9:19 AM Fri, Jul 04, 2008 | Permalink |
6:15pm Update
It looks like Emily Silver of Bainbridge Island is in, although we are not absolutely sure. Silver finished fifth in the 100m freestyle final. The top four are guaranteed spots on the 4x100m relay team. The fifth and sixth place finishers get to go, depending on how many other swimmers have qualified in other events. The US can only bring a total of 26 women swimmers. But, after the race, the NBC announcers said "essentially, the top six have made it to Beijing". So, it seems like Silver is on her way.
The big story out of the 100m final, though, is the woman who won it. At the age of 41, Dara Torres is going to her fifth Olympics. Torres beat Natalie Coughlin in a time of 53.78.
5:40pm Update
Margaret Hoelzer of King Aquatic is into the final of the 200m backstroke. Hoelzer finished second in her semifinal heat, third overall in the semis. Hoelzer is the current world champion at that distance and needs a top two finish in tomorrow's final to make the Olympics in the 200.
5:15pm Update
Nathan Adrian of Bremerton has advanced to the finals of the 50m freestyle. Adrian posted a time of 22.03, making him the 7th fastest qualifier for the final. He'll need to go below 22.00, likely a good bit below, in order to make the top two and earn a spot in the 50 in Beijing.
Megan Jendrick and Ariana Kukors finished fifth and sixth in the 200m breaststroke final. That event was won by Rebecca Soni, earning her first trip to the Olympics. Amanda Beard finished second, putting her in the games for the fourth time.
Margaret Hoelzer, who's already made it at 100 meters, is trying for a second spot in the 200m backstroke. Hoelzer was the third fastest qualifier in the heats this morning. The semifinals are tonight and the final is tomorrow.
Bainbridge Island's Emily Silver swims in the 100m freestyle final later tonight. A top four finish will lock up a spot on the relay team. A top six may actually get it done.
9:20am Update
Nathan Adrian, who's already punched his ticket to Beijing in the 4x100 freestyle relay, easily advanced to the semifinals of the 50m free this morning. The 50 - just one length of the pool - is Adrian's specialty. He swam a 22.05 in his heat this morning. That was good for the fourth fastest qualifying time. Three swimmers broke 22.0 in the heats this morning - Cullen Jones (21.59), Ben Wildman-Tobriner (21.68), and Gary Hall (21.89). Jones swam in the same heat as Adrian and his time was a new American record. The semis are tonight and the final is tomorrow. The top two in the final will make the starting field for the 50 in Beijing.
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