Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CONVERSE -ÊFour local boys traveled to Oak Hill High School for the diving regional Tuesday night in Converse.
Tippecanoe Valley's Matt Eby, Warsaw's Will Kretsch and Wawasee's Simon Beer and Dexter Anglin took to the boards Tuesday and represented the Wawasee Sectional.
After eight dives, the field was reduced to 12 divers, and Kretch and Beer made the cut.
When all was said and done, Kretsch placed ninth with a total score of 339.05.
However, the top eight divers advance to the state finals, and Kretsch missed the state contest by just 3.7 points to Zionsville's Brian Rabb who scored 342.75 points.
"Will was knocked out of the state meet by three points," said Warsaw coach Terry Aukeman. "Overall he dove really well. I know that he is disappointed that he won't be going to state, but he has nothing to be ashamed of. He was consistent all night."
Kretsch was the highest-placing local finisher, but Wawasee had a pair of divers who competed in the tough regional contest as well. Beer led the Warrior charge by placing 12th overall with a score of 307.05. After his preliminary dives, Beer had 144.15 points, and after the semifinals he had 239.70.
Warrior Anglin just missed a spot in the regional finals, placing 13th with a score of 212.85. His first dives totalled 143.65 points.
"I thought our guys did a really nice job tonight," said Wawasee coach Roger Karns. "This is a very competitive regional, and to place 12th and 13th with this level of competition, is great. They did very well and I am very proud of them."
The other local competitor, Eby, finished the night with a score of 192.95, good enough to place 19th. After his preliminary set of dives, he had 131.85 points.
Of the eight divers advancing to the state competition, three hailed from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne. Homestead's Daniel Frebel won the regional with a score of 447.05.
The diving state finals will take place Saturday in Indianapolis.
OAK HILL DIVING REGIONAL
1. Daniel Frebel (Homestead) 447.05
2. Caleb Bye (Jay County) 425.50
3. Cameron Hansbarger (Homestead) 365.10
4. David Peircy (Homestead) 361.00
5. Scott Goff (Hamilton Hts.) 359.30
6. Ian Comstock (Bellmont) 352.25
7. Jared Reardon (Nobelsville) 347.95
8. Brian Rabb (Zionsville) 342.75
9. Will Kretsch (Warsaw) 339.05
10. Jeff Manning (Carroll) 323.10
11. Nick Bledsoe (Western) 317.05
12. Simon Beer (Wawasee) 307.05
13. Dexter Anglin (Wawasee) 212.85
14. Brad Kirk (McCutcheon) 210.90
15. Kyle Milholland (Norwell) 208.75
16. Brett Poetz (Harrison) 207.05
17. Brad Lose (Snider) 200.90
18. Justin Grisler (Logansport) 197.75
19. Matt Eby (Tippecanoe Valley) 192.95
20. Matt Peterson (Jay County) 188.40
