The Denver Post is reporting that Missy Franklin will have 5 events at the upcoming Olympic Trials in Omaha – the 50, 100, and 200 freestyles, as well as the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
Coach Todd Schmitz clarified that 5 entries does not necessarily mean that she’ll swim all 5 – many athletes will over-enter races before deciding their official schedules.
This event lineup is what most probably expected from her; the only one that doesn’t fit into her core lineup is the 50 free, and that comes at the end of the meet schedule so we will see many “why not” entries in that event.
Though they’ve opted against the 200 IM, she’ll still have a tough day-3 double with the women’s 200 free semi-final coming one race before the 100 back final.
Interesting to see how she will do in the 100 free. Outside shot to go 1 or 2 in that event. We’ll need someone to step up as the Dutch women look to be unbeatable again.
No problem with the 50 free. It’s at the end of the trials. It’s just for fun.
For the rest of her schedule not at the trials but at the olympic games I continue my lobbying for the 100 back instead of the 200 free. She can easily swim around 58.50 in the 100 back and win the gold medal if she doesn’t swim the 200 free before. If she swims the 2 events I think she says goodbye to the gold medal in the 100 back and she’ll play the third place behind Camille Muffat and Allison Schmitt in the 200 free. She must keep the freestyle for the relays. She’s the queen of backstroke. With better underwaters… Read more »
Someone may have to correct me on this, but hasn’t Natalie always triumphed (thus far) in all her head-to-head battles with Missy in the 100 back? I would never count Natalie out as she has this uncanny knack of getting her hand to the wall when it really matters 🙂
So whilst I don’t doubt Missy to have potential physical superiority over Natalie in this event, the psychoalogical aspects have to be considered as well. Not to overlook either that Missy has always looked up to Natalie reportedly, so that could factor in…
I’m really crossing my fingers that Missy will repeat her brilliant performances this summer starting with trials, but privately worry that my expectations may have become a… Read more »
I believe head-to-head Natalie has won every time…though I can’t account for every Grand Prix race I guess.
Perhaps the “psychology” of it isn’t as strong in the backstroke, because for most of the race you don’t have a great feel of where your opponent is?
I wouldn’t count out Natalie in the backstroke. I watched her at Santa Clara. She was SO much better than everybody else (including the very fast Australians) on the starts and turns (I’m talking almost a body length). I think that if she hits her taper she she won’t fade as much at the end and should be able to do something special (possibly wishful thinking, but hey…).
I know Natalie is amazing with her turns and her underwaters and she will probably be in the mix for the podium at the next olympic games. But only on the potential between the 2 walls Missy is far ahead every backstroker in the world. And I doubt Natalie is able to swim 58.50 this summer. Missy has a big margin of progression and when everything will be together in her race she will swim a monster time.
Thank you for linking that awesome article! Todd Schmitz is my new favorite person.
Yes that article was good, informative reading!
Here are a couple of other, recent articles on Missy, from the Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/olympics/ci_20769676/missy-franklins-mom-d-helps-teen-phenom-deal
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/06/swimmer-missy-franklin-olympic-trials/37645/
The Denver Post, not surprisingly, is a pretty active resource when it comes to articles on Missy.
Another one posted a couple of days ago:
http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_20875217
Coughlin is a great proven champion, but at almost 30, I don’t think she will beat the 17 yo Missy.
I don’t think age is a problem for this short event. It’s just about the pure talent. Only on the potential between the 2 walls Missy is far ahead of every backstroker in the world. The key for her is the beginning of the race. If she has improved her start and her underwaters she’s unbeatable.
As you’ve mentioned repeatedly, Franklin has a lot of talent, and her underwaters are her biggest shortcoming. However, talent still has to be developed, and Coughlin’s been working on that underwater for a decade. If you compare Franklin’s underwaters from the grand prix meets with her underwaters at Nationals, does it look like they’re on the level with the other elite backstrokers? I’m sure she and Todd have been hard at work on them, but Franklin’s still physically maturing, and she her swimming doesn’t have the coordination, flexibility, or control of some of her competitors.
will be very interesting to follow her races !!! no doubt
So much speculation but here are some assumptions/predictions:
Most likely/Guaranteed to qualify in- 200 Back and all 3 relays
More than likely to qualify- 200 Free (Her race against Schmitt and Vollmer is going to be great).
We will see- Women’s 100 Back is still too tough to call- Natalie’s gotta be at 100% to defend her Olympic title and Pelton/Bootsma are going to be tough…but Missy has shown us that she can hang with the best so we’ll see….same applies for the 100 free.
I pretty much agree with USSWIMFAN except that 200 free and 100 back same day is not going to be easy…..in London there is 20 minutes between those events and the competition is pretty tough. Wouldn’t be surprised if they drop one of those events after prelims or semis, as Trials progress. Appears that keeping expectations in check is the rule of the day and they will keep it realistic.
I agree that she will probably only swim one of those–I personally would prefer the 100 back and let Schmitt and vollmer(Megan Romano???) take the 200 free. Her 3 biggest chances at gold are the 200 back, 800FR, 400 MR.
I’m glad she’s in the 50 have we ever seen her truely taper it? She could break 25!!
After typing this I take back me saying the 100 back and decided she should do both. If anyone can double it’s Missy the Missle!!!!
I think Missy will definitely do both 200 free and 100 back.
Why wouldn’t she?
She’s a strong gold medalist potential in both.
Honestly, seeing what she swam last year given the flight back from China, and what she swam in her other races. sub59 is not going to be exceedingly difficult for her to swim, even after swimming a 157 a few minutes before. Yes it is a tough double, but at full rest, she has shown signs that she has at least half a second over Natalie. I don’t see it being close even with the 200free before, I’m sure her coach will plan it out well according to her fitnes
I am very positive she will qualify in all 100/200 free/back
Doubtful she’d swim the 50 in London even if she made it, right? Doesn’t seem like it’d fit into her schedule too well.
Junker23 – I’d imagine your right assuming she makes all of the other races individually. If, say, she was 3rd in the 100 free and 100 back though, it’s probably come back into play.
I don’t think she’ll make the 50 free, but we’ll see
Missy is the girl to watch in London ! She will wowww the planet of swimming with great races + fabulous Us relays to part of …. great entries for her
Wise decision.
Even if she qualifies to four events. she will have a shot to gain seven medals(with relays)!Really Strong for a girl at her age.
She has a shot to gold in 200free,100back and 200back plus relays.Just amazing.