Abington’s Gesing repeats as District 1-3A Diving Champ
TOWAMENCIN >> Conor Gesing’s back two and a half twister brought his 11-dive performance to a climactic close Friday night.
“It went just the way I hoped it would,” the smiling sophomore said afterwards.
The same could be said for his evening as a whole.
Gesing, representing Abington High, piled up 553.45 points to win his second straight District 1-3A Title at the Rick Carroll Natatorium.
“It feels amazing. With all of the training from last year, I think I really improved,” he said.
Gesing, along with seven other divers from Class 3A, punched their tickets for the PIAA Championships in three weeks at Bucknell University.
Luke Dotson of Council Rock North won the silver medal with a 457.25 and West Chester Rustin’s Alec Pirone captured the bronze with a 452.50.
Penncrest’s Kieran Clark was fourth with a 448.80 and Paxton Flandro of Souderton Area, the SOL Continental Champ, moved on with a fith-place score of 411.70.
Also advancing were Luke Parada of Pennsbury (408.05), Will Merrill of West Chester Henderson (400.05) and Kyle Creachen of Souderton Area (392.85).
In addition, Souderton’s Alex Martin (9th), North Penn’s Antonio Javier-Bompartito (11th), Souderton’s Oliver Milles (12th), Spring-Ford’s Sam Ricci (13th), Upper Dublin’s Kyle Moon (14th), Central Bucks West’s Kevin Seigfried (15th) and Plymouth-Whitemarsh’s Michael Flamm (16th) all earned points for their respective teams, providing a little head start going into next week’s swim portion.
“I did (wanna repeat),” Gesing said. “I was very hopeful and happy I got it done.”
Gesing was also awarded the Roy Moose Memorial Award, given to the meet’s outstanding diver. Upper Moreland’s Brandon Bush captured the Class 2A title with a score of 428.20, and will head to Bucknell with teammate Dylan Swedberg (351.80).
Said Gesing: “I’m nervous, definitely nervous (about states), but I’m really happy to go there with all of my friends who qualified.”
The District One Girls Diving will be held Saturday morning at North Penn.
District One Boys Diving
Class 2A State Qualifiers
1. Brandon Bush (Upper Moreland) 428.20; 2. Dylan Swedberg (Upper Moreland) 351.80.
Class 3A State Qualifiers
1. Conor Gesing (Abington) 553.45; 2. Luke Dotson (Council Rock North) 457.25; 3. Alec Pirone (West Chester Rustin) 452.50; 4. Kieran Clark (Penncrest) 448.80; 5. Paxton Flandro (Souderton Area) 411.70; 6. Luke Parada (Pennsbury) 408.05; 7. Will Merrill (West Chester Henderson) 400.05; 8. Kyle Creachen (Souderton Area) 392.85.
