North Penn trio, Methacton’s Roy qualify for states at District 1 Championships

TOWAMENCIN — With a spot in states already secure, Methacton’s Dan Roy was focused in on a top-three finish Friday night at North Penn’s Rick Carroll Natatorium.

The senior nailed his inward double on his 10th dive of the evening and scored just well enough on his final one to lock up the bronze at the District 1-AAA Championships.

“I felt confident,’ Roy said of going into the finals. “It was really close between Kevin (Toner) and I and it was all just down to the last dive.’

Roy compiled a score of 443.85, pushing past the 433.40 by Toner of Upper Dublin, in a commanding performance that has the senior headed back to Bucknell University for the second consecutive season.

“Last year, getting to states was awesome,’ Roy said. “I was just happy I could do it and hoped I could do it again. (Over the next three weeks), I just want to work on cleaning up my dives, making them consistent.’

Roy was one of four local divers to qualify, as North Penn will be sending a trio of competitors to the big meet in Lewisburg. Ian Boland Bintner earned fifth place with a 428.10, Geoffroy Gagnon was right behind in sixth with a 427.10, and Quinn Mitchell notched the 10th and final state spot, diving to a final score of 398.65.

Gagnon, like Roy, is headed to states for the second year in a row.

Making states for the fourth consecutive time is William Tennent’s Ian Forlini, who not only captured his fourth straight district gold but did so in record-setting fashion.

Forlini’s score of 546.70 surpassed the previous pool record of 496.45, set by Neshaminy’s Brian Gemberling back in 2008.

“I’m excited. I dove well so I was happy I could get all my dives in cleanly so I could get the record,’ Forlini said. “Going into states, I just want to clean up the things I missed here, maybe change my order around a little and switch some dives maybe. And then just make sure everything is clean. I’m excited to do this four years in a row.’