We're halfway through the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials so it's a good time to look back at where we've been and what we can learn from the events of the first half of Eugene 2012.

Ashton Eaton isn't just the future of the decathlon, he's the present.

Most experts considered Ashton Eaton to be the future of the decathlon, given a number of obstacles he'd face for gold in London. Trey Hardee dominated the event with two straight world titles while Eaton still had progress to make in the throwing events to become a truly complete decathlete. Eaton managed to put all the pieces together on the first two days of the Trials to score 9039 points and beat Roman Sebrle's world record of 9026 points.

Eaton's Eugene performance puts a tremendous amount of pressure on him for London. The spectacular nature in which he shattered PR after PR would make anything but gold and another world record almost seem like a letdown. Regardless, Eaton is just 24 years old so look for some great things to come for him.

Make the final and anything can happen.

Lolo Jones wasn't looking so hot on the track prior to the Olympic Trials, coming into Eugene as just the ninth-quickest American woman in 2012. Her first round wasn't great either as she earned the third and final automatic qualifying spot out of her heat. She looked a little better to finish second in her semifinal but once she got in the final, Lolo put thr entire race together to finish third behind Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells.

Bryshon Nellum had a rough NCAA Championships in which he failed to even qualify for the final. Given his performance in Des Moines, not much was expected of Nellum at the Trials but he navigated his way through the 400 meter heats and found himself in lane seven in the final. Nellum came off the turn well off the pace in sixth place but rallied to nip teammate Josh Mance at the line to complete his improbably journey to the Olympics.

Ryan Bailey and Jeneba Tarmoh were both the second-to-last qualifiers into the final. Running out of lane one wasn't a problem for either athlete as both finished third and will be heading to London (maybe not in Tarmoh's case).

Ties are meant to be broken - just not for the final Olympic team squad.

Ever wonder what happens when two people tie for the third and final Olympic spot? After the Allyson Felix-Tarmoh dead heat fiasco, we now know. The only this is, we won't find out who's headed to London until after the 200 meters since Bobby Kersee wants both athletes to focus on that event before any potential run-off. Until then, we're forced to wait in suspense to see how the 200 meters plays out.

Rain isn't a big factor.

Some fans have complained about the incessant rain during the first half of the Trials, but so far no athletes have seemed to be majorly affected by the wet track. Even if some athletes have been coy about their discomfort in the rain, the U.S. has selected a team of individuals who've shownt they can perform in rainy conditions. That could be important come London where it very well could be rainy.

The Wild Duck is the place to be.

Want to have a good time after the meet? Head on over to the Wild Duck just a few blocks away from Hayward Field. Shoe company-sponsored nights mean gear giveaways and drink specials. Plus there's the chance you could run into an Olympian or two celebrating their achievements.