HS DIVING: West Scranton's Watkins, Abington Heights' Reese grab golds

Joby Fawcett, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·5 min read

Feb. 28—WILKES-BARRE — Victoria Watkins found the perfect way to finish off a brilliant performance.

On her final dive, the West Scranton junior stepped to the end of the springboard for her most challenging attempt, took a deep breath, combined athleticism and grace and barely created a ripple when she pierced the pool water at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center.

When Watkins emerged and gazed at the scoreboard, her score of 45.10 drew a loud round of applause from the small gathering of athletes and coaches in the building, pushed her overall total to a personal-best 413.05 and brought a smile to her face. The All-Region standout executed her dives and stormed to the District 2 Class 3A gold medal Saturday afternoon. It's the second straight title won by Watkins, who captured the Class 2A championship last season.

"I am extremely happy about my performance and beating my record," Watkins said. "I am really excited. I really just took each of my dives separately. I think I did pretty well on all of my dives and I am very excited to move forward with the season."

Abington Heights' James Reese earned the boys Class 3A gold, while Dallas' Mia Reinert won the girls Class 2A and Tunkhannock's Nicho Lachase repeated as the boys Class 2A champion. All four athletes advance to the champions-only PIAA meet at Cumberland Valley High School.

"I am really glad that I came in first, it was really nice and I worked really hard for this," Reese said. "I am really proud that I got this. We have two weeks until states, so I will work really hard for that and do my best there."

Watkins took command of the competition with back-to-back big scores and finished the first round with a 42.55 on a forward double somersault in the pike position with a degree of difficulty of 2.3. Remaining steady, she carded another score better than 40 on a back 1 1/2 somersault one-half twist and finished with her best effort on that final inward 1 1/2 somersault in the pike position that scored a 45.10.

"To beat my record was great, especially with the season we have had so far," Watkins said. "That was my goal. That is my favorite dive and that is my strongest dive, so that is why we put it last."

Tunkhannock's Ana Jerome finished second with a score of 323.80.

Reese closed the preliminary round with a 40.70 for his inward 1 1/2 somersault in the pike position that gave him the overall lead. Then, in the final round, he scored a 39.90 for a reverse 1 1/2 somersault in the tuck position and closed out with a 40.25 on a forward double somersault in the pike position to clinch the gold with a total of 354.30.

Delaware Valley's Zachary Madewell finished second with a score of 328.35.

"I am really happy that I got that," Reese said. "He was right on my heels."

Last year's District 2 Class 3A champion Jacob Wenzel of Delaware Valley withdrew with an injury prior to the competition.

Class 2ADallas' Reinert, Brianne Dempsey, Allyson Gattuso and Vegan O'Donnell were the only competitors for the Class 2A girls meet.

After an outstanding final round from all four, Reinert came away with the title with an overall score of 378.05. Dallas' performance also staked the team to a 52-point lead when the swimmers hit the pool at Delaware Valley High School next weekend.

"It was kind of a unique experience, because the divers were my teammates," Reinert said. "I think it was kind of great to dive with each and every one of them. I am excited that I won, but I am also excited with the way they performed and we took top 4 and got a lot of points toward the team score."

Lachase posted a score of 335.15 and held off Elk Lake's Zachary Shields, who scored a 311.75.

"I am pretty happy," Lachase said. "It was a pretty good meet."

Lachase, who scored a 304.10 last season, hit his best score on his final dive of the competition. His forward double somersault in the tuck position scored a 37.40. He also hit a 34.65 on a back 1 1/2 somersault one-half twist among his final three dives.

"I think I did a few dives really well and some were iffy," Lachase said. "I think the best dive I did was that back dive. I am looking forward to going back to the states."

District 2 Diving results

CLASS 2A

Girls

Mia Reinert (Dallas) 378.05

Brianne Dempsey (Dallas) 358.40

Allyson Gattuso (Dallas) 330.00

Vegan O'Donnell (Dallas) 309.00

Boys

Nicho Lachase (Tunkhannock) 335.15

Zachary Shields (Elk Lake) 311.75

CLASS 3A

Girls

Victoria Watkins (West Scranton) 413.05

Ana Jerome (Tunkhannock) 323.80

Victoria Willson (Delaware Valley) 279.10

Ashlyn Oliver (Delaware Valley) 272.90

Meghan McCawley (Pittston Area) 258.40

Boys

James Reese (Abington Heights) 354.30

Zachary Madewell (Delaware Valley) 328.35

Mark Nzasi (Abington Heights) 273.05

Steven Rizzo (Delaware Valley) 54.75*

* Did not finish (injury)

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @sportsTT on Twitter