Local swimmer Rebecca Soni is heading to the 200m breaststroke final after a world record-setting performance in the semifinals.
The Plainsboro native finished first in the semifinals today with a time of 2:20, setting a new world record in the event. The record was previously set by Canada’s Annamay Pierse during the semifinals of the 2009 World Championships with a time of 2:20.12. Soni also bettered the American world record that she herself set of 2:20.22 during her gold medal-winning performance in the 200m breaststroke at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Denmark’s Rikke Pedersen earned the second seed with a time of 2:22:23. Japan’s Satomi Suzuki finished earned the third seed with a time of 2:22:40.
Fellow American Micah Lawrence qualified for the 200m breaststroke final, earning the 6th seed with a time of 2:23.39.
The 200m breaststroke final takes place tomorrow at 2:40 p.m.
