Missy Franklin Decision: Ready to Swim for High School Team? Chooses College over Going Pro and Signs with University of California [VIDEO]

It looks like U.S. Olympic Swimmer and gold medalist Missy Franklin is ready to suit up and swim on her high school team - but that's only if they will take her. The 17-year-old athlete would love to give her high school swim team a helping hand, but understands that such a decision could lead to much negative backlash from other (jealous and intimidated) schools and athletes. According to Franklin the decision is hard as to whether she should join teammates poolside at the Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado - some friends are all for it, while others think she should just remain cheering in the stands. In other Franklin news, the four-time Olympic medalist at the 2012 London Games has decided to attend college instead of immediately going pro - just last week, the popular swimmer signed a national letter of intent with the University of California and the Golden Bears.

But for now, Franklin is still focused on her high school career - "If I had anyone who swims high school come up to me and tell me they don't want me to swim, I would absolutely not swim," Franklin recently explained. "But everyone who I've talked to has been so supportive of it... it's so hard when I have so many people that are really wanting me to do it and so supportive, and I have other people who are saying it's not fair. 'Why would you do this to other girls?' And I feel so bad thinking that they would think that."

Pretty serious stuff for a 17-year-old high school senior!

"It's hard, because I feel like no matter what I do, it's going to be opposed in some way or form," Franklin tells the Washington Post. "It's hard, but it's life."

But only a few more months until Franklin is out of high school and at the University of California! In a recent video statement explaining her decision to join the Golden Bears, Franklin excitedly states, "I am so excited. I think a big draw to Cal for me was just the pride of saying you have a degree from Cal. I think that's such a great honor to say that. I can't wait to be challenged." According to reports, Franklin won't still be a member of the Cal swim team when she's scheduled to get her degree. She plans to stay two years at Cal, then turn pro and train full time for the 2016 Olympics.