From High School to Olympic Swimming

July 11, 2012

Fans of U.S. Swimming already have plenty of reasons to cheer for Missy Franklin later this month at the Summer Olympics -- she's only 17, but qualified to compete in a U.S. women's all-time best seven events.

But fans of high school sports and what they provide athletes at all levels of ability can also support her for how she's chosen to compete when she's not racing against the best in the world.

Franklin, who lives in Colorado, has continued to swim for her high school team despite the financial rewards she could've earned by taking the elite swimmer's usual path of going pro.

A ton has been written about Franklin lately, for obvious reasons. Below is a link to a New York Times story from February that focused on her continued dedication to her high school team.

Before the Olympic Trials, There’s This Big High School Meet (New York Times)

Today in the MHSAA: 4/20/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 20, 2026

1. BOYS LACROSSE Bay City Central defeated rival Western to win the North/South Invitational, its first tournament title in program history – Bay City Times

2. GIRLS SOCCER A “nearly unbelievable” goal was the difference as Division 2 No. 12 Holland Christian downed No. 7 Zeeland East 2-1 – Holland Sentinel

3. SOFTBALL Division 3 No. 2 Ravenna went 3-0 at the Grand Haven Invitational defeating Division 1 honorable mentions Traverse City Central and Midland Dow and the No. 7 Buccaneers – Local Sports Journal

4. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 top-ranked Byron Center and Division 2 No. 2 Richland Gull Lake played to a scoreless draw – Kalamazoo Gazette

5. GIRLS LACROSSE Detroit Country Day broke away during the second quarter of a 17-7 win over Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood – Oakland Press

6. BASEBALL Division 4 top-ranked Portland St. Patrick swept No. 5 Fulton 13-2, 12-6 – Lansing State Journal

7. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 5 Rochester Adams edged No. 9 Rochester High 1-0 – Oakland Press

8. TRACK & FIELD The Olivet girls and Parma Western boys took top team places at the 23rd Ralph Rice Invitational hosted by the latter – Jackson Citizen Patriot

9. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 16 Caro edged Almont 11-10 to clinch its Jeff Raymond Tournament championship – Saginaw News

10. TRACK & FIELD The Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central girls and host Bears boys won Monroe Jefferson Invitational titles – Monroe News