Missy Franklin will be heading back to Cal after leaving the program after two years in order to head back home to Colorado and train with her long-time coach Todd Schmitz in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In an interview on Good Morning America, Franklin confirmed that she would in fact be heading back to Cal.
“I’m heading back to Cal Berkely and I’m so excited about it. There’s so much I’m looking forward to getting back there,” said Franklin. “Getting back with my team, getting back with athletes in action, all these different groups that I’ve just missed being a part of so much this past year. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Franklin swam for two-years at Cal following her success at the London Olympic Games, famously forgoing going pro in order to have the collegiate experience.
After two years with coach Teri McKeever, Franklin went pro and finished the remainder of her training for Rio with Todd Schmitz.
Franklin didn’t have the Olympic Trials or Olympic Games she was hoping for. She missed the team in the 100m backstroke early at trials but managed to make it in the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and earn a spot on the 4x200m freestyle relay.
In Rio, she failed to make the final in either of her individual events, but came home with a gold medal as a prelim swimmer on the winning 4×200 free relay team.
“I’m definitely taking some time with it,” said Franklin of her disappointing performances. “By far it’s been the most disappointed I’ve ever been in any athletic performance so for that to line up at the Olympic is not ideal.”
Despite her disappointment, Franklin has still managed to stay upbeat, a trademark of her personality.
“I did the best that I possibly could and it just wasn’t my week,” said Franklin. “It’s heartbreaking that all the hard work and sacrifices I made just didn’t show up but I know that they will eventually and I think I’m going to be so much stronger after this experience.”
There’s no confirmation yet as to who will be coaching Franklin when she returns to Cal in an attempt to come back stronger and redeem her performances from Rio.
Well seeing Ryan Murphy’s back strokes this past week that’s exactly where Missy should go.
Missy has a great support system, but she always talks in platitudes and is so diplomatic as though the answer to each question will decide who becomes the new Miss America. This experience will hopefully help her to develop more of a sense of self-worth outside of the pool so that she doesn’t lean so much on her performances for her confidence.
I don’t think she can ever replicate the magic she created in London, but with Maya retired and Seebohm nearing the end of her career, she can dominate the 200 back for years to come if she gets back to form. The 100 back is a tougher ask. And if all that doesn’t work out, she can… Read more »
Wow. I just watched the interview. Missy is a star. She is so comfortable in front of the camera. She has a very bright future.
She made a smart move. She needed to get away from her parents and Todd. She tried to recreate that magic they had when she was 17. It was a failed experiment.
1) Go be a college kid. Even take a year off swimming if you want.
2) Complete your degree. Be a college kid. Don”t call home everyday. Have a beer.
3) Go swim with Meehan or Bauerle over the break. Don’t go to Hawaii with Teri.
4) Befriend Maya Dirado. Big time.
5) Get close to Durden and the men’s backstroke group. Swim LC with the off group.
6) Get a sports psych. Make sure you are also physically healthy. Lose 8 pounds
7) If you… Read more »
Lose 8 pounds? Really?
Yes, really. Be it her back issues or the extra weight, Missy’s body position is distinctly different, especially on the backstroke, the last few months. Her signature closing speed is gone yet her tempo looks the same. It’s poor body position. Is it due to her back or extra weight. I say get a detailed medical review and lose weight.
Greg Meehan is one of the best coaches out there now. but I doubt she’d leave cal for rival stanford
I’m not suggesting she leave Cal. I’m just suggesting she do some guest swims at different programs during breaks (like when Teri goes to Hawaii).
Between Missy and Katinka Hozzou, so much blame/credit is being given to coaches. Yes, coaches make a huge impact in their swimmers but in the end it’s the swimmer that does the work and swims the races.
Your an inspiration to me as well as thousands I’m sure. I will strive to be at least half as professional and sports-person like when I hit disappointing performances . You are my role model
Good for her!
god she’s so cringy