Krayzelburg Has Edge in Backstroke

They’ve raced each other in backstroke events all over Southern California this year, and each time Lenny Krayzelburg has emerged ahead of Aaron Piersol.

It happened again Sunday in the 2000 Swim Meet of Champions at Marguerite Aquatics Complex in Mission Viejo when Krayzelburg (55.04 seconds) defeated Piersol (56.14) in the 100 meter backstroke.

This time, though, Piersol exacted a measure of revenge as lead swimmer on the Irvine Novaquatics’ 400 individual medley relay team (3:47.89) that set a meet record while outpacing Krayzelburg’s second-place Trojan Swim Club, which finished in 3:51.40.

A former USC swimmer and a favorite in the Sydney Games this fall, Krayzelburg, 27, has finished ahead of Newport High sophomore Piersol in backstroke events four times this year.

“Rivalry? It’s not really a rivalry,” Piersol, 16, said. “Lenny and I bring out the best in each other when we’re in the water. For me, it’s because he’s such a great swimmer, and a nice guy who’s got a really great attitude.”

Added Krayzelburg: “He is swimming so well that I think he’s confident he can beat me. That’s what keeps me working hard.”

Boston native Erik Vendt, who swims for USC, won the men’s 1,500 meters (15.29.17) for the only other win by an U.S. swimmer Sunday. Vendt finished four seconds ahead of runner-up Yota Arase.

“We’re still in training and aren’t set to go as fast as the Japanese swimmers,” Vendt said. “But you don’t want to get used to not winning.”

Olympic team members already slated to compete in Sydney composed the Japanese squad, which won nine of 12 races Sunday. Most impressive was Sachiko Yamada’s victory in the 1,500 meters in 16:18.95, destroying her country’s record for that event by 20 seconds.

“We have practiced with the Mission Viejo swim team for almost two weeks and that has helped our swimmers improve immensely,” Japan Coach Koji Ueno said.