Peirsol shines in Rome

Newport Harbor High junior Hayley Peirsol won the 800-meter

freestyle in the second meet of the Mare Nostrum swimming series in Rome,

Italy Tuesday. Peirsol, representing the United States national junior

team, finished in 8:40.05.

“That’s her best time without tapering and being unshaved,” said Brent

Lorenzen, Peirsol’s coach from the Irvine Novaquatics. “At this time of

the season, that’s a good mark.”

The national anthem was played over loudspeakers while Peirsol stood

on the winner’s podium, her mother, Wella, said. Peirsol also finished

19th in the 200 free (2:06.46), and will compete today in the 400 free

and the 400 individual medley.

The Mare Nostrum series is a four-meet competition in Europe,

featuring individual swimmers and teams from around the world. The next

stop for the Mare Nostrum is Barcelona, which will not include the U.S.

national junior team.

Peirsol, who won the 800 free and finished second in the 400 free at

the Speedo Grand Challenge May 26, is focusing on the National

Championship Aug. 12 in Florida, Lorenzen said. The meet also serves as a

qualifying event for a world swim team that will compete in the Pan

Pacific Games or the World Championships. Peirsol hopes to earn a spot on

one of those teams.

“She’s working real hard,” Lorenzen said. “She has a great shot to

make those teams. It’s great that she’s performing that well.”

-- by Steve Virgen