Hoover Swimmer and Coach Discuss Sectional Meet

North Canton Hoover's Mason Lewis and head coach Richard Vaughn reflect on OHSAA Division I sectional swim competition.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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North Canton Hoover swimmer Mason Lewis and head coach Richard Vaughn spoke to reporters after the OHSAA Division I sectional swim meet at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio. The two discussed the team's performance and looked ahead to the next stage of the competition.

Why it matters

High school swimming is a popular sport in Ohio, with the OHSAA sectional and state meets drawing significant local interest and media coverage. Hoover is one of the top programs in the state, making their reflections on the sectional meet noteworthy for the school's fans and the broader swimming community.

The details

In the interview, Lewis and Vaughn touched on the team's results at the sectional meet, their preparation leading up to the event, and their expectations for the upcoming district and state competitions. As one of Hoover's top swimmers, Lewis provided insight into his own performance and mindset, while Vaughn offered the coach's perspective on the team's strengths, areas for improvement, and overall outlook.

  • The OHSAA Division I sectional swim meet took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Mason Lewis

A swimmer for the North Canton Hoover high school team.

Richard Vaughn

The head coach of the North Canton Hoover high school swim team.

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What they’re saying

“We're really excited about how we performed today and are looking forward to seeing what we can do at districts and state.”

— Mason Lewis, Hoover Swimmer (cantonrep.com)

“The team has been working hard all season, and I'm proud of the effort they put in at the sectional meet. We still have more to accomplish, but this was a great step forward.”

— Richard Vaughn, Hoover Head Coach (cantonrep.com)

What’s next

The Hoover swim team will compete at the OHSAA Division I district meet on February 21, 2026, with the state championships following shortly after.

The takeaway

Hoover's strong showing at the sectional swim meet demonstrates the program's continued excellence and the dedication of its athletes and coaching staff. As they advance to the next stages of the OHSAA postseason, the team will look to build on this momentum and compete for state titles.