Missy Franklin's name has always been on the national scene. But other Colorado swimmers are also in the discussion when it comes to the upcoming Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.
Photo by Ray Chen
Todd Schmitz could only shake his head and sigh in wonder about the profound, wide-ranging representation the state of Colorado will enjoy at the upcoming U.S. Olympic Swim trials.
Four years ago, it wasn't like this. Not even close.
As the head coach of the Colorado Stars swim club, Schmitz was fortunate enough to watch just one of his swimmers qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials. That lone entrant from the Stars was a then-13-year old phenom named
Missy Franklin.
For those who have somehow avoided the substantial buzz, Franklin is back. Yet when the Olympic Trials begin on June 25 in Omaha, Neb., Franklin not only will have plenty of company in the form of current and former Colorado Stars teammates, but the standout from
Regis Jesuit (Aurora) will be joined by dozens of her contemporaries from across the state.
Bonnie Brandon, Cherry Creek
Photo by Ray Chen
"In 2008 we had just one (qualifier), and that was Missy. This year we have five," Schmitz said. "Obviously that's great for the Colorado Stars, but we're seeing that kind of jump across the board. I think the best microcosm of what Colorado has become is that Missy and
Bonnie Brandon train every day at pools that are less than one mile from each other, and both have a legitimate shot at finishing in the top eight in the 200 backstroke. That's unbelievable."
Franklin, the world-record holder in the 200 backstroke, and Brandon, the recent graduate of
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) and owner of seven individual Colorado state titles who will continue her career at Arizona, highlight a U.S. Olympic Trials field that will boast a distinct Centennial State flavor.
Brandon is perhaps the marquee athlete among a group of swimmers representing Cherry Creek. Two of Franklin's former Colorado Stars teammates — Christine Wixted (Duke) and Jordan Mattern (Georgia) — are Cherry Creek alums. And current Bruins standout
Daryl Turner, who set the Colorado high school record in the 100 backstroke at the Class 5A state meet and nearly broke his own record en route to the state title in the 100 freestyle, will compete in the 100 freestyle.
"It's so exciting that words can't really describe it," Turner said. "I'm really looking forward to racing in such an incredible pool in a huge stadium. Overcoming nerves is always a challenge. I always try to not get too nervous, but I know the nerves will be racing and I'm already trying to figure out how to cope with that, like coming up with songs for my iPod that calm me down.
"The day after state, I was in the pool training hard. I'm feeling strong in the pool right now and I'm looking forward to giving this my best shot."
In addition to Turner, the list of current Colorado prepsters (or fresh graduates) making the trip to Omaha in the men's field includes the Regis Jesuit tandem of Hennessey Stuart and Clark Smith; Class 5A 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle state champ Griffin Carter from the
Ponderosa (Parker) swim team; 100 breaststroke state record-holder
Nick Hatanaka of
Loveland; and reigning 200 individual medley 5A champion
Nolan Tesone of
Pomona (Arvada).
Franklin and Brandon hardly will be the only Coloradans in the women's field. That group includes reigning 5A 100 breaststroke champ
Michelle Patton, recently graduated from
Heritage (Littleton); Liberty-bound swimmer
Laura Day from
Lewis-Palmer (Monument); the
Boulder tandem of
Haley Rowley-Wiest and
Amanda Richey;
Fairview (Boulder) star
Abigail Houck; and
Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) standout
Bailey Nero.
"The thing I'm probably most excited about is seeing where I might be at for 2016," said Day, who will compete in the 100 breaststroke. "I was just at the Mutual of Omaha meet, and that had the best breaststrokers in the nation. It was very different from state. It was very different from a grand prix meet. I was finally competing with the fastest people. During high school (season) I was pretty much focused on high school, but I was in the water right after that getting ready for this."
Of course, the eyes of the entire state, if not the entire country, will be on Franklin. Already a media darling on the national and even international level, Franklin finally will tackle the meet she has been eying for years. In typical Franklin fashion, Schmitz reports that the pressure is sliding off Franklin as easily as she slices through the water.
"I think one thing that has benefited Missy is that we have kept the schedule the same," Schmitz said. "She trained at the same time every day. She went to school every day. There is a lot to be said for that. Here she is right before Memorial Day, and the thing she was feeling pressure about was passing her AP chemistry final. I think keeping her mind off (the Olympic Trials) like that will prove to be a huge benefit."
