Women's Swimming
    Rebecca Soni Wins 200 Breast At U.S. Olympic Trials
    She is defending Olympic champ in the event.
    Rebecca Soni
    Rebecca Soni

    June 30, 2012

    USC swimming alum Rebecca Soni qualified for her second race at the 2012 London Olympics when she won the 200-meter breaststroke at the 2012 U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., on Saturday evening (June 30).

    Soni, who earlier this week made the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in the 100m breast, won the 200m breast in 2:21.13, nearly 2 seconds ahead of runnerup Micah Lawrence. It was the fastest time in the world this year.

    Soni is the defending Olympic gold medalist in the event and also won a gold in the event at the 2011 World Championships.

    "I'm very ready," Soni said. "This was a nerve-racking meet all around with a lot of tension and emotion for everybody. Watching all the races, you really get into it. I'm excited to watch the last few nights of racing and get to training camp.

    "I'm happy to have made this team, and I know it is more pressure this time around at the Olympics. Hopefully I can overlook that and have a good race."

    USC sophomore transfer Andrea Kropp finished third in the 200m breast with a time of 2:24.82, a personal best for the third time in the event at the Trials. Kropp came to USC last season from Princeton, but sat out the year.

    Incoming Trojan freshman Maclin Davis placed seventh in a semifinal race of the 100m butterfly (and 13th overall).

    Amanda Weir, a 2008 Olympian who competed briefly for USC, was fifth in the 100m freestyle in 54.41, but could be added to the 2012 U.S. Olympic roster in the 400m free relay, pending swimmers qualifying in multiple events

    The trials continue through Monday.