Peirsol at U.S. Open

Newport Harbor High sophomore Aaron Peirsol, the youngest American

to eclipse two minutes in the 200-meter backstroke and the CIF Southern

Section champion in the 100-yard backstroke last spring, will compete in

the U.S. Open Swimming Championships Friday-Sunday in San Antonio, Texas.

Peirsol, 16, who aims to make the U.S. Olympic team at the trials in

August, said he will compete in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke and

probably the 200 and 400 freestyle events in Texas.

“It’s a pretty big meet, because it’s kind of a foreshadowing for the

Olympic trials,” said Peisol, who is unsure whether he will compete for

the Sailors as a sophomore.

Peirsol finished third in the 200-meter backstroke at a recent World Cup

competition, representing Irvine Novaquatics.