Peirsols into finals

MELBOURNE, Australia — Hayley Peirsol and older brother Aaron Peirsol, both Newport Harbor High products, qualified for today’s finals in the 1,500-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke, respectively, in preliminary action at the FINA World Championships Monday.

Hayley Peirsol qualified first in 16 minutes, 2.08 seconds, ahead of Japan’s Ai Shibata (16:05.92) and American Kate Ziegler (16:07.71).

Ziegler is the reigning world champion in the 1,500 and 800 free events, having claimed both titles in 2005 at Montreal.

Aaron Peirsol, the world record holder in both the 100 and 200 back and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, qualified third.

He saw the world championships record he set in Barcelona in 2003 eclipsed by American Ryan Lochte, who topped all qualifiers in 53.51 seconds.

Great Britain’s Liam Tancock qualified second (53.71) followed by Peirsol (53.92).

Peirsol’s world-record time in the event is 53.17.