Former NC State swimmer Cullen Jones is one step closer to representing the United States in the 2008 Olympics after qualifying for the 100-meter freestyle finals with the fourth-best time in the semifinals.
Eearlier in the day Jones posted a personal-best time of 48.74 and topped that mark with a 48.71 in the semifinals.
The eight swimmers with the best times advanced to Thursday's finals, and the top six in the finals will make the Olympic team. The finals will be held at 6:45 p.m. CST.
Following the 100-meter freestyle finals, Jones will return to the pool on Friday where he'll swim in the 50-meter freestyle prelims at 11 a.m. CST. Should he advance, Jones would compete in the semifinals later that evening at 7 p.m. CST. The 50-meter freestyle is considered his best event.
The U.S. Olympic swimming trials are broadcasted on NBC. Morning prelims will be streamed live on NBCOlympics.com starting at 12p ET. Finals will be broadcast nightly on NBC or USA, as well as streamed live on NBCOlympics.com.