On the evening of Saturday August 4, 2012, 17 year-old Missy Franklin won her fourth Gold medal of the London Olympic Games when she swam the backstroke leg of the women’s 4×100 medley relay. It was Missy’s second world record of the Olympic games; it was her 5th Olympic medal.
It was a crowning moment for swimming’s brightest new star and end of a chapter of her marvelous journey.
That Saturday was also the end of her teammate Kara Lynn Joyce’s long and productive Olympic career. And though she finished with four Silver medals, just making it to her third Olympics was her greatest accomplishment.
The fortunes of Missy and Kara – and that of their coach, Todd Schmitz – are the stories of Touch the Wall.
Missy’s story is becoming known – an all-American teenager who, when she’s not dominating her competition in the pool can be found doing her homework, hanging out with her friends, or just having fun at whatever she’s doing. And she possibly might just be the nicest person on the planet.
As for Kara, she finished her college career as one of the most decorated female swimmers. She has long had the reputation as one of the sport’s hardest workers … and most respected athletes.
Somewhat unexpectedly, they both made the Olympics, and Missy had a phenomenal start to her Olympic career as she won 4 golds and a bronze.
Upon returning to Colorado, Missy resumed her life as a teenager. Determined to stay amateur and swim for the NCAA’s as Kara did, she turned down millions of dollars and committed to UC Berkeley. She’ll start as a freshman in the fall of 2013.
Touch the Wall is the story of how these two amazing women and their coach got to where they are. It’s a story of winning and losing, of commitment, and of triumph through adversity. It’s also a story of family, of loving what you do, and having fun with the people around you.
In a world starved for heroes, Missy and Kara stand tall in Touch the Wall.