Background[]
- Swimmer from United States (also known as USA)
.
Insights[]
- You go, girl: Beard qualifies for fourth Olympics - 07/04/08 - Rebecca Soni has won the 200-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, and Amanda Beard's also heading to Beijing.
- Rebecca Soni was a Golden Goggle Award Nominee (10/8/2008) for Breakout Performer of the Year
Rebecca Soni repeats as a nominee in this category in 2008. But while she broke through in 2007, she broke out in 2008 with a performance of a lifetime in the 200m breaststroke in Beijing. The 21-year-old New Jersey native set her own dominating standard by defeating heavy favorite Leisel Jones of Australia (also known as AUS) 
, who many thought was unbeatable. Soni’s time of 2:20.22 broke the world record and earned the USC senior a gold medal. She also earned two silver medals, in the 100m breaststroke (behind Jones) and the 4 x 100m medley relay. Her relay performance, along with Natalie Coughlin, Christine Magnuson and Dara Torres broke the American record by five seconds.
Background[]
- Swimmer at USC
- in 2008 = 21 DOB: Mar 18, 1987
- Hometown = Plainsboro, N.J.
- former resident of Freehold, N.J.
- Coach = Dave Salo
- Wikipedia:Rebecca Soni
- USA Swimming's media guide provided some source materials.
Career Highlights:[]
Won the 100y and 200y breast at the 2008 NCAA Championships ... captured three medals at the 2005 World University Games, including double silver in the 100m and 200m breast and gold swimming prelims of the 400m medley relay … Two-time national champion in the 200m breast (2005, 2007) ... 2007 national champion in the 100m breast.
Short Course Worlds[]
Member of the 2006 U.S. Short Course Worlds Team
United States (also known as USA) Nationals[]
2007: 1, 100 BR; 1, 200 BR
NCAA 
Championships[]
2007(So): 1, 200y BR; 6, 100y BR; 35, 400y IM
NCAA Championships[]
2006(Fr): 1, 200y BR; 2, 100y BR/400y MR-R; 11, 200y IM
NCAA Championships[]
2008 (Jr): 1, 100y BR, 200y BR; 8, 400y FR-R
2007 World Rankings:[]
26th, 50m breast; 3rd, 100m breast; 2nd, 200m breast
2005 World Rankings:[]
19th, 100m breast; 5th, 200m breast
Records:[]
Holds NAG (17-18) in 200y BR, set at 2006 CA PAC-10 Champs
United States (also known as USA) Swim Titles[]
200m Breast (2): '07 SUM, ’05 SUM 100m Breast (1): '07 SUM
Details[]
Swam on a relay with Shaq against Michael Phelps on a TV show.
Shaquille O'Neall vs Michael Phelps Swimming Competition
National Teams: 2005 National A Team All-Star Team: 2005
Personal:[]
High School: West Windsor Plainsboro High School ’05
College: USC ’09 College Major: Communication
Family, Village, Community[]
Parents: Peter and Kinga … father works in real estate, and mother is a nurse … parents came to America from Hungary and Romania before she was born.
Sibling(s): Older sister (Rita Soni) swam for Texas A&M
Sports Played Before Swimming: Gymnastics
Nickname(s): Reb
Pet(s): One cat (Charlie)
Hobbies Outside the Pool: Learning to play guitar, reading, scrapbooking Hobbies Outside the Pool: T.V. Shows: Gray's Anatomy, Heroes ... musical artists: Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Keith Urban, Pat Green
Ultimate Way to Relax: A day at the beach
Most Influential Person: Parents … “They support me no matter what happens.” Charities: Has done some fundraising for hurricane relief funds
Training Notes[]
2008[]
Swims 14,000 meters/yards per day, 3-4 hours a day, 6 days a week More: Speaks Hungarian ... underwent minor heart surgery in 2006.
International Medals[]
2007 Duel in The Pool 2007: Bronze, 100m BR; Silver, 200m BR 2005 World University Games 2005: Silver, 100m BR; Silver, 200m BR
Top Times[]
Event Best Year 100m BR 1:06.94 Aug 07 200m BR 2:23.36 Aug 07
2008[]
NCAA - 1 Final, 100y BR; 1 Final, 200y BR; 8 Final, 400y MED-R
2007[]
SUM NATS - 1 Final, 100m BR; 1 Final, 200m BR; 4 Final, 400m MED-R MoO DiP - 3 Final, 100m BR; 2 Final, 200m BR
2006[]
SUM NATS - 10 Final, 100m BR; 10 Final, 200m BR SC WORLD - 4 Final, 200m BR (Short Course Meters) NCAA - 2 Final, 100y BR; 1 Final, 200y BR; 11 Final, 200y IM
2005[]
WUG - 7 Final, 50m BR SUM NATS - 6 Final, 100m BR; 1 Final, 200m BR WC TRIALS - 4 Final, 100m BR; 3 Final, 200m BR
2004[]
SUM NATS - 2 Final, 200m BR OLY TRIALS - 15 Final, 100m BR; 11 Final, 200m BR SPG NATS - 24 Final, 200m BR 2003 SUM NATS - 7 Final, 100m BR; 2 Final, 200m BR 2002 SUM NATS - 21 Final, 200m BR SPG NATS - 9 Final, 100m BR; 15 Final, 200m BR