US Olympic Swimming Trials 2012: Breaking Down Friday's Must-See Events

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials are set to continue on Friday from Omaha, Nebraska, where the best American swimmers will look to cement their spot on the Team USA roster heading to the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer.

The evening session in Omaha promises to excite with three finals, including the men's 100-meter freestyle final, which features two experienced Olympic hopefuls in Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak. Lezak owns the U.S. record in the event, finishing in a time of 47.58 seconds back in July 2008. 

Meanwhile, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will be competing in the men's 200-meter individual medley. Both should win their respective heats and face off in the evening's semifinals. 

On the women's side, American mainstay Natalie Coughlin will also be under the microscope, competing in the women's 100-meter freestyle semifinals. 

Day 5's action from Omaha promises to thrill as the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials take center stage with just a handful of events left to be decided. 

Here we get you set for everything you need to know heading into Friday evening's must-see events. 

Men's 200-Meter Breaststroke Final

What: Men's 200-Meter Breaststroke Final

When: 8:00 PM ET

Watch: NBC 

Thirty-year-old U.S. Olympic veteran Brendan Hansen will look to surpass the field Friday night in the men's 200-meter breaststroke final. Hansen is the oldest swimmer in Friday's final, but posted one of the fastest qualifying times, finishing in 2:10.45.

Hansen will face stiff competition in Clark Burckle and Eric Shanteau, who both qualified slightly faster than Hansen, who specializes in the breaststroke. Hansen won silver and bronze respectively in the men's 100- and 200-meter breaststroke at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games.

Hansen missed out on a medal in 2008 in Beijing, placing fourth in the men's 100-meter breaststroke. Certainly Hansen's shortcomings four years back in China will inspire him to bring home the win in Omaha on Friday evening. 

Men's 200-Meter Individual Medley Semifinals

What: Men's 200-Meter Individual Medley Semifinals

When: 8:00 PM ET

Watch: NBC 

U.S. Olympic teammates and rivals Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte have been the class of American swimming on the men's side as of late, and that will surely continue at the 2012 London Games this summer.

Phelps and Lochte both posted incredible qualifying times in the men's 200-meter individual medley, Lochte finishing with a time of one minute, 54 seconds and Phelps posting a time of 1:54.16. Both swimmers are expected to run away with their heats on Friday and make their way to the evening's semifinal events.

Phelps won a record eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing, China four summers ago, and that's more than enough motivation for Lochte to send a strong message in Omaha on Friday night. 

In addition to the 200-meter individual medley, Lochte will be competing in Friday's men's 200-meter backstroke semifinal. Lochte won his heat, finishing with the fastest time of one minute, 57.24. But with Phelps not competing in the backstroke, there should be little drama in the event.

Women's 100-Meter Freestyle Semifinals

What: Women's 100-Meter Freestyle Semifinals

When: 8:00 PM ET

Watch: NBC 

Natalie Coughlin headlines Friday evening's 100-meter freestyle events on the women's side, as the 29-year-old Olympic champion looks to book a spot in Saturday's 100-meter freestyle final.

Coughlin, the second-oldest athlete in the event at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, posted a qualifying time of 54.99 seconds, the fifth fastest of the eight competitors in her semifinal. Coughlin will have to pick it up on Friday though if she is to forge a spot in the final and have any shot at competing in the freestyle in London for Team USA.

Amanda Weir was one of the fastest qualifiers in the event, and will swim alongside Coughlin in Friday's semifinal. Weir holds the American record in the women's 100-meter freestyle, finishing in a time of 53.02 seconds in Rome back in July 2009. The 26-year-old specializes in freestyle and will likely finish towards the top.

Men's 100-Meter Freestyle Final

What: Men's 100-Meter Freestyle Final

When: 8:00 PM ET

Watch: NBC 

Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak headline what is sure to be a thrilling men's 100-meter freestyle final on Friday in Omaha. Both men have represented the U.S. well in the Olympic Games already, and are hoping to return to Team USA this summer in London.

Jones and Lezak had the two worst qualifying times of the eight competitors in Friday's final, posting times of 49.03 seconds and 49.05 respectively, but should be on top of their game for the Day 5 final.

Lezak actually owns the U.S. record in the men's 100-meter freestyle. He set it four years ago at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, finishing in a time of 47.58 seconds, just under seven-tenths of a second off the world record pace.

Both specialize in the freestyle, but Jones may have the advantage in Friday's final considering that he is eight years younger than the 36-year-old Olympic veteran, Lezak.