Peirsol Wins 100 Back in Meet Record Time

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 2 AARON Peirsol blazed to a meet-record time in the 100-meter backstroke to win in front of his hometown crowd at the 2006 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine, Calif. He clocked a 53.38 to surpass Lenny Krayzelburg's time of 53.67 set in 2000. He also claimed his 10th national title in the 100 back.

"It never gets any easier," Peirsol said. "Especially when you race against these guys. Randall and I swim the race totally different. Randall's a great front-halfer, and if I can stay with him, my power is in the back half. This really gives me confidence for the 200 back with two days rest."

Stanford's Randall Bal went out under world-record pace with a 25.94 at the 50-meter mark. Peirsol, however, had a different idea as he rocketed past Bal, who stayed under a bit too long at the turn, to touch in a meet record. Bal would up with silver in 53.91, while Stanford's Peter Marshall provided the outside smoke with a 54.77 from lane eight.

In the B final, Wisconsin’s Adam Mania snared an early lead with a 26.91 at the 50-meter mark. He made the advantage stand with a win in 55.73. Meanwhile, Stanford’s Hongzhe Sun picked up second in 56.27, while Longhorn’s Daniel Rohleder finished third in 56.32.

In the C final, Arizona Desert Fox’s Alexander Righi raced home to win in 56.25, while Penn State’s Patrick Schirk grabbed second in 56.62. Meanwhile, Indiana University’s Todd Patrick picked up third in 57.29.
Event 10 Men 100 LC Meter Backstroke
==================================================================
World: W 53.17 4/2/2005 Aaron Peirsol, Longhorn
American: A 53.17 4/2/2005 Aaron Peirsol, Longhorn
U.S. Open: O 53.17 4/2/2005 Aaron Peirsol, Longhorn
LC Nationals: M 53.67 8/10/2000 Lenny Krayzelburg, Trojan
Oly. Trial: 57.99
Sum. Nat Cut: 58.69
US Open Cut: 59.79
Meet Qualifying: 58.69
Name Age Team Prelims Finals FINA
==================================================================
=== Championship Final ===

1 Peirsol, Aaron 23 Longhorn Aquatic 54.51 53.38M 1031
r:+0.73 26.06 53.38 (27.32)
2 Bal, Randall 25 Stanford Swimmin 54.27 53.91 1001
r:+0.58 25.94 53.91 (27.97)
3 Marshall, Peter 24 Stanford Swimmin 55.46 54.77 955
r:+0.72 26.46 54.77 (28.31)
4 Thoman, Nichola 20 Tucson Ford Deal 55.35 54.90 948
r:+0.63 26.86 54.90 (28.04)
5 Plummer, David 20 Minnesota Aquati 55.00 54.93 946
r:+0.64 26.50 54.93 (28.43)
6 Russell, David 19 Bluefish Swim Cl 55.33 55.19 933
r:+0.62 26.66 55.19 (28.53)
7 Wike, James 22 Auburn Universit 55.21 55.38 923
r:+0.65 27.01 55.38 (28.37)
8 Grevers, Matthe 21 Una Wild-IL 55.34 55.50 918
r:+0.60 26.51 55.50 (28.99)

=== Consolation Final ===

9 Mania, Adam 22 Wisconsin Aquati 55.93 55.73 906
r:+0.61 26.91 55.73 (28.82)
10 Sun, Hongzhe 20 Stanford Swimmin 56.16 56.27 880
r:+0.67 27.69 56.27 (28.58)
11 Rohleder, Danie 20 Longhorn Aquatic 56.34 56.32 878
r:+0.63 27.05 56.32 (29.27)
12 Hesen, Benedict 20 Indiana Universi 56.61 56.36 876
r:+0.55 27.17 56.36 (29.19)
13 Sacco, Thomas 21 Longhorn Aquatic 57.09 56.64 863
r:+0.58 27.36 56.64 (29.28)
14 Thompson, Matth 16 Dallas Mustangs- 57.14 56.84 854
r:+0.62 27.86 56.84 (28.98)
15 King, Nathan 21 Ohio State Swim- 56.51 57.03 846
r:+0.61 28.13 57.03 (28.90)
16 Chapman, Craig 23 Longhorn Aquatic 56.86 57.10 843
r:+0.65 28.10 57.10 (29.00)

=== Bonus Final ===

17 Righi, Alex 19 Arizona Desert F 57.36 56.25 881
r:+0.63 27.04 56.25 (29.21)
18 Schirk, Patrick 19 Penn State Unive 57.65 56.62 864
r:+0.74 27.66 56.62 (28.96)
19 Patrick, Todd 21 Indiana Universi 57.81 57.29 834
r:+0.67 27.53 57.29 (29.76)
20 Chitwood, Cory 17 Northern KY Clip 57.38 57.40 829
r:+0.64 28.06 57.40 (29.34)
21 Johnson, Grant 21 Clearwater-FL 58.07 57.50 825
r:+0.72 28.26 57.50 (29.24)
22 Hafkin, Joshua 18 Rockville Montgo 57.57 57.85 810
r:+0.52 27.82 57.85 (30.03)
23 Patton, Sean 19 Mecklenburg Aqua 58.09 57.95 806
r:+0.73 28.31 57.95 (29.64)
24 Lemyre, Robert 21 Ohio State Swim- 57.47 58.46 785
r:+0.57 27.74 58.46 (30.72)

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use