Thursday morning Olympic swimming update from London

I wrote my column today on the eight N.C. swimmers -- six of whom have already won either a gold or silver medal.

This morning in London, Cullen Jones advanced as expected from the first round of the preliminarie into the semifinals (top 16). Jones had the sixth-fastest time in the prelim. Tonight in London he will swim again and need to finish among the top eight times to make Friday night's final.

Two of Jones' key competitors: Brazil's Cesar Cielo, who is likely the favorite, and U.S. teammate Anthony Ervin. Jones edged Ervin in the Olympic Trials, but Ervin has looked great in the U.S. team practices and had a better time than Jones in the prelims.

In tonight's finals, SwimMAC's Micah Lawrence has a shot at a medal in the 200 breaststroke, although she's likely swimming for silver or bronze at best. U.S. teammate Rebecca Soni set a world record in the event in the semifinals.