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Swimming: Neuqua Valley's Cordes closing in on 200 breaststroke world record

OMAHA, Neb. - Kevin Cordes is putting on quite a breaststroke show at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Cordes made a run at the world record before settling for a time of 2 minutes, 7.81 seconds in the semifinals of the 200 meters Wednesday night.

The product of Neuqua Valley High School will be the top qualifier in Thursday's final, looking to add another individual event to his Rio itinerary. He already won the 100 breast to clinch his first trip to the Olympics.

Cordes was under world-record pace at the last turn, but eased up to save some energy for the final. He'll likely make a run at the mark of 2:07.01, which has been held since 2012 by Japan's Akhiro Yamaguchi. Willowbrook High School grad Nick Zito placed 13th in the semis.

Michael Phelps, meanwhile, is heading to his fifth Games.

The most decorated athlete in Olympic history held off a stiff challenge from Tom Shields to win the 200 butterfly in 1:54.84.

After whipping around to look at his time - which was likely a bit slower than Phelps would've preferred - he held up all five fingers on his right hand to signify Olympics No. 5.

Shields came on strong to take the second spot on the Olympic team in 1:55.81.

Phelps still has two more events at the trials: the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. He could swim as many as six events in Rio, counting relays, looking to build on his 18 golds and 22 medals overall.

Maya DiRado qualified for a second individual event at the Rio Olympics by winning the 200 individual medley in 2:09.54. The Stanford graduate also made the team in the 400 IM. Grabbing the second spot for Rio was Melanie Margalis, who touched in 2:10.11.

Cammile Adams had the top qualifying time to the 200-meter butterfly final, finishing in 2:07.31. Earlier in the day, her disqualification in the preliminaries was overturned by officials after a video review showed that she was on her stomach and not her back as she came off the race's last turn.

In the men's 100 free semifinal, Nathan Adrian had the top time, 47.91. Also qualifying to Thursday's final were Springfield's Ryan Held, who was second in 48.48, and Loyola Academy product Conor Dwyer, eighth in 49.18.

Missing out on a chance to advance to Rio in the event was Matt Grevers, who finished 15th in 49.69.

In the women's 200 free, Katie Ledecky won in 1:54.88, and Missy Franklin took the second qualifying spot in 1:56.18. Ledecky had earlier won the 400 free, while Franklin earned her first event for Rio.

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