PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer
AP Online
07-13-2004
Dateline: LONG BEACH, Calif.
Aaron Peirsol dives in for the Men's 200 Meter Backstroke semis at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in Long Beach, Calif., Sunday, July 11, 2004. Peirsol finished with time of 1:55.33. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Aaron Peirsol sent a clear message to the world's greatest swimmer Monday, setting a world record in the 200-meter backstroke and handing Michael Phelps his first loss of the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.
Both swimmers were under record pace for the first three laps, but Peirsol led all the way and pulled away on the final leg for a time of 1 minutes, 54.74 seconds _ breaking his own mark of 1:55.15 set two ...