Colorado's Missy Franklin Guns For Spot On The U.S. Olympic Team

DENVER (CBS4) - Regis Jesuit and Cherry Creek high schools met for a swim meet showdown Friday morning and one of the swimmers stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Regis junior Missy Franklin is gunning for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 London Olympics.

It was the swimming season debut for Franklin on Friday.

"I don't think I could even put it into words. I've been working for it for 4 years. I went to the Olympic trials when I was 13, so in 2008, and ever since I left that pool I knew that I wanted to come back and have a shot," Franklin said.

Next to the other teens at the dual meet against Cherry Creek Franklin looked like any another teammate, but she's the only one that holds a world record.

"In Berlin, Germany, she broke the 200 backstroke short course record, a world record. So being a 16-year-old world record holder in that she now is a front runner for qualifying for the Olympics," Regis Athletic Director John Koslosky said.

Franklin has wanted to make it into the Olympics since she was 5 years old and she stands a good chance. On Friday she placed first place in nearly all of her races.

"This is just great fun, great racing being with my friends and just enjoying ourselves," Franklin said.

Regis won Friday's meet.

The real work begins training with her international team. Olympic trials will be held this summer in Omaha, Neb. Her entire school is cheering her on.