Boys swimming: Peirsol breaks own record

Tony Altobelli

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - Newport Harbor sophomore boys swimming

standout Aaron Peirsol continues his rise up the charts at the U.S.

National Swim Championships Friday.

Competing for the Irvine Novaquatics, Peirsol shattered his own national

age group record in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 55.63,

bettering his previous mark of 56.55.

“I felt really good out there,” Peirsol said. “I ended up doing even

better than I expected to tonight.”

Peirsol, 16, competing in a field where the average age was 23, took

second behind 23-year-old Neil Walker of the Texas Aquatics (54.58).

“He was trackin’ him down, but he ran out of pool,” Novaquics Coach Dave

Salo said. “He’s just gets better and better with each race.”

Peirsol was also part of the 800 freestyle relay team, which took fifth

place at 7:39.0. He will compete in the 200 individual medley today.