Flash! Peirsol Lowers World Record in 100 Backstroke

By John Lohn

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 2. AARON Peirsol keeps taking the world record in the 100 backstroke to new lows.

The top qualifier in the event at the World Championship Trials, Peirsol blazed 53.17 for the two-lap event, to finish well ahead of Randall Bal, second place in 54.01. Peirsol broke his own record of 53.45, produced on the leadoff leg of the United States' world-record setting 400 medley relay in Athens.

Representing Longhorn Aquatics, Peirsol was second at the turn in 25.96, but under world-record pace. Bal was 25.92 at the midpoint, but couldn't keep pace down the stretch.

“I think it’s rare you surprise yourself like that,” Peirsol said. “It’s good that I still can. I’ve done a lot at my level, and to still surprise myself once in a while … it was interesting. I don’t know what that was all about.”

Peirsol also owns the world record in the 200 backstroke, where he's expected to have a showdown with Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte later in the meet.

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