OMAHA — Missy Franklin made it through her preliminary heat in the 200-meter freestyle Tuesday to qualify for the semifinals to come this the evening, but there was another benefit to her morning swim: Easing the disappointment of finishing seventh in the semifinals of the 100-meter backstroke Monday night.
“I felt really, really good this morning,” Franklin said after posting the seventh-fastest time in the 200 free. “Definitely felt a little sluggish (Monday) night, so I think itap really good that I had a race this morning to get those cobwebs out. Tonightap a double, and those are my favorites, so itap time to really step up.”
Her double Tuesday night: Racing the semifinals of the 200 free, then coming back 20-25 minutes later for the finals of the 100-backstroke when she will try to make the Olympic team in that event from Lane 1. She is the reigning Olympic champion in that event.
“I was not happy with that at all,” Franklin said of Monday night’s setback. “That was a huge disappointment, but God gave me that lane for a reason and I’m going to use it tonight.”
Superstar Katie Ledecky had the best time in the 200 free prelims, finishing in 1:55.6. Franklin was second in a different heat, finishing 3.01 off Ledecky’s time.
Franklin said she enjoys the challenges presented by doubling up the way she will Tuesday.
“I think I do my best when I’m given a greater challenge, and tonight I’m really going to have a big challenge,” Franklin said. “My goal is to do whatever I can in backstroke to make the team, and my goal is to make the top eight in the 200 free,” which would put her in the final of that event Wednesday night.
Franklin said she would make “no excuses” for Monday’s performances.
“I think I might be trying a little too hard and thinking a little bit too much,” Franklin said. “Now itap just about trusting myself and just letting it happen.”
