Brunelli wins 50-meter freestyle on Evans Invitational third day

LOS ANGELES – Nick Brunelli dominated in winning the 50-meter freestyle in the third day of the Janet Evans Invitational on Saturday.

Brunelli, who flew in from Arizona solely for the 50 freestyle, won in 22.64 seconds, beating second-place Simon Burnett by more than half a second.

Brunelli will now move on to the FINA World Championship later this month in Montreal, where he’ll compete in the same event he won Saturday — against stiffer competition. The Arizona State alum ranks fourth in the world in the event.

Hayley Peirsol won her third event of the tournament Saturday in taking the 400 individual medley in 4:48.50, edging out Katie Carroll, who clocked a 4:48.67.

A day earlier, Peirsol breezed to victory in the 400 freestyle and won the 800 freestyle Thursday, the first night of competition.

Peirsol was trailing Carroll until the last 25 meters.

“Sometimes it’s better to be chasing than to be chased,” said Peirsol, the only swimmer with three wins at the invitational.

University of California senior Lauren Medina won the 200 freestyle in 2:01.96.

She edged college teammate and close friend Ashley Chandler who had a 2:02.10.