Melanie NeffWith Aaron Peirsol graduated and swimming...

Melanie Neff

With Aaron Peirsol graduated and swimming for the University of

Texas, Newport Harbor High’s Andrew Cole finally got to do something

he has always wanted to do -- win the CIF Southern Section Division I

championship in the 100-yard backstroke.

Cole, a senior who is headed to the University of Utah in the

fall, took advantage of Perisol’s absence and clocked a 51.50 in the

event, beating San Clemente’s Kenny Yamamoto by 0.33 seconds at

Belmont Plaza.

Cole, the only swimmer competing in the championship finals for

Newport’s boys team, also finished third in the 100 freestyle, an

event he took home the title in last year.

“I’m more excited about winning the backstroke this year than last

year’s title,” Cole said. “It’s my stroke. It’s a great way to end my

season by winning in my stroke.”

Cole took more than a second off his preliminary time of 52.56 in

the backstroke, swimming a 25.01 in the opening leg.

Despite his third-place finish in the freestyle, Cole was pleased,

swimming only .05 seconds slower than last year’s title time in

46.20. Tyler Wilson of Santa Barbara won the crown in 46.00 and

Fountain Valley’s Kevin McCoy was second in 46.03.

“I was amazed I went that fast,” Cole said. “I’m more proud of my

effort than being worried about where I finished.”

The Sailors had two relay teams in the consolation championships.

Cole led off the 200 freestyle relay, and along with Nathan Weiner,

Michael Bury and Sean McGhie finished 12th overall.

The 400 freestyle relay of Cole, Bury, Ross Sinclair and Weiner

finished 14th overall.