Texarkana, Texas – After a strong 2025‑26 season that culminated in another state championship appearance, the Texas High School Tigersharks swim team is entering a rebuilding year. Head coach Eric Vogan, who has guided the program for more than twenty years, said the squad this season consists of 19 swimmers – seven girls and 12 boys – with five freshmen among them.
Last year the team fielded roughly 30 swimmers, but the graduation of 12 senior athletes who competed at the highest level left a noticeable gap. “We have a small team this year,” Vogan acknowledged, “but our goals remain ambitious.” The coach outlined clear objectives: get at least 15 of the 19 swimmers to the regional meet and have a minimum of three athletes qualify for the state championships.
Key Athletes to Watch
Junior Reagan Ramage is expected to lead the girls’ sprint events, having consistently lowered her times in the 50‑yard freestyle since her freshman year. Sophomore Cason Hanson is projected to make an impact in distance races, while freshmen sprinters Aiden Edwards and Claire McCasland have shown early promise in practice.
Assistant coach Susan Likins works alongside Vogan to develop the young swimmers’ technique and race strategy. “We are in the water every morning for two hours, followed by 45 minutes of dry‑land training,” Vogan explained, emphasizing the focus on stroke efficiency and overall conditioning.
Season Schedule
The Tigersharks open their season on September 11 at Longview High School. Their first home meet is the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) competition scheduled for November 19‑21 at the Texarkana Independent School District Aquatic Center, located on the Texarkana College campus. The full 2026‑27 schedule includes meets at Garland ISD, Richardson ISD, Nacogdoches High School, Tyler ISD, The Colony High School, and several regional and state championship events, culminating with the UIL Class 5A state meet at Texas A&M University’s Natatorium in College Station on February 17‑18.
Despite the reduced roster, the coaching staff remains confident that the combination of rigorous daily practice, focused dry‑land work, and the leadership of returning upperclassmen will position the Tigersharks to compete at the same high level as previous years. “Our young swimmers are eager, disciplined, and ready to rise to the challenge,” Vogan said.
Community members and parents have expressed support for the team, noting the importance of high school athletics in fostering teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit. The Tigersharks’ continued presence at the state championships serves as a point of pride for Texarkana, reinforcing the city’s tradition of strong youth sports programs.
As the season progresses, the Tigersharks aim to prove that a smaller, younger squad can still achieve big goals, keeping Texarkana’s swim legacy alive and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
