Olympic Gold Medalist Missy Franklin To Visit USC

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London have, no doubt, been an impressive debut for 17-year-old swimmer Missy Franklin. The Colorado native has captured a total of five medals -- four of them gold -- to tie swimmer Amy Van Dyken ('96 Games in Atlanta) for the most gold medals in one Olympiad by an American woman. Not too shabby.

Perhaps, also of note, Franklin has turned down endorsement deals, in order to remain an amateur athlete and be eligible to compete collegiality, prompting the question of which school with she attend. Spoiler: it could be USC.

In an interview on NBC with Bob Costas over the weekend, she said, when asked if there was a shortlist of schools, that tripsto Cal, Georgia, and yes, USC have been planned. A visit to Texas might also be in the cards.

"We'll see," she said, with a laugh.

Franklin will be a senior in high school this fall at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo.

"I have always wanted to swim in college," Franklin told Costas. "I love being a part of a team. It is so important to me. A lot of people think of swimming as an individual event but there is such a huge team aspect behind that and just knowing that you have the support of so many people behind you and you know they're here and cheering for you. That's so special and I feel like college takes that to a whole ‘nother level."

It's probably worth pointing out that USC swimming coach Dave Salo is also doubling as an assistant on the U.S. Olympic women's swim team in London -- though I couldn't tell you what his role is exactly nor his relationship with Franklin.

(h/t SB Nation Los Angeles)

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