West York's Erica Sarver takes home bronze at PIAA diving

LEWISBURG >> A year ago, West York's Erica Sarver was thrilled to finish eighth in the PIAA Class AA girls diving championships.

It made sense. After all, she was only a freshman.

But entering her second state championship, Sarver brought an entirely different mindset to the competition, and was ready to rise to a higher spot on the podium.

She did that, and even jumped up the ladder as Wednesday's competition rolled along. In fourth place for much of the event, including after the semifinals, Sarver finished strong, taking home a bronze medal with 411.20 points, only .10 out of second place.

Sarver was thrilled with her performance in the event won by Taylor Hockenberry of Mars Area, who totaled 426.75, saying.

"I feel amazing," Sarver said. "My goal this year was top-five and I got third, that's awesome."

Just missing out on the medal stand was Northeastern junior Lindsey Pope, who placed 10th with points, only 1.3 points away from an eighth-place medal.

For someone that didn't even reach districts last season, Pope is thrilled to close her season on a high note.

Sarver was anywhere from third to fifth during the competition, but made a late push. She scored 44.4 points on her last dive, putting the pressure on Brittany Hart of Riverside. Although Hart's final effort secured a silver medal by the smallest of margins, Sarver wasn't upset.

"I am really excited. After my last dive I did, then my coach told me what she needed to dive and she got that," Sarver said.

As the reigning District 3 AA champ, Sarver relied on her big-meet experience.

"I worked really, really hard this season and I was just hoping for the best and this was above my expectations," she said. "I was a little more hyped up for this. I had more experience and did what I needed to do. I just tried to stay in my zone. I am thankful for my coaches and everybody."