Swimming: Peirsol sets new PR

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Aaron Peirsol, the youngest American ever to

break the two-minute mark in the 200-meter backstroke, set a

personal-best time at the U.S. Open Swim Meet with a time of 1:59.75.

The sophomore from Newport Harbor High’s previous best time was

1:59.77, however, this was a long-meter race, with turns every 50 meters,

instead of every 25 meters.

Peirsol, 15, who swims for the Irvine Novaquatics, was second behind

current world-record holder Len Krayzelberg of the Trojan Swim Club, who

came in with a time of 1:57.74.

Gordon Kozulj of the Mission Viejo Nadadores was third at 1:59.96.

At the halfway point, Peirsol was .06 seconds behind Kozulj, before a

strong 50-meter surge put him in second by .38 seconds.

Peirsol won the CIF title in the 100 backstroke for the Sailors last

year.