Thompson lowers own American record

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jenny Thompson lowered her own eight-year-old American record in the 100-meter freestyle by 0.21 seconds Friday night in the Janet Evans Invitational.

Aaron Peirsol, a 16-year-old from nearby Irvine, upset world record-holder Lenny Krayzelburg to win the 200 backstroke. It was Krayzelburg's first loss in his signature event in more than two years.

In a final previewing next month's Olympic trials, Thompson won in 54.27 seconds, bettering the mark of 54.48 she set in the 1992 Olympic trials.

''I think you'll see more good swims from me,'' she said. ''It makes me feel really confident and positive about the next four weeks.''

Peirsol, who become the youngest man in history to break two minutes last year, won in 1:59.01. Krayzelburg was overtaken in the final 12 meters swimming in his home pool and finished second in 1:59.34. Brad Bridgewater, the '96 Olympic champion, was sixth.

''I saw Aaron reel me in and I couldn't do anything. My arms were so tired,'' Krayzelburg said. ''Sometimes you can have a bad race. I'm not really that concerned. I know once I start resting, I'll feel stronger.''

In the 100 free, Dara Torres also swam under Thompson's previous record, finishing second in 54.47 after leading at the 25-meter mark.

''My initial reaction was I was bummed I lost, but it was my best time by a half-second,'' she said. ''I tried to go out fast and sort of try to hang on for dear life.''

Torres, 33, is attempting to become the first American to swim in four Olympics after a seven-year retirement that ended last year.

''I haven't rested yet, so I know it's going to go better,'' she said. ''Those were really awesome times.''

Amy Van Dyken, a four-time gold medalist in the Atlanta Olympics, was third in 55.76 as she attempts a comeback from shoulder surgeries.

Peirsol and Krayzelburg have raced three times this summer, but it was Peirsol's first win ever over his rival and the teen-ager's second victory in a major meet in the last three years.

''It's a surprise. I wasn't coming in here with any high expectations,'' Peirsol said. ''He didn't have one of his good races. This will push us even harder at trials.''

Krayzelburg labeled Peirsol as one of the favorites in Sydney. The top two finishers in the trials, to be held Aug. 9-16 in Indianapolis, earn Olympic berths.

''He's definitely for real,'' Krayzelburg said. ''When Aaron touched the wall, he had this look on his face like I'm sorry I beat you.''

Tom Malchow of Ann Arbor, Mich., won the 200 butterfly in 1:55.84 -- 0.66 seconds off the world record he set in May.

B.J. Bedford of Colorado Springs, Colo., won the 200 backstroke in 2:14.28. Bedford, 27, is aiming for a berth on her first Olympic team after medaling in every other major meet.

Kelly Stefanyshyn of Canada was second and '96 Olympic champion Beth Botsford of Tucson, Ariz., was third with identical times of 2:15.88.

In other events, Gustavo Borges of Brazil won the 100 free in 50 seconds, tying the meet record; Misty Hyman of Phoenix won the 200 butterfly in 2:09.68; Claudia Poll, a former Olympian from Costa Rica, won the 400 free in 4:09.04; and Klete Keller of Phoenix won the 400 free in 3:53.28.

The meet continues through Sunday on the Southern California campus.