Tori Franklin may have just won a gold medal Saturday evening at the 2014 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championship in Kamloops, British Columbia, but she is already getting back to work.

Franklin competed for the United States in the triple jump and posted a mark of 13.42 meters to finish first overall in the event and earned an invitation to represent the USA in her event at the Pan American Olympic Festival in Mexico City, Mexico.

“I felt it was more about me not trying to compete with other people, but myself, and trying to make every jump better (than the last),” Franklin said. “And remembering to have a good time.”

While Franklin did have a successful season this past year, she says she started to focus on other people’s rankings and marks instead of her own. She may have picked up a 10th place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in June, but it was not what Franklin was expecting and she took the summer to start paying attention to what she’s doing, and staying focused on herself.

Her newly realigned focus has paid off and after her first place finish this past weekend, she will compete this Saturday against some of the worlds best athletes in Mexico.

The Olympic Festival is meant to give athletes a feel for competing in an environment similar to the Olympics. While this weekend marks only the second time Franklin has competed abroad, she says that it is something she has always wanted to do.

“The experience has been amazing,” Franklin said. “I got to meet some of the top athletes in our country and so many lasting friends from all over.”

Needless to say, Franklin will enter her senior year at Michigan State with the Olympics on her mind.

Alexa McCarthy is the host of Last Leg for Impact Sports.

Photo: Michigan State University Track & Field