Record breaker

OMAHA, Neb. — The 100-meter backstroke still belongs to Aaron Peirsol.

That could not be said with total certainty before Tuesday, but at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, the former Newport Harbor High phenom, left no doubt he owns the event.

Peirsol, racing in a strong field, broke his own world record in the 100 back, finishing in 52.89 seconds, lowering his record, which was 52.98.

Matt Grevers finished second in 53.19. The top two make the Olympic team.

Peirsol qualified for his third straight Olympic team and is out to win his second gold in the event at the Olympics.

He entered the 100 back finals as the No. 2 seed.

Swimming to his right was Ryan Lochte, who broke Peirsol’s previous 200 back world record. Randall Bal, the finals’ top seed, swam to Peirsol’s left.

“That was probably the best field I’ve ever been in,” Peirsol told the Associated Press. “I don’t think the Olympic field will be any harder than that.”

— From staff reports