Swimming: Pan Pacifics, Day 1 update

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Swimming supremacy, American style, did not exactly benefit Aaron Peirsol and Mary DeScenza Mohler on Wednesday in the morning heats at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine.

Peirsol and Mohler appeared to be victims of the meet’s format, in which just two swimmers from a country can move on to the finals at night. Time, for once, wasn’t the determining factor.

But Peirsol, who was the third-fastest American in the 100-meter backstroke behind David Plummer and Ryan Lochte, ended up getting a second chance when Lochte decided to scratch for the night final, opting to concentrate on the 200 freestyle.

Mohler, however, didn’t get such a reprieve. She was the third-fastest American in the 200 butterfly, behind teammates Teresa Crippen and Kathleen Hersey.

The affable Mohler was reflective in the mixed zone afterward, contemplating her future in the sport. Talk turned to balancing swimming and starting a family, and Mohler sounded as though those discussions would be taking place shortly with her husband, Charlie. They have been living in Okinawa, Japan, where he has been based with the Marines, though he is set to deploy shortly.

One reporter reminded Mohler that Amanda Beard was handling the balancing act quite nicely, dealing with motherhood and swimming.

‘I’m sure having a baby is a lot harder than doing a 200 fly,’ Mohler said, smiling.

She spoke about the decision-making process and joked, ‘It’s not a dictatorship.’

No matter what happens with her future, she said she will not have any regrets.

Short-term will be the chance to see her husband after seven weeks apart. ‘I feel like I’ve been deployed,’ Mohler said.

-- Lisa Dillman