Swimming: Peirsols shine at National Championships

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Aaron Peirsol and his younger sister, Hayley,

continue to produce success after their efforts at the Phillips 66

National Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. Thursday.

Aaron Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High senior who broke the world record

in the 200-meter backstroke Wednesday, swam the anchor leg in the Irvine

Novaquatics’ victorious 400 freestyle relay (3:31.17). His 50-meter

splits were 25.85, 53.70, and he won along with Scott Tucker, Jason Lezak

and Daniel Hewko.

Aaron Peirsol also finished sixth in the 200 free (1:51.11), in which

American-record holder Josh Davis won (1:49.21).

Hayley Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High sophomore who was runner-up in

the 800 free Tuesday, finished second again, this time in the 400

individual medley (4:50.30) behind winner Adrienne Binder (4:44.65).

The Peirsols have also been instrumental in the Novaquatics’

dominating pace to claiming the National Championships title. The Novas’

men squad has 154 points, while second-place University of Minnesota has

57. And the Novas’ women has amassed 160 points to second-place De Anza

Cupertino’s 51.

Dave Salo, also the head man of the Orange Coast College swim teams,

is the head coach of the Novas.