District One Diving: PV’s Filzen dives to gold, big performances for North Penn, Souderton, Wissahickon
TOWAMENCIN — Perkiomen Valley’s Gabby Filzen put PV on the map when it comes to district diving while North Penn’s Keira Allison completed a rewarding, three-year journey.
The two were part of a big day for area divers at the District 1-3A Championships at North Penn’s Rick Carroll Natatorium Saturday afternoon.
“It feels really good. (PV) isn’t really known for diving so it feels good to bring a title back,” said a smiling Filzen, who wore the gold medal for a stellar performance that scored a 448.95.
Allison (fourth), Wissahickon’s Regan Santoro (seventh) and Souderton Area’s Avery Taylor (eighth) also earned PIAA bids in 3A while Upper Moreland’s Mickie Soroka (second) advanced out of 2A.
“I’ve known a lot of these girls for a while – some of them, I’ve even done gymnastics with, so it’s so exciting to be here with them and get to dive with them,” said Filzen, who edged Conestoga’s Avery Hillier (444.25) for the title. “States is like a month away but I’m so excited to go and get to compete and meet more people from the state to dive with.”
Filzen put together a terrific 11 rounds, highlighted by her front, two and a half pike.
“Finally hitting that, it was real exciting to do that in a meet,” the senior said. “This makes me really excited for my future, knowing I can complete my dives well and doing them the way I know how.”
Allison was on the doorstep of states last year.
She actually earned the silver a year ago, but due to the pandemic, only one diver advanced out of District One. The wait made Saturday particularly sweet for the junior.
“My freshman and sophomore year, I wasn’t so lucky,” she said with a smile. “But I came back and kept on working. Now here I am. My freshman year, that was a personal thing – I messed up my dive and hit the board. And then last year, I came in second. On a normal year, I would have went, but because of COVID, I didn’t get to. So this year, I knew there were gonna be eight people going, and I just came in and knew what I had to do. And I did it.”
Allison was on her game, scoring a 416.10.
“It feels great. I have so many friends here, people I’ve met over the years, people I’ve dived with on my club team, and it’s so great to have them all in one place and get to compete against them,” she said. “And just have fun. Coming in, I knew you’re gonna have some good dives, you’re gonna have some bad ones. But most importantly, you just gotta keep on going no matter what happens. And just do the best that you can.”
Allison moved up from fifth to fourth during the finals and nailed her back and a half pike.
“That one, I was pretty proud of that one,” she said. “I’d say (knowing a lot of the girls) helps. It calms the nerves and makes you more comfortable and you get to see your friends. It just makes it a more fun experience.”
Santoro of Wiss scored a 366.20 and Big Red’s Taylor compiled a 364.30.
Upper Moreland’s Soroka turned it on in the finals, moving up from third to second (347.90). She and Marple Newtown’s Alexandra Pastris (450.35) advanced out of Class 2A.
Gesing does it again — Friday night, Abington’s Conor Gesing scored a whopping 600.90 to pull off an amazing four-peat at the District 1-3A Boys Diving Championships.
Gesing outscored Central Bucks West’s Kevin Siegfried (461.0) for his fourth straight district gold.
Both punched their tickets to states, along with North Penn’s Joshua Gratton (fourth, 424.60) and Brady Stanton (sixth, 404.25), and Souderton Area’s Alex Martin (fifth, 409.85) and Oliver Milles (seventh, 403.75).
Upper Moreland is sending a dynamic duo in Class 2A, as Brandon Bush (446.85) and Brendan Moran (306.10) grabbed the gold and silver.
