Blackhawk, Derry divers medal at PIAA Class 2A championships

By: Michael Love
Friday, March 15, 2024 | 5:23 PM

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Blackhawk senior Brecken Finkbeiner and Derry junior Jacob Hauser finished 1-2 at the WPIAL Class 2A diving championships Feb. 23 at North Allegheny.

The standout duo, both diving at the PIAA championships for the third time, led the seven-diver WPIAL contingent Friday afternoon at Bucknell University’s Kinney Nataorium.

Finkbeiner captured his third state medal in as many years as he placed third overall with 414.85 points. He scored 123.50 point over his final three dives to bump up one spot in the final standings.

“I felt pretty good going into the finals (dives nine through 11),” Finkbeiner said. “I wouldn’t have been upset with fourth, but I am glad I was able to move up one spot. That back twister was a key dive for me. That is one that I normally score a lot of points from. I knew I needed to execute that well.”

Finkbeiner placed fourth last year and sixth in 2022.

The competitors faced a number of delays because of technical difficulties with the PIAA’s meet system. When everything was fixed, Finkbeiner, Hauser and others kept their focus as they moved through the latter rounds.

Hauser finished sixth overall. He tallied 116.35 points over his final three dives to earn his first WPIAL medal. He was 12th last year and 16th in 2022.

“I felt I dove great today,” Hauser said. “It was definitely better than last year, and that was my goal. It’s great to come back here knowing what to expect with that experience.

“The delays were a little annoying, but it just comes down to staying focused and staying warmed up.”

South Park sophomore Grant Newel scored 338.80 points for 11th overall, the same position in which he finished last year.

Indiana sophomore Austin Schawl finished one spot behind Newel in 12th (332.40), while West Allegheny senior Caleb Gnoth wrapped up his high school diving career with a 13th-place finish (323.70).

All seven WPIAL divers advanced past the first round. Finkbeiner (191.75) led the contingent in fourth, just 17 points out of first place.

Hauser (177.00) was in sixth.

The competition field was trimmed to 16 after the second round – through the eighth dive.

Finkbeiner score 99.60 points in dives six through eight and remained in fourth.

Hauser tallied 93.40 points and remained in medal contention in sixth.

Schawl entered the final round in 12th (238.60), Newel was 13th (237.15), and Gnoth was 16th (227.65).

Northgate senior Ryan Hartle, (17th), Indiana junior Matthew Blystone (19th), and Connellsville sophomore William Gillott (20th) were eliminated after their eighth dives.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.