Peirsol’s 10th title doesn’t come easily

IRVINE — Aaron Peirsol won his 10th national championship in swimming with his second-fastest time in the 100-meter backstroke, but the Newport Harbor High graduate said afterward it was one of the toughest races of his career.

With a time of 53.38 seconds Wednesday, Peirsol won the first of two events he will compete in at the USA Swimming National Championships and Team Trials at William Woollett, Jr. Aquatic Center.

Peirsol, 23, has won three Olympic gold medals and one silver. He won his first national championship at the age of 16, but said Wednesday’s race, which he won by more than half a second over Randall Bal, was more difficult.

“It never gets any easier,” said the two-time Olympian, who led for the final 50 meters. “Especially against these guys.”

Peirsol was less than a quarter of a second from breaking the world record he set in 2005. As he pushed closer to the finish, it was something that was on his mind.

“For us swimmers the [national championships] is a big deal,” Peirsol said of the yearly event. “When the Olympics comes around you hope you are still young enough.”

As Peirsol walked to his lane with the seven other athletes, the crowd burst with shouts of his name. When he was introduced, he received the loudest ovation of the day.

“It actually calms me down,” Peirsol said of the electric atmosphere. “Not all of your family and friends can go to your meets in Japan and Australia.”

Peirsol trailed the first 50 meters against Bal, who is a sprinter. But on the turn, Peirsol burst ahead.

“Randall is pretty good at getting out front in the first half,” Peirsol said. “I’m more of a 200 guy.”

Peirsol will compete in the 200 backstroke on Saturday, an event in which he holds the world record. He doesn’t plan on approaching the race any differently than Wednesday.

“Just go out after it,” he said.

Peirsol’s sister, Hayley, also a Newport Harbor graduate, finished third in the 400 freestyle Tuesday. She will compete in the 400 individual medley today and hope to advance to the final of the 800 freestyle and the 400 medley relay on Saturday.

“She’s competing well and that’s the thing I’m most happy about,” Aaron Peirsol said.