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South Western's Andrew Feeser and West York's Erica Sarver win gold



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Erica Sarver did not get a chance to dive in many meets during the recent YAIAA regular season, because so many teams do not have diving any longer.

Even Sarver's home pool at the Graham Aquatic Center doesn't have a diving board.

Despite the limited competition, the sophomore from West York looked right at home on the board at Central York during Wednesday's YAIAA diving championships.

Sarver totalled 427.85 points to win the championship in impressive fashion, finishing 28.05 points ahead of club teammate Lindsey Pope of Northeastern.

"I am very happy with how I did," Sarver said. "I came in here and said if I am in the zone and stay in the zone I'll do fine."

Speaking of feeling at home, a year ago, South Western senior Andrew Feeser won the YAIAA title. On Wednesday, he made sure nothing changed in 2015, winning again with his score of 367.00.

"It feels great," Feeser said. "The experience last season and the camp I went to over the summer helped a lot."

Feeser topped Central's Garrett Sommer, who earned a silver medal with 308.55. Dover's Jamie Kohler was third in 300.40.

Sarver, who placed eighth in Class AA in the PIAA meet last season, after a second-place finish at districts, missed the pool record by less than five points.

Pope of Northeastern made sure to keep Sarver from pulling too far away. Pope's 40.95 points in the 10th round cut Sarver's lead to less than 18 points heading into the final dive. But Sarver finished strong. Maison Hammen of South Western was third with 369.00.

New Oxford won its first YAIAA diving medal on Racheal Groden's 311.85 performance. The feat is perhaps even more impressive considering that Groden will return to Central on Thursday and Friday as a part of the Colonials' team that will compete at the two-day YAIAA swimming championships.

Groden is New Oxford's first diver to qualify for the District 3 championships.

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YAIAA swimming and diving championships live blog

YAIAA diving championship at Central York

Girls' — 1. Erica Sarver, West York, 427.85, 2. Lindsey Pope, Northeastern, 399.80, 3. Maison Hammen, South Western, 369.00, 4. Racheal Groden, New Oxford, 311.85, 5. Emily Salter, Central York, 307.85, 6. Madeline Wentz, Dallastown, 293.45, 7. Morgan Johnston, Dallastown, 288.90, 8. Lauren Williamson, Northeastern, 272.70, 9. Gabrielle Heilman, South Western, 263.25, 10. Madi Herman, Dover, 199.60, 11. Sophia Trettel Spring Grove, 195.40, 12. Sophie Barnes, Dover, 189.90, 13. Courtney Seitzinger, Central York, injury withdraw; Boys — 1. Andrew Feeser, South Western, 367.00, 2. Garrett Sommer, Central York, 308.55, 3. Jamie Kohler, Dover, 300.40, 4. Joseph Writer, Northeastern, 297.55, 5. Nick Cappella, Central York, 289.90, 6. Giantonio DeFelice, Dallastown, 268.65, 7. Dustin Jones, Dallastown, 252.95, 8. Josh Freeze, Northeastern, 252.40, 9. Gabe Dimisa, New Oxford, 220.30.