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.”
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