Peirsol, Pitts Selected State Athletes of Year

Swimming world-record holder Aaron Peirsol of Newport Harbor High and three-sport standout Julie Pitts of North Torrance have been chosen the boys’ and girls’ athletes of the year in the state by CalHi Sports.

Peirsol, who swam in the 2000 Olympic Games, set a short-course world record in the 200 backstroke this spring, helped set a world record in the 400-meter medley relay and led Newport Harbor to the Southern Section Division I title with two individual titles and two relay victories.

Pitts was all-league in volleyball, all-section in basketball when she averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds a game and placed among the top five finishers in three events at the state track meet--second in the 300 hurdles, third in the high jump and fifth in the 400.