UA freshman making early splash on Wildcat swimming

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman swimmer Erin Vogt rests after swimming laps during practice at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Vogt qualified earlier this season for the NCAA Championships in four different events, breaking one school record in the process. She will compete against Arizona State this Saturday at Hillenbrand.

In her first year as a Wildcat, Vogt's accomplishments seem to resemble those of an upperclassman. The freshman has already qualified for the NCAA Championships in four different events, breaking one school record in the process.

In what was dubbed a preview for the championship meet in March and featured eight of the top 25 nationally-ranked squads from around the nation, Vogt qualified in the 100-yard butterfly (53.98 seconds), 200 fly (1 minute, 53.93 seconds), 200 individual medley (2:00.54) and in the 400 IM with a school-record breaking time of 4:14.52.

Busch said her impact on the UA swimming program has been great since her arrival in August.

"On one hand it is not surprising to me. Erin is very talented," he said. "On the other, it is somewhat of a surprise because despite having to fight injury, she has swam very well."

Vogt has been faced with a reoccurring case of bursitis, an inflammation of a tendon in her shoulder. Despite that, which she calls "disappointing," Vogt said so far the year has been a lot of fun.

"I really like swimming at the U of A," she said. "Coming here was probably the best decision I have ever made."

In nearly every meet this season, Vogt has made her presence felt. On Jan. 29 and 30 the No. 3 women's team faced two national powerhouses and Pacific 10 Conference rivals in No. 2 Stanford and No. 7 California in one weekend of competition. While fighting her bursitis, Vogt captured titles in the 200 fly, 200 IM and swam a leg on the winning 400 medley relay teams in both meets.

In all, Vogt's performances this year have been good enough to notch the top times of the year for the Wildcats in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 400 IM and as a team member of the 400 medley relay.

"Erin certainly knows her role on this team," Busch said. "She is one of many team players that has to be counted on for our program to be successful."

To be a functioning member of the team, Vogt said she feels there is only one thing she can do.

"To play my role," she said. "I just go into every meet with the attitude to do the best that I can."

Busch also said that though he can never predict how his swimmers will finish in NCAA competition, "Erin is capable of making a big contribution to the team."

Vogt said she does not usually look too far into the future but would like to place in the top eight at the championships in March.

"I don't have high expectations for NCAAs. I just want to compete as best as I can, and see what it's like," she said.

Coming out of high school, Vogt said she really enjoys the increased level of competition.

"It has been really different this year," she said. "There are many more fast swimmers, which causes us to be more and more competitive with each meet that comes."

Vogt came to Tucson from Jackson, Mo., where she earned a varsity letter in swimming during her freshman year at Cape Central High School.

That year, she captured state championships in the 100 fly and 200 IM and was named to the All-America team. While swimming at Cape Central, Vogt managed to hold top marks in every event for the school. To this day, she still holds the top-time for the state of Missouri in the 100 fly.

Vogt will compete in the Wildcats' next meet against Arizona State on Feb. 13 at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.

"So far, I have had a great time here, and am looking forward to the seasons to come," she said.

Keith Carmona can be reached at Keith.Carmona@wildcat.arizona.edu.