Second Is Good Enough for Him

Trading places never looked so good and never felt so gratifying.

There was a time second place in any race would have greatly annoyed, even angered Lenny Krayzelburg. On Friday, it had Krayzelburg yelling and throwing an arm in the air, announcing to winner Aaron Peirsol that he had Southern California company on the Olympic team in the 100-meter backstroke.

It was a shout and a twist on their 2000 Olympic finish in the 200 backstroke. Krayzelburg won that day in Sydney, and Peirsol was the kid, taking the silver medal. Two shoulder surgeries later, Krayzelburg, of the Irvine Novaquatics, was the 28-year-old outsider, taking on the role of sentimental favorite at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in downtown Long Beach.

Sentimentality morphed into another set of emotions in the crowd of 9,411 at the temporary aquatic complex when Krayzelburg touched the wall. The world champion Peirsol won in 53.64 seconds, with Krayzelburg second at 54.06, and Peter Marshall finishing third in 54.10.

Peirsol called the collection of talent in the 100 backstroke “spectacular.”

“I turned around and looked at who got first, saw it was me, which was pretty sweet,” said Peirsol, 20, who grew up in Orange County and just turned pro after two years at Texas.

“I couldn’t see who had finished second. I was waiting to hear. I heard Lenny yelling. I cracked up because I was so elated for him.”

The other winners on the third day of the trials were Natalie Coughlin in the 100 backstroke (59.85), Michael Phelps in the 200 freestyle (1:46.27) and Amanda Beard in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.64). It will be the first Olympic team for Coughlin and third for Beard, who grew up in Irvine. Phelps won his second individual race, beating Klete Keller, who had a time of 1:46.87.

Keller said that he thought the Americans would beat the Australians in the 800 free relay, saying: “We’re looking for a clean sweep in all of the relays.”

Amid all the accomplishments, the night belonged to Krayzelburg, almost the same way Thursday was the day to celebrate Jenny Thompson, who all but made her fourth Olympic team.

Krayzelburg was almost like the unofficial mayor of Long Beach, accepting hugs and pats on the back from his colleagues and coaches on the pool deck. Peirsol gave him the thumbs-up sign after they finished.

Phelps, who won his second individual race despite a slow start off the blocks, called Krayzelburg’s performance “huge.”

Said Krayzelburg: “I kind of had to hold back my emotions after this one. Even though maybe, four years ago, things came a lot easier for me.... I dominated. This time around was a lot tougher. I had to hold back quite a bit of emotion. It was a long journey.”

Goodwill was coming from the East Coast too. One of Krayzelburg’s longtime friends from his management agency, Octagon, was giving play-by-play to multiple Olympic gold medalist Tom Dolan, who nervously listened from a nightspot in Washington.

Krayzelburg’s coach Dave Salo, who used to be Peirsol’s coach, was hoping the experience and championship mettle of his three Olympic gold medals from 2000 would kick in during the final 10 meters.

“I did a lot of praying the last 10 meters,” Salo said. “I was just hoping all the experience over the last nine, 10 years of his career would come through and it did.”

Salo was asked about the difference between the swimmers since he coached both.

“Aaron’s 20 and Lenny’s 28,” he said.

Peirsol seemed as though he was the only one not counting Krayzelburg out after the prelims and semifinals Thursday. After all, Krayzelburg is the defending Olympic champion in the 100 backstroke.

“I think anyone whoever swam against Lenny ever, never counted Lenny out,” Peirsol said. “That’s just because they know.”

Salo did have to make one major pre-race suggestion. He had to tell his swimmer to lose his old-school gear.

“When we left the pool, I said, ‘You can’t do that. You’re swimming against guys that aren’t 55- [second] backstrokers.... You’re going to have to put on the cap and the high-tech suit and race these guys on an even battlefield,” Salo said.

The pre-race nerves vanished from Krayzelburg even though this was considered one of the best collections of backstrokers in one race. Jeff Rouse, 34, who won the gold medal in 1996, finished sixth in 55.01.

“I was more nervous during the day today than I was at the start,” Krayzelburg said. “I was pretty calm. I saw all the guys jumping around. You know, being a bit anxious. I’ve been here before. Maybe it’s the calmness that maybe separates people.

“I really had nothing to lose, even though maybe a spot on the Olympic team was on the line. Again, I’ve accomplished everything in this sport. Maybe that’s part of the reason that calmed me down before the race.”

The array of talent was nearly as impressive in the women’s 100 breaststroke. Beard beat Tara Kirk, who went 1:07.69. Kirk said her coach called it an ugly race, and Beard and her coach, Frank Busch, agreed.

Standing in the way of Beard and another win tonight in the 200 individual medley could be a 15-year-old, Katie Hoff. Beard has the top qualifying time after the semifinals and Hoff is second-fastest. Beard, of course, made her first Olympic team at 14.

“A lot of people have come up and said, ‘We’re having a deja vu with you and Katie,’ ” Beard said, laughing. “She’s an amazing racer. I don’t mind being compared to someone like that.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Friday’s Swimming Finals

Winners qualify for Olympics. Second-place finishers are expected to be named to the team.

*--* MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE 1. Michael Phelps, 1 minute, 46.27 1. Aaron Peirsol, 53.64 seconds 2. Klete Keller, 1:46.87 2. Lenny Krayzelburg, 54.06 WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE 1. Natalie Coughlin, 59.85 1. Amanda Beard, 1:07.64 2. Haley Cope, 1:01.24 2. Tara Kirk, 1:07.69

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Today’s Finals

Events for which finals will take place today, at the aquatic complex next to the Long Beach Arena:

* Women’s 200-meter freestyle

* Men’s 200-meter butterfly

* Women’s 200-meter individual medley

Complete schedule, D5