HS Diving: Tide’s Klinger, Eagles’ Scheuer dominate at Pottsville Invitational
Medal-winners at Friday's Pottsville Dive Invitational at the Ned Hampford Natatorium were, front row, from left: Anna Oettl, Blue Mountain, girls' third; Hailey Scheuer, Blue Mountain, girls' champion; Shyanna White, Blue Mountain, girls' second; back row, Brayden Tokonitz, Pottsville, boys' third; Adam Klinger, Pottsville, boys' champion; and Colin Kline, Pottsville, boys' second (Submitted Photo).
POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill League champions Adam Klinger and Hailey Scheuer showed they’re ready to defend their crowns after dominating at Friday’s Pottsville Dive Invitational at the Ned Hampford Natatorium.
Klinger broke his own Pottsville Area school record and Ned Hampford Natatorium mark in the boys’ 11-dive event by posting a score of 492.80 points. It marked the second time in less than a week that the Seton Hall-bound senior recorded career-high scores after winning the Schuylkill League Diving Invitational last Saturday at Blue Mountain with a score of 485.15.
Pottsville’s Colin Kline was second at 272.20, qualifying him for the District 11 Diving Championships. Pottsville’s Brayden Tokonitz (211.45) was third, followed by Blue Mountain’s Kevin Frederick (147.15) in fourth.
Scheuer missed last Saturday’s Schuylkill League Diving Invitational at her home pool due to a prior commitment. She made up for it by breaking her own Blue Mountain school and Pottsville pool records in the 11-dive event with a score of 372.85.
Blue Mountain’s Shyanna White was second in the seven-girl field with 304.50 points, followed by Blue Mountain’s Ana Oettl (257.50), Blue Mountain’s Molly Stone (242.60), Blue Mountain’s Sarah Satterfield (238.10), North Schuylkill’s Parker Drum (226.85) and Pottsville’s Lila Evans (141.15).
Friday’s Pottsville Dive Invitational was a late addition to the season schedule to provide the Schuylkill League’s divers another chance to post a qualifying score for the District 11 Diving Championships. Unlike years ago, when divers could qualify for districts based on a six-dive score, the PIAA changed that qualification to an 11-dive competition last year.
The next step for local divers will be the Schuylkill League Diving Championships set for Friday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. at North Schuylkill’s Donald Bricker Natatorium. The Schuylkill League Swimming Championships are scheduled for the following day, Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. at Pottsville’s Ned Hampford Natatorium.
This year’s District 11 Diving Championships will be split into two days and moved from Emmaus to Parkland. The boys’ competition will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m., with the girls’ event slated for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m.
The District 11 Swimming Championships will be held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21, at Parkland High School.
