Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Alara Vogel, Havre High Swimming

A well-rounded high school education should offer plenty of great experiences, and when it comes to Havre High's Alara Vogel, she has gotten plenty of them, both in sports, and academics.

It's hard dedicating oneself to playing sports all year long, but that's exactly what Vogel is doing during her senior year, running cross country this fall, as well as competing in swimming and tennis.

While Vogel said she has enjoyed participating in all three sports, her favorite is swimming, which is something she has been doing since she was 8 years old. Now, in her senior year at HHS, she is not just a member of the Blue Pony swim team - she's one of its leaders.

That's because Vogel is a four-year veteran. Her specialty is the breaststroke and she has proven that she can swim her best on the biggest stage, like she did at the Class A state swimming meet last season, when she posted her best time of the year in the breaststroke.

While Vogel has always excelled in the pool, she put together a solid season on the tennis court last year as well. The senior plays doubles for the Ponies and last season, her and partner Reggie Bernard came within a match of making it to the state tournament.

In addition to being a three-sport athlete, Vogel is also an excellent student and a member of Havre High's A Capella Choir. She plans on attending the University of Montana next fall to study pharmacy and this past summer, as part of the Ambassadors of Music program, she was chosen as one of a select few to perform in concert and travel throughout Europe. Vogel was also voted Homecoming Queen by her peers earlier this school year.

But now, she is focused on swimming, the sport that has always been her favorite. And as far as the Havre High swim teams are concerned, this week is a big week.

That's because this Saturday is the Havre Invitational, which is one of just two chances, Blue Pony swimmers will have to compete in front of their hometown fans. The other opportunity comes Jan. 9 at the Class A meet.

Yet, before Vogel and the Ponies get set to compete Saturday, the Havre Daily News caught up with the senior swimmer for five questions.

HDN: What makes swimming your favorite sport?

Vogel: "There is always something to improve on, I guess. I like how you are always trying to get a better time or trying to get the perfect stroke."

HDN: What has been the best part of being on the swim team?

Vogel: "There is always a different group of kids that comes on the team each year, so it's really fun getting to know people and getting to know yourself a little bit better. There is just something about seeing people do their best and building up a really strong team bond."

HDN: How do you think participating in sports has made your time at Havre High better?

Vogel: "You get to meet people that have all the same interests as you. When you go out for sports, not only are you doing it because you like it, but you are with other people that like the same things, so you find even more shared interests. It really broadens your friendships."

HDN: What are you hoping to achieve this year as a swimmer?

Vogel: "I definitely want to try and reach the finals in the breaststroke. I also want to keep getting my times as low as I possibly can, and I want to give it everything I have. I want to leave everything in the pool, so when I get out of the pool at state swimming, I feel like I swam as hard as I could."

HDN: What's been your favorite moment as a Havre High athlete?

Vogel: "Either state swimming or divisional tennis last year. We got really close to making it to state in tennis and last year at state swimming, I took like six seconds off my time in the breaststroke and that was just a great feeling."