FORT COLLINS • Ask anyone – coach, athlete or fan – at the Class 5A state girls’ swim meet to describe Regis Jesuit sophomore Missy Franklin, and the first response almost always is a long pause followed by some stuttering.

Rampart coach Pat Burch was the exception, immediately saying “awesome.”

But, really, Franklin is the kind of awesome that must be seen with your own eyes to fully comprehend. And even then, it’s still indescribable. (Unless, like Lewis-Palmer’s Karin Roh, you too believe in the existence of a “super beast.”)

Mouths drop. Teammates scream. Opponents ask, “Is that her?” as she climbs up on the starting blocks – and we all know who they mean.

Even parents who have seen everything while chauffeuring their kids to practices and meets in and out of the state for years gush more about Franklin than their own kids.

It’s not hype. It’s real.

In Saturday’s 100-yard backstroke finals at Edora Pool Ice Center, Franklin broke the all-time U.S. high school record set in 1998 by Natalie Coughlin (52.86) on the way to defending her state title in a time of 52.30 seconds. She also broke her own state record in the 50 freestyle, winning in 22.41. And she helped Regis win the 200 medley relay, 400 free relay and the team title.

Coughlin has gone on to win three Olympic gold medals – including winning the 100-meter backstroke in 2004 and 2008. Franklin, already a member of the U.S. national team, doesn’t appear too far off the Olympics either.

But her speed in the pool isn’t the best thing about her, according to Doherty sophomore Sarah James. While almost everyone eventually gets around to talking about Franklin’s talent. James, who finished fifth in the backstroke and has become really close friends with Franklin, took a different approach.

“She’s not conceited one bit at all,” who did still pause before answering, “She is the Sweetheart of Colorado, I would say.”

James also would say she’s the perfect role model.

“Because everybody would love to be that fast and that good of a person at the same time,” James said.

A humble star? Franklin really is a phenomenon that can render you speechless.

Missy Franklin swam the first leg of the women’s 200-yard medley relay for Regis Jesuit on Friday. Franklin is one of the top swimmers at any level and is expected to breeze to several titles at state. Photo by THE DENVER POST