COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 20. USC's Rebecca Soni had more things on her mind than just Tara Kirk's American record as she had to focus her efforts on overtaking Minnesota's Jillian Tyler in the women's 100-yard breast.
With Tyler leading over most of the race, Soni had to pour on the steam in the final 15 meters to catch Tyler, 58.36 to 58.53, as both beat the meet record of 58.60 set by Soni in prelims. Soni's time stands as the third-best ever, while Tyler's is the fifth.
The win defended Soni's 2008 title giving the Pac 10 its second straight back-to-back winner in the event as Jessica Hardy won in 2006 and 2007.
Wisconsin's Ashley Wanland wound up third in 59.14 in a time now outside the top 15. Seven of the top eight swimmers broke a 1:00 during finals with Arizona's Annie Chandler (59.24), Texas A&M's Alia Atkinson (59.43), Notre Dame's Samantha Maxwell (59.44) and Georgia's Colleen Haase (59.67) all breaking 1:00.
Georgia moved into first with 252 points, while California stood a close second with 247 points. Arizona (230.5), Stanford (182) and Auburn (136) completed the top five.
