Less than two weeks after winning her latest pair of U.S. national titles, former USC All-American Rebecca Soni maintained her dominance in her signature stroke, capturing the 100-meter breaststroke on the second day of the 2010 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships on Thursday (Aug. 19) at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
A 2009 World Championships gold medalist in the race and a 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the event, Soni won the race in 1:04.93, the third-fastest time ever, behind only club teammate Jessica Hardy (1:04.45) and her own 1:04.84.
Australian breaststroke stalwart Leisel Jones, the 2008 Olympic champion in the event, was only 0.10 behind Soni after 50 meters, but could not keep up with her American rival on the back half, finishing second in 1:05.66. Australia's Sarah Katsoulis was third in 1:07.04.
Soni's win marks the third straight Pan Pac title for the U.S. Amanda Beard, fifth on Thursday, won the 2002 race while Tara Kirk was first in 2006.
Soni will race in the 200m breast on Saturday.
