USA Swimming Nationals: Rebecca Soni Scares Amanda Beard’s American Record in 200 Breaststroke

By John Lohn

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 31. CALL it a statement swim…in a big way.

Taking command from the get-go, Rebecca Soni blasted the field in the 200-meter breaststroke Tuesday night, challenging Amanda Beard's American record on her way to a time of 2:23.62. While Soni missed Beard's American mark of 2:22.44, she still went fast enough to secure a meet record, topping the 2:24.75 of Kristy Kowal from 2000. Soni's swim made her the fourth-fastest performer in history, behind Leisel Jones (2:20.54), Beard and China's Qi Hui (2:22.99).

Soni went out hard, taking the lead at the first turn in 32.76. She continued to build her advantage with what seemed to be each stroke, touching under American-record pace at the 100 (1:08.81) and 150-meter marks (1:45.84). She slowed a bit coming into the wall, but the University of Southern California standout was spectacular nonetheless. It can be argued that the swim makes Soni the favorite a year out from the Olympic Trials.

Caitlin Leverenz, a rising 16-year-old, was the second-place finisher in 2:25.78, just off her personal best of 2:25.62. Leverenz has had a busy summer, as she was the gold medalist in the 200 breast at the recent Pan American Games. The third-place finisher was Megan Jendrick, who touched in 2:27.82. Jendrick was the silver medalist at the World Champs and took gold in the 100 breast at the Sydney Olympics. Fourth went to Keri Hehn (2:28.53).

Notably missing from the championship final was Tara Kirk, well-versed at the international level. Kirk qualified 10th during the morning preliminaries and had to compete in the consolation final during the evening session. While she led the majority of the consolation final, Kirk ultimately settled for second as her time of 2:29.83 was bettered by Abby MacGregor's effort of 2:29.54.

Click here to view event results PDF file.

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