Seventeen-year-old Missy Franklin left no doubt that she is swimming’s next big star with a stunning performance in the 100 backstroke Wednesday event at the CenturyLink Center, signaling a changing of the guard in an event Natalie Coughlin won at the last two Olympics.
Coming back to the pool just 20 minutes after qualifying for the final of the 200 freestyle, Franklin — a Colorado Stars swimmer who is a senior-to-be at Regis Jesuit High School — chased down Coughlin on the return lap to win with an American record of 58.85.
“I have dreamed of this moment, but I never thought it would come true at 17 years old,” Franklin said. “Dreams do come true.”
