OMAHA — Missy Franklin of Centennial qualified first in the 200 backstroke preliminaries with Cherry Creek High-graduate Bonnie Brandon getting fourth Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
Franklin, the American record holder and ranked No. 1 in the world, clocked 2:08.35 to advance to Saturday night’s semifinals. Brandon, seeded fourth in this meet swimming next to Franklin, finished in 2:11.17. The top eight in the semifinals advance to Sunday night’s final.
Colorado got a third representative in the semifinals when Alexandra Malazdrewicz clocked a personal best of 2:13.88 to qualify in 15th.
“I had a lot of friends telling me you can get really nervous and they helped me get through it,” said Malazdrewicz, who won the 200 and 500 freestyle with 4A state records to lead Evergreen High to second place in the state meet. “I just told myself to relax. It’s just like any other meet. I’ve done the 200 backstroke so many times.”
Franklin declined to talk afterward as she has a quick turnaround Saturday night between semifinals and her 100 freestyle final. Brandon felt that she must drop her best from 2:09.91 to under 2:08 to make the Olympic team.
“I feel like I worked it hard but feel I have a lot more in it tonight,” Brandon said. “Definitely there will be more excitement and more positive energy after one swim. I think I can push it more tonight and tomorrow.”
The University of Arizona-bound swimmer said she likes swimming next to Franklin.
“I know she’s going to make it back so as long as I’m close, if I’m close or within a body length I can gauge how I’m going to be seeded later,” Brandon said.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, or jhenderson@denverpost.com
