[CTcard]

I am not sure there is any correlation between attending college and world-level athletic performance falling off, but it does show up occasionally.  Michelle Wie attended college and never regained her form as a teenage golfer.  Both Franklin and Wie had plenty of time after leaving school to get back on track but neither were able to recover.  Of course the vast majority of athletes do continue to progress during their college years.  Any explanation about Wie and Franklin or are they the exceptions that prove the rule?

It's not clear that Franklin's problems were associated with being in University. She has had some injury troubles, but as recently as last summer, just after she completed her last semester at berkelee, she won a silver medal in the 200 back in the world championships and golds on the A team of the relays. And in her last NCAA championships ( a very high level meet - note how many of the swimmers from other countries attend US colleges) she won three individual titles: 200 yard back, 200 free, 200 IM.

Leaving college and turning pro seems to have coincided with her more severe troubles. That may be coincidence, but there are a few articles out there saying she overdid the endorsements for awhile.

[CTcard]

I am not sure there is any correlation between attending college and world-level athletic performance falling off, but it does show up occasionally.  Michelle Wie attended college and never regained her form as a teenage golfer.  Both Franklin and Wie had plenty of time after leaving school to get back on track but neither were able to recover.  Of course the vast majority of athletes do continue to progress during their college years.  Any explanation about Wie and Franklin or are they the exceptions that prove the rule?

It's not clear that Franklin's problems were associated with being in University. She has had some injury troubles, but as recently as last summer, just after she completed her last semester at berkelee, she won a silver medal in the 200 back in the world championships and golds on the A team of the relays. And in her last NCAA championships ( a very high level meet - note how many of the swimmers from other countries attend US colleges) she won three individual titles: 200 yard back, 200 free, 200 IM.

Leaving college and turning pro seems to have coincided with her more severe troubles. That may be coincidence, but there are a few articles out there saying she overdid the endorsements for awhile.