LONDON — Missy Franklin of Centennial will lead off the United States’ 4×100 freestyle relay in Saturday’s 2 p.m. MDT final.
Franklin will be followed by Jessica Hardy, Lia Neal and Alison Schmitt. Natalie Coughlin was not included despite swimming well in the morning semifinal.
Franklin skipped the semifinal to save energy for the final.
“(She has) so many swims already this week,” Franklin’s coach, Todd Schmitz, said in a text message. “Need to conserve energy.”
Members chosen for the semifinal were Neal, Schmitt, Amanda Weir and Natalie Coughlin.
The U.S. team was in the first semifinal and before the semifinal featuring world champion Netherlands and contenders Germany and Australia. The U.S. won its heat in 3:36.53, and was one of eight teams to move on to the final.
Franklin, 17, is scheduled to compete in a U.S. women’s record seven events and is favored in the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnhendersondp
