Missy Franklin returns to prep swimming

AURORA, Colo. - For Missy Franklin, Saturday wasn't about being an international swimming star or world records or the upcoming Olympics.

No, it simply was about being Missy Franklin, a 16-year-old junior at Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.), and getting the opportunity to compete again with her Raiders teammates.

The national star returned to prep competition against rival Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), and she couldn't have been happier. She wore a huge smile throughout the meet, animatedly cheered teammates and traded hugs with competitors after every event.

After the final team scores were announced – Regis held off a late Cherry Creek charge to win 163-152 – Franklin enthusiastically celebrated with her teammates in the center of the pool.



"The most important thing for swimming high school for me is keeping it fun. When you go to some of these big meets it can get really serious and the pressure can really get to you sometimes," Franklin said. "Here you can come have fun, just let everything go and get out and just swim and do what you love. That's so special."

The 6-foot-1 Franklin won two individual events Saturday – setting pool records in the process – and led her team to a relay win as the two best teams in Colorado staged a competitive dual at the Regis swim bubble before a capacity crowd.

Interest in the event, which included a throng of local TV cameras, required Regis to set up an overflow room in the school library where the meet was simulcast.

Franklin swam the first leg of the meet's first race in leading her team to victory in the 200-yard medley relay before setting pool records in the 200 freestyle (1 minute, 51 seconds) and the 100 backstroke (54.54). In her fourth event – the 400 freestyle relay – the Raiders finished second.
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From high school standout to international superstar

Much has changed for Franklin since she last competed in a high school event. That was last February when she paced the Raiders to the Class 5A state championship by setting state records in the 100 backstroke (52.3), the 50 freestyle (22.41) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:22.42) while also winning in the 200 medley relay.

That effort propelled Franklin, who in turn launched herself to international star status with a series of breakout performances. She won five medals – three gold – at the 2011 World Championships before setting two world records later in the year.

In October, Franklin broke the world mark in the 200-meter backstroke (short course) with a time of 2:00.03, and in December she swam the anchor leg on the 400-meter medley relay team that established the short course world record (3:45.56). The 4.0 student also owns the American record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course).



For those accomplishments, she was the selected the 2011 Female Swimmer of the Year by FINA, the sport's governing body.

Franklin seemed just as excited about the pool records she set Saturday.

"I love swimming in the (Regis) bubble," Franklin said. "I love being able to come out here and sort of make a mark on the pool and just know that I am part of the team and a part of Regis."

After competing against the best in the world, the obvious question is what Franklin gains by competing in the prep ranks. The answer isn't the quality of her opponents, but the competition itself - and the fun.

"I absolutely love to race," Franklin said. "I was thinking about it when I dove in for the relay. I love when I'm up on the blocks and everyone is just going totally crazy, and then as soon as you dive in it's just silence.

"I try to learn something from every single meet that I go to. Having a meet against Cherry Creek is so great because it's always so competitive and we have so much fun together."



Franklin will compete in the upcoming Continental League championships before helping Regis defend its state title next month. She was unsure yet in what events she will compete at state.

Then it will be on to sectionals in Washington in March before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha in late June. Franklin acknowledged the schedule can be challenging.

"Definitely, it definitely does (get to me), but I have the best support system in the entire world. My friends and my family are behind me 100 percent, no matter what I do," Franklin said. "Those days when I'm tired and exhausted, they always make me smile, always make me laugh. That's how I get through it – keep a good attitude and keep smiling."

She did both during a post-meet news conference. Composed beyond her years, Franklin impressively looked directly at each reporter when responding to their question. She couldn't have been more engaging or have seemed more genuine, especially when again talking about her teammates and her decision to swim for Regis this season.

"It was a really hard decision for me whether or not I was going to swim high school," Franklin said. "Junior year is super, super hard, and the academics alone are killing me. But on top of everything else, I knew even though there was going to be some really tough times it was all going to be worth it.

"I knew it was going to be hard (swimming high school) during an Olympic year, but after winning state last year, there was no way I couldn't do it."
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Bonnie Brandon also makes her mark



Not to be overlooked Saturday was the performance of Cherry Creek ace Bonnie Brandon. The University of Arizona recruit set a pool record in the 500 freestyle (4:56.93), won the 200 individual medley and was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay, as well as the 200 medley relay, which finished second.

Brandon's state accomplishments are as equally impressive, as she is the state record-holder in the 100 freestyle, the 200 IM and the 200 freestyle relay.

Many in attendance, no doubt, were hoping that Brandon and Franklin would be matched up head-to-head. Their last high school race at state was epic, with Franklin edging Brandon in the 50 freestyle (22.41 to 23.03).

"I'm not disappointed. I know that she is great, and, obviously, I know that it's going to be really hard to beat her, but I've raced her plenty of times outside of high school," said Brandon, who stopped during the interview to embrace Franklin as she walked by. "We're so close that it's not a big deal. We understand how each other swims, and it's a fun thing to watch each other."

Brandon also said she was uncertain in which events she would be competing at state. "We have to wait and see how everything works out after this meet, see where people fit in."

But she appreciated the elevated atmosphere of the event, fueled by the rivalry and the appearance by Franklin.



"I really enjoyed the cheering. It really showed the passion that both teams have for the sport and this rivalry," Brandon said. "I really think it was good that everybody was so into it. It was a fun atmosphere.

"State is always really hyped up, and this is going to make it even more so."

Regis Jesuit 163, Cherry Creek 152
200-yard medley relay: Regis Jesuit (Missy Franklin, Marielle Renehan, Sydney Cutler & Carla Meli), 1 minute, 49.88 seconds. 200 freestyle: Missy Franklin, RJ, 1:51.00 (pool record). 200 individual medley: Bonnie Brandon, CC, 2:06.74. 50 freestyle: Taylor Wilson, RJ, :25.71. Diving (6): Jacey Pisciotta, RJ, 223.40. 100 butterfly: Fiona Kane, CC, :58.64. 100 freestyle: Elaine Powell, CC, :53.98. 500 freestyle: Bonnie Brandon, CC, 4:56.93 (pool record). 200 freestyle relay: CC (Elaine Powell, Fiona Kane, Lea Koob & Alex Bae), 1:41.83. 100 backstroke: Missy Franklin, RJ, :54.54 (pool record). 100 breaststroke: Marielle Renehan, RJ, 1:09.98. 400 freestyle relay: CC (Bonnie Brandon, Elaine Powell, Fiona Kane & Emma Cunningham), 3:39.72.