Rachel Bootsma photo by U.S. Presswire
OMAHA, Neb. - Rachel Bootsma, of Eden Prairie, earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic swimming team on Wednesday night by finishing second in the 100-meter backstroke.
Missy Franklin joined Bootsma in denying Natalie Coughlin a chance to defend her title in London.
The 17-year-old Franklin signaled a changing of the guard in the event Coughlin won at the last two Olympics. Coming back just 20 minutes after the semifinals of the 200 freestyle, she chased down Coughlin on the return lap to win with an American record of 58.85 seconds.
Coughlin started strong and was under world-record pace at the turn. But the 29-year-old couldn't hold off the two teenagers.
Bootsma got past the 11-time Olympic medalist finishing with a time of 59:49 seconds. Coughlin was third in 1.06 seconds.
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