OMAHA — Missy Franklin finished her first race of the Olympic Trials exactly where she wanted to be — winning her heat in the 100-meter backstroke Monday morning and advancing to Monday night’s semifinals without expending too much energy.
“My goal was to win my heat, and I did that, so it’s perfect,” Franklin said.
Franklin’s time of 1 minute, 0.35 seconds was fifth-fastest across all heats. Two women, Olivia Smoliga (University of Georgia) and Amy Bilquist (California), broke the minute mark.
“Smooth and controlled, finished like we want,” said Franklin’s coach, Todd Schmitz, adding that Franklin will be in the fastest semifinal heat Monday night.
Also advancing was Natalie Coughlin, who at age 33 is attempting to make her fourth Olympics. Coughlin was the American record holder in the event until Franklin broke it twice in 2012.
“I’m just excited to get my meet started,” said Coughlin, who has won 12 Olympic medals. “The purpose of prelims is to get into semis. I did what I needed to do. It would be great to go to Rio. That’s the whole point of this meet. Hopefully I get my ticket there. If I don’t, I don’t. It’s not the end of the world.”
