Swimming: Peirsol takes the bronze in World Cup event

EDMONTON, Alberta Canada - Aaron Peirsol from Newport Harbor High,

took third place in the 200-meter backstroke for the Irvine Novaquatics

in the second stage of the World Cup competition with a time of 1:57.16.

The 16-year-old was beaten out by Gordon Kojulz of Croatia, a member

of the Croatia Olympic Team and 29-year-old Rogerio Romerio of Brazil.

His time improved by more than two seconds from his qualifying time.

In his third-place finish, Peirsol out-swam Canadian Olympian and

World Championship Bronze Medalist Mark Versveld, who ended up in seventh

place.

Peirsol will join his Irvine Novaquatics as they head for the U.S.

Open Swimming Championships to be held in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 2-4.