Boys swimming: Peirsol, Cole, Lean lead the way

Steve Virgen

BELMONT SHORE - Newport Harbor High’s Big Three lived up to its

billing at the CIF Southern Section Division I Preliminaries Friday at

Belmont Plaza.

Sailor seniors Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lean, along with junior Andrew

Cole qualified in two events each, advancing to Friday’s championship

finals at 4 p.m. The Big Three, tabbed by their coach, Jason Lynch, also

helped the Sailors grab the top qualifying spot in the 200-yard freestyle

relay (1:27.86) and the 400 free relay (3:13.15). Michael Bury, who did

not advance in the 50 free and 100 butterfly, was also on the 200 free

relay team, while Nathan Weiner was also on the 400 free relay squad.

Peirsol, Lean and Cole are also swim club teammates for Irvine

Novaquatics.

“We’re pretty much on schedule,” Lynch said. “Lean is not seeded first

in any of his events, but being a senior I think he’ll come through.”

It appears Peirsol, the three-time world-record holder, is also

planning to make the most of his senior year. Peirsol, who skipped the

Sea View League Finals for a trip to the Bahamas to publicize his

favorite sport, qualified first in the 200 free (1:41.55) and the 100

back (49.29), which is his specialty.

Cole remained undefeated in the 100 free, winning his heat and

qualifying first (46.39). He also qualified second in the 100 back

(51.02), while Lean qualified second in the 500 free (4:34.44) and fifth

in the 200 free (1:43.34).

“I wanted to do that,” Peirsol said of his 49.29 time in the 100 back.

“To do that unshaved and without my (long) suit on, I’m happy with that.

(Friday’s championship finals) will be interesting and fun.”

Peirsol, who owns five CIF Division I individual titles, also said he

wants to break the national high school record in the 100 back, which is

47.50, held by Woodbridge’s Derya Buyukuncu (1994).

Peirsol is aiming for his fourth straight CIF Division I title in the

100 back on Friday. He also possesses CIF Division I individual titles in

the 200 free, and the 200 individual medley, in which he holds the record

with a 1:49.02 set in 2000.

“(The 49.29 time) let me know where I was,” Peirsol said. “I’m right

on track. I think I have it in me (to break the 100 back record).”

Lynch, who said the Sailors have a viable chance to win the CIF

Division I title, agreed with Peirsol.

“(The 49.29 time) sets the tone for him to break the record,” said

Lynch, who was also impressed with Cole’s time in the 100 free. “(Cole is) right where we need him to be.”

“I’m more comfortable with the meet than last year,” said Cole, who

moved to Newport from Sandy, Utah last year. “I know what to expect and

I’m just feeling better about this meet.”

Peirsol is also using experience as an attribute for Friday’s

championship finals. He’s enjoyed his time at Newport Harbor and the

memories with his teammates.

“We’re probably one of the most talented teams in Orange County,”

Peirsol said. “(The Sailors are) great at what they do. It’s great to see

talented people like them get up for a meet like this. The whole team is

ready to swim fast. It’s going to be real cool.”