Central Catholic Crew

Great article about Blake Vogel (CCHS '21) and his road to the World Rowing Championships 2026 starting on Monday in Amsterdam. The article highlights Blake's jouney starting with his time rowing for Coach Hammond! Blake is a role model for the current members of our team and other younger rowers!

TOMORROW, MARS GOES TO THE WORLD STAGE

While most of us are beginning another workweek, a young man from Mars will be in Amsterdam proudly wearing USA across his chest.

With laser focus, a blue-collar work ethic and the kind of grit that carried him through moments when he wondered whether his rowing career was over, Blake Vogel and his teammate will take on the best in the world at the World Rowing Championships.

After interviewing Blake and his high school coach—and learning more about his journey from Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh) to the University of Washington—one word kept coming to mind:

GRIT!

Good luck, Blake. Mars will be cheering for you.

From Mars to Team USA: Blake Vogel Isn’t Done Yet

Read his journey to the world stage www.228Times.com

Free, accessible local journalism is made possible by our community partners:

McDonald’s of Mars
Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA
The Goddard School
Quincy Lofts
Douds Brothers Landscape Construction
Paracca Interiors
Dunn & Dimond Insurance

Exciting news from the CCHS Crew family...

Blake Vogel (CCHS '21) will represent the USA in the men's pair, teaming up with Samuel Halbert, at the World Rowing Championships 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, kicking off Monday, August 24th!

Blake is a CCHS Crew alumnus and former University of Washington oarsman. He brings international experience to the course, having raced with the USA U23 men's eight and earned a silver medal in 2024.

Good luck Blake and Samuel! We'll be cheering you on from CCHS! 💪🏆

⛳ Join us for the Central Catholic Crew Golf Fundraiser at Shooters!

Come out Sunday, September 20 from 5–8 PM for an evening of golf, food and fun, all while supporting the Central Catholic Crew Team.

🏌️ 9-hole scramble, non-golfers are absolutely welcome!

$90 Golfer | $50 Non-Golfer

Register by September 12!

REGISTER HERE

Grab your foursome — or just come hang out — and help support Central Catholic Crew! 💙💛

Misty start to the morning; 3 new course records —- Women’s 2-, Men’s 1x, and Men’s 2-. Great day at Canadohta for the 14th annual running of the William J. McKenna Sr. Trophy. Go Vikings!

Wonderful to be included in Center of Life’s 2nd Annual Camp Hazelwood Day on the Green with Almono LP, CMU, Dick’s Sporting Goods, RIDC and Hazelwood Local. Beautiful day to be outside in Hazelwood Green. Go Vikings!

Congratulations to Joe Obara ‘26 on graduating from NSI for NROTC at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois! He received the Warrior Toughness award for his Unit!

We had a successful and fun week at Learn to Row Camp! The athletes developed their technical skills on the water and built endurance through challenging workouts.
The week was filled with time on the ergs, trying to beat their personal best in a 500 meter test, some lifting and the ever popular box jumps. The boys spent time in the training barge or in an 8+ boat out on the water.
An exciting highlight of the week was a new Camp Cup record of 2:48.8!