Peirsol breaks record

Aaron Peirsol, the former Newport Harbor High phenom, outdid himself,

breaking his own world record in the 200-meter backstroke when he won

in 1:50.64 for the University of Texas at the NCAA swimming and

diving championships on Long Island, N.Y., Saturday.

Peirsol’s former record was 1:51.17, set in 2002 in a 25-meter

pool, as opposed to the 50-meter lengths for Olympic competition.

His record-breaking performance proved to be especially impressive

considering Perisol was not at 100%. He said he did not feel totally

healthy because of his tapering schedule and busy weekend at the

NCAA.

“I was just hoping I would go that fast,” Peirsol said in a

telephone interview. “For me it was a gutsy day. I wasn’t feeling

super great. I knew those guys next to me would be swimming well.

They pushed me. I didn’t feel excellent going into it. I was feeling

like I was in the middle of the workout, not in racing mode. That

kind of says a lot of where I’m at with just sheer strength.”

With the fast clocking of 1:50.64, Peirsol also broke the NCAA

record, formerly held by Florida’s Matt Cole (1:53.68).

“That makes me feel great,” he said of the world record. “I have

the two fastest times in the history of the event. No one can take

that away from me. I’m happy with the way the meet ended.”

It was also a great farewell for Peirsol in his collegiate finale.

After the meet, Peirsol said he will end his eligibility and turn

pro. He said he plans to stay in school.

“No more innocence for Aaron,” he said. “There was an innocence in

competing college because it is considered the amateur part of the

sport. I’m happy and excited to turn pro. It’s a great new dimension

for me. It’s going to be a cool step in my career.”

Peirsol ended his collegiate career with 11 All-American honors.

He will now turn his attention to the Olympics. He said he is

motivated to win the gold medal in the 200 back in Athens. He will

prepare for the Olympic trials July 7-14 in Long Beach.

He said he will thrive on the challenge if swim star Michael

Phelps enters the 200 back. Phelps is attempting to match Mark

Spitz’s feat of winning seven golds and might enter the event, as he

came within .15 seconds of breaking Peirsol’s world record.

“If he tries to swim the 200 back he has to go through me,”

Peirsol said. “If he wants to swim it, he should just come out and

say it. I don’t think at this point it’s time to play games. It’s

probably not him doing this. It’s probably just for publicity.”