Missy Franklin returns to prep swimming

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."