Swimming: Peirsol wins national title in 100 back

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - After breaking the world record in the

200-meter backstroke Wednesday, Aaron Peirsol focused on having fun

Friday at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Minneapolis, Minn.

And, fun meant earning his fifth national title after winning the 100

back (54.47).

“(Friday) was all less stressful,” Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High

senior, said during a telephone interview. “I enjoyed all of it. It’s not

easy to enjoy a day at the meet, but I did today. It makes it a lot

easier to get that (record) off my mind. The 100 back is less nerve-wracking for me. (The 100 back) wasn’t my main focus. I just wanted

to have fun and I did have fun.”

Peirsol also helped the Irvine Novaquatics’ 800 freestyle relay team

to a national title. He swam second after Daniel Hewko, and before Scott

Tucker and Michael Cavic, as they finished in 7:44.42.

Peirsol also noted the realization of breaking the 200-back world

record still has not sunk in.

“I have the World Championships coming up,” Peirsol said. “I can’t be

on Cloud Nine the whole time. But I’m enjoying what’s going on right now.

I’m looking forward to college (University of Texas) and finishing up my

high school work.”

Peirsol’s sister, Hayley, finished ninth in the 400 free (4:14.68)

Friday, and swam the opening leg on the Novas’ 800 free relay team that

finished seventh (8:32.88).

-- by Steve Virgen