Swimmer Peirsol Picks Texas

Olympic silver medalist Aaron Peirsol, a swimmer at Newport Beach Newport Harbor High, has committed to Texas, his father, Tim Hartig, said Friday.

Peirsol, who won silver in the 200-meter backstroke as a 17-year-old at the 2000 Olympics, chose the Longhorns over Stanford, Michigan, California and Arizona.

Texas has won seven of the last 14 NCAA team titles, including the last two, under Coach Eddie Reese. Hartig said Reese’s success and coaching style was a big factor in Peirsol’s decision. “Eddie Reese has a John Wooden-type personality,” Hartig said.