Swimming: Peirsol takes a break

CLOVIS - Newport Harbor High senior and Olympic silver medalist

Aaron Peirsol helped the Irvine Novaquatics finish third place in the

400-meter freestyle relay (3:25.36) in the Phillips 66 National

Championships in Clovis Friday.

Peirsol, who won the World Championship title and set a meet record

(1:57.13) in the 200 backstroke July 27, chose not to swim in the

backstroke races at the Nationals.

In the women's 100 back, Newport Harbor's Nicole Mackey, who also swam

in the 400 free relay, finished 43rd (1:06.94). Hayley Peirsol, also of

the Sailors, came in 33rd in the 400 free (4:22.47).

Ryan Lean, a Newport Harbor senior, finished 22nd in the 400 free

(4:00.79).