Peirsol into 200-meter finals

Tony Altobelli

INDIANAPOLIS -- The kid vs. the world champ showdown is officially set

for today’s 200-meter backstroke finals at the U.S. Olympic swimming time

trials.

Aaron Peirsol, the 17-year-old backstroke speed demon from Newport

Harbor High competing for the Irvine Novaquatics, advanced to the finals

with a time of one minute, 57.93 seconds, the fastest time of Sunday’s

semifinals.

“It was a great race for Aaron,� said Dave Salo, Novaquatics coach.

“He stayed under control, and he was very smooth out there. It was a job

well done.�

Peirsol’s time even edged world champion Lenny Krayzelburg’s time of

1:58.10, perhaps putting a little concern in the 24-year-old from USC

(via Russia), who already has made the U.S. Olympic squad in the

100-meter backstroke.

“It’s all going to depend on how Lenny wants to race,� Salo said.

“He’s been pretty much cruising throughout this thing. It will depend on

if he busts out and goes for his world record or is content with a

top-two finish.�

Peirsol and Krayzelburg head the eight-man finals, with the top two

finishers moving to the Sydney Games.

It was the second-fastest time ever for Peirsol, who swam a 1:57.03 at

the Senior Nationals in April. His mark beat his preliminaries time by

nearly a full second (1:58.90).

Stressing improvement in the first 50 meters, Peirsol swam as if he

had a motor his back, posting marks under 28 seconds in the first legs of

the prelims and semis, a critical area of the race for him.

“He’s been working hard on his starts, and the results show that,�

Salo said. “I still think there’s room for even more improvement, but

right now, he’s right where he needs to be.�

Peirsol is the only person in tonight’s final who knows what it’s like

to touch the wall ahead of Krayzelburg. He defeated Krayzelburg in his

home pool at the Janet Evans Invitational three weeks ago. It was

Krayzelburg’s first loss in the 200 backstroke in four years.

Peirsol’s dad, Tim, ever the superstitious one, makes no guarantees

but still likes how things are shaping up.

“I don’t want to spook it, but Aaron is looking real good right now,�

Tim Peirsol said. “Aaron is swimming under control, and we all think he’s

got a good shot. Things are on the right track. This whole experience has

been just unbelievable.�

Tate Blahnik (1:59.18) and Brian Walters (1:59.99) were the only other

swimmers besides Peirsol and Krayzelburg to post times under two minutes.

“Those guys will be up there in the 1:59s, but I think Aaron and Lenny

will be faster than that,� Salo said. “But hey, this is the Olympic time

trials, and anything can happen here.�

Today’s final will take place at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time.

For those who can’t wait for the next day’s results, log on to

https://www.usswim.org for information.