World News
Swimmer says having 'world's best' friends, family keeps her grounded
Published: August 3, 2012
DENVER (CNS) -- For swimmer Missy Franklin, a rising senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, "there is nothing like wearing a cap with my country's flag on it. I always remember, though, that I'm not just representing the U.S. but also my family, friends, team, school and Colorado!" She made those comments early this year in a Q-and-A interview with the Denver Catholic Register, newspaper of the Denver Archdiocese. That was before she earned a spot on the U.S. women's Olympic swimming team, before she was a gold medalist. Ranked first in the world in the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke, first in the country in the 100 freestyle, and second in the 100 backstroke, she was at that point still some months away from the Olympic swim trials in Omaha, Neb. She had just set a record-breaking performance at the girls' 5A Colorado championship swim meet in Fort Collins. It would be an understatement to say a lot has happened to the 6-foot-1 swimmer since then. Franklin, 17, the youngest member of the women's swimming team, had won two gold medals and a bronze medal by Aug. 2. She took another gold Aug. 3 in the 200 backstroke, setting a new world.
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