Coughlin to swim on 4x100 free relay

Published Jul. 28, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Natalie Coughlin is leading off in the preliminaries of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, giving her a chance to join Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the most decorated U.S. female Olympian.

Coughlin has 11 medals in her career but failed to qualify for any individual events. She made the American team by finishing sixth in the 100 free at the Olympic trials, becoming eligible for the relay.

Even if Coughlin isn't selected to swim the final, she would still get a medal if the U.S. finishes in the top three Saturday night. The other members of the prelim team are Lia Neal, Amanda Weir and Allison Schmitt.

Torres and Thompson both won 12 career medals.