Missy Franklin

View Missy Franklin's Biography

A huge part of swimming for me is I love it, and it is so much fun.

Franklin Has a New Rival: And Her Name is Rachel Bootsma

Full Name:	Melissa Jeanette Franklin
Nickname(s):	Missy the missile
Born:	May 10th, 1995
	Pasadena, CA
Nationality:	United States
Status:	Active

Background Missy Franklin, better known as Missy "The Missile," first gained fame in Team USA's "Call Me Maybe" music video that went viral in the summer of 2012. Missy, then just 16, used her dancing skills to catapult her to international success. Perhaps (just maybe) her status as one of the world's elite swimmers contributed to her rise to stardom. Born in 1995 in Pasadena, CA, Franklin grew up in Centennial, CO, with her parents, Dick and D.A., and her Alaskan malamute, Ruger. Her parents are originally from Canada, and thus Franklin has dual citizenship. At her mother's request, she started swimming at age 5 and quickly loved the sport, swimming for the Colorado Stars under coach Todd Schmitz. Franklin attended Regis Jesuit High School, an all-girls private school in Aurora, CO. She swam for the Regis Jesuit swim team all four years and graduated in 2013. Early Success Franklin began her national and international career with the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials when she was just 13. She swam the 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, and 200m IM. Two years later, Franklin's performance at the 2010 National Championships qualified her to participate in the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships, where she placed fourth in the 100m backstroke. …

Franklin Has a New Rival: And Her Name is Rachel Bootsma

America has a new rivalry in the women’s 100 backstroke. And it’s not Natalie Coughlin versus Missy Franklin. Coughlin seems to have…

Tuesday Prelims Heat Sheets: Clary Scratches 200 Free

There will be no Tyler Clary in this morning’s 200 free, but Phelps-Lochte part 2 is on tap. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com

Soni, Larson Break Olympic Trials Record; Ledecky Number Two Seed

Be sure to Check out our Olympic Trials Page for full coverage. Day 2 prelims are underway from the CenturyLink…

Lochte in 11; Coughlin in 5; Dara Just 1 Event for Trials

With the release of the 2012 US Olympic Trials psych sheets, we can now answer at least some of the…

Picks: The Legend vs. The Future in the Women’s 100 Back

Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin will duke it out in Omaha in the 100 back (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

5 Entries for Missy in Omaha

Missy will be keeping her schedule light at trials (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

FINA Finalizes 2012 World Cup Schedule; Adds Mixed Relays

Chad le Clos became a (very wealthy) star in the 2011 World Cup Series.

Picks: Adrian Favored in 100, But Will Phelps Swim Finals?

(Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

The Weekend that Was in Swimming

Garrett McCaffrey helps you sort through what happened on one of the busiest racing weekends of the year.

Allison Schmitt Breaks U.S. Open Record in 200 Free at Longhorn Elite Invite

Allison Schmitt rocked her second US Open Record of 2012 in the 200 free in Austin (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Longhorn Elite Invite Day 2 Prelims: Schmitt, Franklin, Phelps Take Top Seeds

Allison Schmitt took the top seed in the 200 free

Feigen; Schmitt Make Big Statements in 100 Free On Night 1 in Austin

Jimmy Feigen was very fast in his home pool on Friday.

In Briefs: Prelims from Austin Elite Meet Day 1

Missy Franklin topped the 100 free prelim in Austin.

Last Dress Rehearsals before Trials

Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin will be in Austin, while Kosuke Kitajima and Stephanie Rice will be in Santa Clara. Some of the biggest names from this summer’s games are in action this weekend. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

2012 Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite Preview: Peirsol on the Mic

Missy Franklin will be among the swimmers opting for Austin over Santa Clara.