Olympian Franklin signs to swim for Cal

[November 15, 2012]  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Missy Franklin pranked California women's swimming coach Teri McKeever when it came time for the five-time Olympic medalist to announce her college choice.

The 17-year-old lured McKeever into thinking she had lost out on arguably the most decorated recruit to enter college swimming. Eventually, Franklin fessed up and McKeever breathed a sigh of relief.

Franklin made it official on Wednesday, signing a national letter of intent to swim for the Golden Bears starting next September. The Centennial, Colo., resident plans to swim collegiately for two years and then turn pro before the 2016 Rio Olympics.

McKeever says the plan is for Franklin to earn her college degree and continue training with the Bears as part of their post-graduate ranks, which have included Olympic champions Natalie Coughlin and Dana Vollmer.

[Associated Press; By BETH HARRIS]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.