Jackson Hagler kicked off the swimming and diving postseason on a positive note by securing the silver medal at last weekend’s WPIAL Class 3A Diving Championships. That achievement not only marks a personal accomplishment for Jackson but also contributes valuable points to the teams’ overall standings going into the swim portion of the championships.
Throughout the meet, Jackson battled two other divers, Ethan Maravich of North Allegheny and Malcolm Thompson of Mt. Lebanon, in a thrilling see-saw contest. The athletes exchanged leads throughout the entire competition.
In the end, Jackson, a four-time WPIAL qualifier, repeated his second-place finish from last year. He now advances to the PIAA Class 3A Diving Championships, at which he earned third place last year. Competing at Bucknell University, the site of the state meet and his future collegiate home, will give him a glimpse of what it will be like to dive there for the next four years.
Happy with WPIAL Performance
Entering the 2024-2025 WPIAL championships, Jackson had high hopes of claiming gold at WPIALs. His 11-dive standout performance included some impressive and difficult dives: his front 2 1/2 pike, reverse dive, front 1 1/2 double twist, and inward 2 1/2.
Jackson’s final score of 515.75 improved nearly 36 points from last year.
Additionally, teammate Gosha Pistov medaled in eighth place, and Finn Kress was eleventh. The girls also competed the same day, with Ainsley Anderson and Noelle Dick contributing valuable points going into the swim portion of the championships.
“I am very happy with my team’s performance as a whole, with six people (three boys and three girls) qualifying for WPIALs and two of us medaling,” says Jackson, captain of the boys diving team.
“I was pleased with my effort, but disappointed with the result,” Jackson says. “But I am proud of how I took control of the factors that I could control. For states, I want to include one of my dives that I didn’t use at WPIALs more consistent.”
Next Up
Jackson says, “I am mentally preparing myself for the fact that in this sport there are things that can’t be controlled. As long as I focus on the things that I can control, I can be proud of my performance. My goal is to place in the top three at states again this year.”
Head swimming coach Matt Mauclair was very pleased with how the divers performed and their contributions to the combined teams’ overall success going into the swim portion of WPIALs.
“The Foxes now go into the swimming portion in the closest position ever as a team,” says coach Mauclair. “This gives us a huge advantage and puts us ahead of some of the top teams in the WPIAL – six points ahead of Upper St. Clair, 20 ahead of Mt. Lebanon, and 30 ahead of Bethel Park.”
“Now it’s time for our swimmers to do their jobs!”