FIU Athletics

As a Junior (2012-13): Sun Belt Champion in the 400 IM, where she posted a Conference record time of 4:10.54…Qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 200 backstroke, where she swam for a time of 1:58.58, a season-best for her…Posted a time of 4:49.88 at the SBC Championships in the 500 freestyle to earn a fifth place finish…Tallied a personal-best time of 16:35.87 in the 1650 freestyle, swimming to a third place finish at the SBC Championships…Overall, swam to 21 first-place finishes during her 2012-13 season…Currently holds the school record in the 500 freestyle and 400 IM, along with being a member of school-record holding 800 freestyle relay squad. 

As a Sophomore (2011-12): Was named an Honorable Mention All-American… Posted two FIU top times: 500 Free (4:57.45) against FAU (2/4) and the 400 IM (4:13.99) at the 2012 Sun Belt Championships (2/22)… Swam in the 1000 free (10:35.98) against FGCU (9/30) and placed second… Claimed three first place titles against Campbell and North Florida (10/29) in the 100 free (10:35.43), in the 200 back (2:04.12), and in the 200 IM (2:08.24)… Came in second in the 200 IM (2:05.71) and in the 200 back (2:02.69) against FAU and Florida Southern (11/5); also teamed with Klara Andersson, Kariann Stevens, Mariangela Macchiavello in the 200 medley relay (1:49.73) and placed first…. Won three events against Nova Southeastern and IRSC (11/12) in the 100 back (58.87), the 500 free (5:05.32), and the 800 free relay (7:45.17) while teaming with Kayla Derr, Vicnan Torres, and Nadia Farrugia… During the UALR Christmas Invitational (12/3) placed first in the 200 back (2:02.53) and in the 200 IM (4:25.97)… Claimed three events against Central Connecticut State (1/14)… Finished first in the 200 back (2:03.62) and in the 200 IM (2:05.88) while competing against FGCU (1/28)… Took first place against FAU and DSC (2/04) in the 500 free (4:57.45)… Won bronze in the 200 back (1:57.68) and the 800 free relay (7:18.62) while teaming with Kayla Derr, Vicnan Torres, and Johanna Gustafsdottir during the Sun Belt Championships (2/22); also won silver in the 400 IM (4:13.99).

Prior to FIU: University of Bridgeport transfer… In 2007, finished ninth in the 200m back at the European Junior Championships… Won the 100m and 200m back in the Spanish Junior Championships (2006-2007/2007-2008)… Placed third in the 500m free, fifth in the 200m IM and sixth in the 200m back at the 2011 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships.

Personal: Born on Feb. 24, 1991 in Barcelona, Spain… Hospitality major. Parents Ana Arau and Antonio Perez. Sonia also has a brother and sister in Cristina and Hector Perez Arau who play water polo.

Individual Top Times (Entering the 2013-14 season)

100 Free: 54.10 (2013)

500 Free: 4:50.32 (2012)

1000 Free: 10:11.36 (2013)

1065 Free: 16:35.87 (2013)

100 Back: 56.77 (2012)

200 Back: 1:57.68 (2012)

100 IM: 59.52 (2013)

200 IM: 2:01.73 (2012)

400 IM: 4:10.54 (2013)

50 Fly: 28.20 (2012)

200 Fly: 2:07.43 (2012)

200 Breast: 2:24.46 (2012)