BRIEFS

MELBOURNE, Australia — Aaron Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High product, continued his dominance at the World Championships, qualifying first in the 200-meter backstroke in 1 minute, 57.79 seconds.

Peirsol will take the top seed into Friday night’s (early Friday morning Pacific Standard Time) finals. Peirsol, who holds the world records in the 100 and 200 back, will be seeking his ninth individual gold medal at the Worlds. He shattered his world record in the 100 back, finishing in 52.98 seconds on Tuesday. The previous record was 53.17.

Hayley Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High product, will be competing in the 800 freestyle on Friday.