The Olympic plunge

Roger Carlson

Aaron Peirsol, a junior at Newport Harbor High School, left for

Indianapolis and the U.S. Olympic swim trials Monday. His first

competition, the 100-meter backstroke, is Thursday.

Peirsol is a longshot to make the team in the 100-meter backstroke,

though he will probably advance to the eight-man finals.

But he’s one of the favorites in his specialty, the 200-meter

backstroke, which begins Sunday. Peirsol is ranked No. 2 in the world in

the event with a sizzling time of 1:57.03 set in April at the Spring

Nationals in Seattle. The top two finishers in each event make the U.S.

swim team.

Lenny Krayzelburg is Peirsol’s most dangerous rival. The USC Swim Club

swimmer hadn’t been beaten in four years until last month’s upset at the

Janet Evans Invitational at USC, when the 6-foot, 2-inch, 160-pound

Peirsol unleashed his amazing kick down the stretch.

Krayzelburg, a 24-year-old European import, is the favorite in both

the 100- and 200-meter events.

The 17-year-old Peirsol is a member of Irvine Novaquatics, coached by

Orange Coast College’s Dave Salo.

Scheduled to join Peirsol later this week are his parents, Tim and

Wella, and sister, Hayley.

PEIRSOL’S OLYMPIC BID:

* Thursday: 100-meter backstroke, first round and semifinals

* Friday: 100-meter backstroke finals

* Sunday: 200-meter backstroke, first round and semifinals

* Monday: 200-meter backstroke finals