OMAHA, Neb. — First-time Olympian Emily Silver needs surgery after breaking her right hand when she ran into the wall at the finish of the 50-meter freestyle during the U.S. trials.

The 22-year-old from Bainbridge Island, Wash., was hurt in Saturday night's semifinals, but the injury wasn't revealed until Sunday by Mark Schubert, head coach and general manager of the U.S. team.

"She was really scared right away," he said. "She got out and said, 'I think I broke my hand again.'"

Silver, who swims at California, has twice broken the same hand — once in practice and once in another meet, Schubert said.

Silver finished 12th and didn't advance to Sunday night's final. She had already earned a spot on the team in the 400 freestyle relay by finishing fifth in the 100 free.

She likely will have surgery Monday, and could be out of the water for up to 10 days, Schubert said.

"I'm confident she'll be able to compete in Beijing and do well," he said.

If Silver is unable to recover in time for next month's Olympics, 2004 Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce would replace her on the roster as the seventh-place finisher in the 100 free.