USA Swimming Winter Nationals: Rebecca Soni Sparkles in 200 Breast Win

For full Swimming World editorial coverage sponsored by SwimOutlet.com of the entire 2011 USA Swimming Winter Nationals, including all videos and recaps, visit our Event Landing Page.

ATLANTA, Georgia, December 3. TROJAN's Rebecca Soni continued to remind the rest of the world, that the likely occurrence in at the 2012 London Olympics in the breaststroke is her on top and everyone else going for silver. Tonight, she swept the breaststroke events with a stunning time of 2:21.46 at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals.

Soni, who clocked a 1:07.86 going out – nearly a top 25 100 breast time in and of itself, finished the distance breaststroke with a 2:21.46. That gave her a third 2:21 this year with a 2:21.03 and 2:21.47 at Worlds. In fact, Soni owns seven of the top eight times in the world this year, with Yuliya Efimova being the only person to break a top seven streak with a 2:22.22. Notably, Soni's time tonight is the 16th best all time, giving her nine of the top 25 times all time.

Amanda Beard put on a good show for second with a 2:24.46 to move to ninth in the world rankings this year, while Martha McCabe took third tonight in 2:25.08. Efimova (2:25.12), Gisselle Kohoyda (2:26.56), Andrea Kropp (2:27.27), Micah Lawrence (2:27.49), Tera Van Beilen (2:27.77), Katy Freeman (2:29.04) and Hanna Pierse (2:29.61) also vied for the title.

Elizabeth Smith topped the B final in 2:30.25, while Haylee Johnson touched second in 2:31.33. Alicia Jensen (2:32.87), Julie Stupp (2:32.91), Raminta Dvariskyte (2:33.13), Jennifer Wilson (2:33.25), Annie Zhu (2:33.91), Kirsten Trammell (2:34.11), Sarah Haase (2:35.48) and Helena Pikhartova (2:36.28) earned third through 10th in the heat.

Alia Atkinson clinched the C final in 2:33.87, while Romy Landeck placed second in 2:35.44. Mhyria Miller (2:35.47), Caroline Neil (2:35.52), Ashley Danner (2:35.57), Justine Muelller (2:35.58), Athena Liao (2:36.70), Katie Meili (2:36.92), Crystal Kibby (2:37.16) and Karie Haglund (2:37.24) posted times in the bonus heat.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use