A Look At Missy Franklin’s Career Thus Far

Above is a video courtesy of Bear Insider’s Jim McGill going through a run-down of Missy Franklin’s career thus far. To see the full interview click here. 

Missy Franklin’s career took a twist this past weekend as she was announced as a Laureus Ambassador, one of her many moves as a pro swimmer.

Franklin’s collegiate season ended this past March and afterward she turned pro, starting yet another chapter in her swimming career.

Prior to becoming a Laureus Ambassador, Franklin signed with sport agent Mark Ervin and made her first endorsement as a professional swimmer with the Tennessee Swim Camp.

Franklin held off on going pro as long as she could.

Franklin made her first international team in 2010, the same year where she set her first world record in the short-course 200m backstroke.

Very quickly Franklin progressed into an all-around global star, earning herself five medals (which included three golds) at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai. Then and there, Franklin became one of the most marketable swimmers.

Franklin went on to win four golds and a bronze at the Olympic Games in London, thus furthering the desirability of signing her. She also set her first individual long-course world record with a winning time of 2:04.06 in the 200m backstroke. Still, Franklin committed to swimming with the Cal Golden Bears retaining her amateur status.

Prior to heading to California, Franklin competed at the 2013 World Championships where she won an incredible six gold medals. With that, Franklin became the first woman to ever win six golds at a single edition of the World Championships.

Coming off the meet in Barcelona, Franklin went to California to train with Teri McKeever and the storied Golden Bear squad. She was very successful in that program, winning the 200 free at the 2014 NCAAs in a new American record time. Heading towards the long-course pool Franklin grabbed a spot on her second Pan Pacs squad where she won four medals including one individual medal in the 100m backstroke.

After Pan Pacs Franklin returned for what would be her last in the NCAA. At the 2015 NCAA Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, Franklin put up some remarkable swims reminiscent of the 2013 Worlds Franklin. In the 200 freestyle she obliterated her American record with a 1:39.10 to be the fastest performer ever in the event by a sizable margin.

After the meet she announced that she would not be returning to compete with the Golden Bears, and instead went pro. Now, with the clock ticking towards both the 2015 World Championships in Kazan and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, only time will tell what is to come in the next stage of her career.