Connor Jaeger moved one step closer to possibly picking up his first Olympic medal in his second and final opportunity at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jaeger, a former University of Michigan All-American swimmer competing for Team USA, qualified for Saturday's final of the 1,500-meter freestyle by taking second in Friday's heats. Jaeger touched the wall in 14:45.74 to finish right behind Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri (14:44.51). The final is scheduled for 9:11 p.m. on Saturday.
China's Sun Yang, the defending Olympic champion in the 1,500 freestyle, failed to qualify for the final after finishing in 15:01.97.
Jaeger, a New Jersey native, was a 10-time All-American while competing at Michigan from 2011-14 and placed sixth in the 1,500 freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics.