Peirsol takes the plunge but does not qualify

Tony Altobelli

With his best event still a couple of days away, Aaron Peirsol used

Friday’s 100-meter backstroke finals at the U.S. Olympic time trials as a

way of getting the last bugs out of his nearly flawless system.

Competing for the Irvine Novaquatics, the 17-year-old standout from

Newport Harbor High School -- who advanced to the finals only after a

qualifying swimmer took himself out of the event Thursday -- finished

fourth with a personal-best time of 55.16 seconds.

Instead, a pair of 24-year-olds -- world champion Lenny Krayzelburg,

with a time of 53.84; and Neil Walker, with 54.85 -- qualified for the

2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. Randall Bal was third with 55.09.

“We talked before the race about shooting for a top-four finish and

that’s where he ended up,� Novaquatics coach Dave Salo said. “We wanted

to put some pressure on some of the other swimmers who are also competing

in the 200 and show that he’s got some speed to deal with.�

Peirsol’s finals time was more than eight-tenths of a second better

than his semifinals time Thursday and nearly a half-second better than

his previous best.

Despite a call for a faster start, it was Peirsol’s last 50 meters

that showed the biggest improvement. His 50 final split, timed at 28.27,

was nearly a second faster than his semifinals final split, at 29.06.

“Definitely, he picked up his time at the end of the race,� Salo said.

“His start is still off just a tad, but I think we’re in pretty good

shape for Sunday.�

Up next for the wonderkid is Sunday’s 200-meter backstroke

preliminaries and semifinals. Peirsol is ranked No. 2 in the world,

behind Krayzelburg in this event.

The finals are set for Monday.

“He’s got the speed there, which should carry over into the 200,�

Peirsol’s father, Tim, said. “We’re just real excited. He did great

tonight.�