Abington’s Gesing dives to third straight District 1-3A Title
TOWAMENCIN >> Sleep deprived and having missed a day of practice on Friday due to the winter storm, Abington’s Conor Gesing still pulled through, pulling off a rare three-peat at the District 1-3A Boys Diving Championships.
“It feels great. With the year we’ve had so far, I know it’s been a pain for everyone, but it’s really great to see everyone come together through this,” Gesing said after being awarded the gold medal Saturday morning at the Rick Carroll Natatorium. “It seems like we all got through it and we all came out and competed today.”
Gesing is the lone qualifier for the PIAA-3A Championships, where he’ll try to surpass last year’s silver-medal performance.
Upper Moreland’s Brandon Bush defended his title in Class 2A, pushing through to states.
Gesing scored 538.95 points, not only earning him the top spot in 3A but also awarding him the Roy Moose Memorial Award, given to the meet’s outstanding diver.
It was a different atmosphere Saturday due to social-distancing guidelines, as there were no spectators and medals were given to the finishers by their coaches, and not during a medal ceremony afterwards. The number of qualifiers in 3A was shrunk from eight to one, but those competing Saturday – the meet was pushed back a day due to the weather – were happy to get up on the board.
“It was definitely a little stressful due to my lack of sleep, so I was definitely a little more nervous than I normally would have been,” Gesing said. “I got my warm-ups in this morning. I was supposed to have a few practices over the last couple days but, with the weather, those were cancelled. I just had this morning, along with the extra two in between (rounds) so I was fine.”
Gesing’s back two and a half twister was part of a stellar overall performance.
“I was really happy with that because I had been struggling with it in practices just a little bit, with my hurdles and everything,” he said. “But luckily, I pulled it out.”
Gesing wants to keep climbing the ladder, with only one rung left. The junior wants to top last year’s silver with a gold.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to come out with the first place,” Gesing said. “That would be great. I might be looking at adding a few dives.
“(Bringing a district title back to Abington) feels great. They’re wonderful over there. They’re always there. They’re always helping me with extra practices, always helping me, early-morning practices…It’s great.”
Council Rock North’s Luke Dotson placed second, followed by Pennsbury’s Luke Parada, Souderton Area’s Oliver Milles and North Penn’s Josh Gratton.
One of the most improved divers was Central Bucks West’s Kevin Siegfried, who surged to sixth place with a 372.95.
“Huge improvement from last year,” said a smiling Siegfried. “Last year I was just happy to qualify and this year I tried to take a good spot. It’s disappointing (only one diver qualifies this year instead of top 8) but hopefully next year it goes back to normal and I’m able to go to states.”
Both Bush and teammate Brendan Moran of Upper Moreland, along with all 13 divers in 3A, earned points for their squads in the team scoring.
Boys Diving
District 1-3A Championships
Top Diver Qualifies for PIAA’s
1. Conor Gesing (Abington) 538.95; 2. Luke Dotson (Council Rock North) 479.45; 3. Luke Parada (Pennsbury) 414.20; 4. Oliver Milles (Souderton Area) 392.70; 5. Josh Gratton (North Penn) 373.90; 6. Kevin Siegfried (Central Bucks West) 372.95; 7. Alex Martin (Souderton Area) 366.65; 8. Brady Stanton (North Penn) 359.05; 9. Kyle Moon (Upper Dublin) 353.40; 10. Michael Flamm (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) 350.0; 11. Ryan Levant (CB West) 322.45; 12. Sam Ricci (Spring-Ford) 307.90; 13. Jared Seehusahai (CHH) 291.60.
District 1-2A Championships
Top Diver Qualifies for PIAA’s
1. Brandon Bush (Upper Moreland) 427.20; 2. Brendan Moran (Upper Moreland) 308.45.
