CANTON — For the second time in two years, Colonel Crawford’s Cassidy Vogt made an appearance at the OHSAA Division 2 Swimming State Championships.
This time, however, was as an individual.
After being on Colonel Crawford’s 200 medley relay team in 2018, Vogt made the solo trip to C.T. Branin Natatorium to swim in the 50 free.
Vogt finished the down-and-back race in 25.15, a half second slower than her qualifying time from the district meet.
“I added a little bit of time, but my main goal for the year was to make it to state,” Vogt said. “I’m just happy I’m here. I’m still proud of my accomplishments this season.”
Colonel Crawford Coach Shelli Ashley echoed Vogt’s sense of pride in her accomplishments.
“For her to make it individually, as a sophomore, and it being her first time here as a sophomore, I’m really proud of her,” Ashley said.
Vogt said she just wanted to focus on her race.
“I got up on the block and, as soon as I dove in, I was just completely focused on myself. I had no idea where anybody was,” she said. “I was just trying to focus on my time and my race.”
Vogt says she plans to use the race as a learning experience for the next two years of her career.
“Last year, coming to this meet, I was totally in shock with how fast everyone was,” she said. “So, knowing what to expect this year made it a little better, and in the next two years hopefully I’ll come back, and everything will just be even better.”
Ashley said she was happy with the progression of Vogt’s career to this point.
“She can build from it next year,” Ashley said. “I’m super proud of the way she trained the last few weeks, it’s been really good for her and she’s been really focused. She had a really good time (at district’s), and it’s hard to pull that off two weeks in a row.”
Ashley said Vogt will work next year on getting all three aspects of the race, the start, turn and finish, perfected.
“I’m not worried,” Ashley said. “She’s right where she needs to be.”