The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas-Ex Peirsol shatters world record at USA Swimming National Championships
07.08.2009 | Men's Swimming and Diving
July 8, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS -- Another stunning world record from Texas-Ex Aaron Peirsol capped a productive night for current, future and former Longhorns Wednesday evening at the 2009 USA Swimming National Championships.
Peirsol, a three-time Olympian and the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter backstroke, reclaimed his 100m backstroke world record that was broken only last week by Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Peirsol and fellow Beijing Olympian Matt Grevers were under world record pace after the first 50 meters, but Peirsol blew away Grevers and the rest of the field on the back half on his way to a new world record of 51.94 seconds. Peirsol became the first man to break 52 seconds while shattering Faber's previous world mark of 52.38.
"It was a beautiful race," Peirsol told the crowd at the IUPUI Natatorium. "I knew I could do something special tonight. I am a little speechless. Anyone can break a world record on any day, but consistency is something that should be a little more cherished. Even on my worst day, I try to win."
An emotional Peirsol accepted his gold medal from former Longhorn swimmer Adolph Kiefer, the gold medalist in the 100m backstroke at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
The second evening of finals at the USA Swimming National Championships saw a pair of current Longhorns and Beijing Olympians punch their tickets to Rome, Italy to join Peirsol at the FINA World Championships. UT rising seniors Dave Walters placed second and fourth, respectively, in the 200-meter freestyle and will head to Rome as members of Team USA.
By taking second in 1:44.95, behind only Michael Phelps, Walters nailed down an individual berth to represent the USA in the 200m freestyle in Rome. Berens' fourth-place effort of 1:45.73 landed him a spot on the Team USA roster given that the top-six finishers were guaranteed spots on the team.
Berens and Walters represented the USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won gold as members of the 800-meter freestyle relay. Berens and Walters competed in the preliminary round in Beijing, and Berens joined Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps and Peter Vanderkaay to set a new world record in the finals.
Thursday's preliminary round gets underway at 8 a.m. Central, and the finals are set for 5 p.m. Central. Live video from the finals session will be available at UniversalSports.com.
2009 USA Swimming National Championships - Day 2 Finals (current, former and future Longhorns)
200m Freestyle
2. Dave Walters - 1:44.95
4. Ricky Berens - 1:45.73
200m Freestyle ("B" Final)
3. Michael Klueh - 1:48.23
5. Peter Jameson - 1:50.24
8. Scott Jostes - 1:51.96
200m Freestyle ("C" Final)
2. Bryan Collins - 1:50.41
100m Backstroke
1 Aaron Peirsol - 51.94 (broke previous world record of 52.38)
100m Backstroke ("C" Final)
3. Austin Surhoff - 56.27
4. Hill Taylor - 56.38
5. Alan Maher - 56.47
7. Cole Cragin - 57.04
200m Butterfly
7. Neil Caskey - 2:02.10
PRELIMINARY ROUND RESULTS (current, former and future Longhorns)
Men's 200m Freestyle
3. Dave Walters - 1:46.46
T5. Ricky Berens - 1:46.59
10. Michael Klueh - 1:48.33
15. Peter Jameson - 1:49.62
19. Scott Jostes - 1:50.34
21. Bryan Collins - 1:50.55
25. Garrett Weber-Gale - 1:51.42
32. Jim Robertson - 1:51.87
39. Ryan Verlatti - 1:52.21
49. Jackson Wilcox - 1:53.01
53. Nick D'Innocenzo - 1:53.59
56. Ben Van Roekel - 1:54.10
Men's 100m Backstroke
1 Aaron Peirsol - 53.28
19. Alan Maher - 56.47
20. Austin Surhoff - 56.63
23. Hill Taylor - 56.87
25. Cole Cragin - 57.07
Men's 200m Butterfly
16. Neil Caskey - 2:02.06
33. Matt Donch - 2:06.30
