Missy Franklin’s State Swim Meet Draws A Crowd

Missy Franklin’s final high school meet is sold out and has been for some time. The four-time Olympic champion is scheduled to swim the 200 IM and 500 free along with two other relay events.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) set aside about 90 percent of the 990 available tickets for the competition to schools. The remaining tickets sold out quickly.

The Washington Post reports that many tickets were sold to fans of Franklin, who are hoping to see the 17-year-old’s last meet before she heads off to the University of California Berkeley.

Franklin almost didn’t swim in her final year of high school over criticism that her presence would detract form the other competitors. And while her presence has certainly drawn larger crowds, it doesn’t seem to have been negative.

Sports Illustrated notes that Bert Borgmann, assistant commissioner of the CHSAA, stated:

“I think most people are pleased that she is completing her high school career with the team she started with. Most look at this unique situation as a positive experience for the competitors. It’s hard for some folks to remember that Missy is a 17-year-old who wants to do the same things that her friends do and be part of the team and have fun doing it.”

Borgmann added, “Just because a swimmer competes in the Olympics doesn’t mean that he has left childhood and high school behind.” And for Missy Franklin, the state meet is simply one last hurrah on the way to her high school graduation.

Would you like to see Missy Franklin swim her final high school meet?

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