Colorado Olympic Star Missy Franklin Chooses UC-Berkeley
ByShe is one among those sports personalities who do not let success get into their heads. She is still the same 17-year-old humble girl from Rocky Mountains even after winning five medals at the London Olympics.
Missy Franklin, the most sought after high school recruit this season, has finally zeroed in on a swimming program of her choice. She has chosen University of California-Berkeley and will soon be seen wearing the Gold and Blue outfit.
She announced her decision to be part of Berkeley swimming team through twitter. Her tweet read:
"Committed to swim at Cal Berkeley! I am officially a baby Golden Bear?????? I am so honored to be a part of such a special team! (hash)GoBears"
She will be joining her London Olympics team mate Rachel Bootsma. Teri McKeever, who helmed the U.S. women's team at the London Olympics, is coach at Cal Berkeley.
"I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Golden Bear family," Franklin said in an email sent to Swimming World. "I looked at such amazing schools and programs across the country and it was such a difficult decision, but in my heart I know that Berkeley is where I belong."
After returning with four gold medals and a bronze in her Olympics debut, the high school swimming prodigy narrowed down her college choices to University of Georgia, Texas, USC, and UC Berkeley 9News.com
Though she found all the programs extremely good, she said, Cal Berkeley was the best fit for her. Before making the final decision she also visited Georgia and Texas. But due to her verbal commitment to Berkeley, she won't be making her scheduled visit to Southern California.
However, Franklin will be swimming for the college in NCAA tournaments only first two years as she plans to go pro ahead of the 2015 Rio Olympics. Yet, she will continue in the college.
Franklin could have gone professional immediately after her impressive win but she opted to stay amateur to swim NCAA. That is, she turned down endorsement offers worth millions.
She will soon be leaving her parents' home in Denver for California.
"We want to thank the coaches, administration, faculty and students from all the colleges who made the recruiting process so much fun for her," her parents said to 9News.
"Everyone was great, but in the end she went with her heart. We are both thrilled for her."