Peirsol helps Texas set NCAA record

Aaron Peirsol, a former Newport Harbor High standout and world-record

holder in the 200-meter backstroke, is well on his way to a brilliant

debut for the University of Texas in the NCAA Swimming and Diving

Championships.

Peirsol, the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and five-time

conference champion, swam the backstroke in the Longhorns’ victorious

400-yard medley relay team that set an NCAA, American and US Open

record time of 3:04.47 Thursday.

The previous record was 3:05.37. According to a report written by

the meet’s host Texas, there was a freak malfunction of the timing

system and Peirsol’s split was not recorded. He was in second before

Brendan Hansen took over in the breaststroke. Peirsol’s split was

clocked by coaches at 45.5. He also finished second in the

consolation final of the 500 freestyle (4:18.04).

Peirsol, who is undefeated in the 200 back this season, will swim

in the 100 back and 800 free relay today. He will compete in the 200

back and 400 free relay Saturday.