McDowell sophomore Bob Freeling qualified for the PIAA Class AAA boys diving competition as the District 10 champion. Freeling didn’t know what to expect when he left for Bucknell University.
Check that. He knew one thing.
Don’t expect any generous regular-season scores from the judges.
“You could tell that from the (AAA) girls competition,” Freeling said. “They threw low scores at everybody. The first seed qualified with (542.25 points) and she won with (460.65).”
Samantha Pickens of Franklin Regional defended her 1-meter title Wednesday. Pickens’ qualifying score was more than 25 points over the recognized state record of 517.20, set by Penn Hills’ Jennifer O’Brien in 1999.
PIAA swimming and diving records must be set at the state meet.
McDowell’s Kaitlyn Karl finished 18th Wednesday in her final scholastic meet. Freeling was glad that Karl, a two-time district champ, was part of the Trojans’ contingent.
“She really motivated me a lot through this whole time,” he said. “Not all the swimmers really know what’s going on (with diving). If you have another diver with you, it’s really helpful.”
Freeling finished 24th with 110.95 points. He began the meet seeded 22nd with his district-winning total of 323.85.

--- Mike Copper