Franklin, Coughlin advance in 100 back at US meet - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Budding star Missy Franklin and two-time Olympic champion Natalie Coughlin have advanced in the 100-meter backstroke preliminaries at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Franklin was the top qualifier Tuesday morning in 59.54 seconds, easily moving the 17-year-old from Colorado into the evening semifinals. She led a quartet of teenagers who represent the U.S. future in the event. Rachel Bootsma, an 18-year-old from Minnesota, was second at 59.69. Elizabeth Pelton, an 18-year-old from Connecticut, was third at 1 minute, 0.55 seconds.

Olivia Smoliga, a 17-year-old from suburban Chicago, was fourth-quickest at 1:00.66.

Coughlin advanced in fifth at 1:00.71. The top 16 from the evening semifinal move on to Wednesday's final, where only the top two earn berths for the London Games.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)