Diving: Suffern's Leale does first for the program at NYSPHSAA championships
Suffern junior Luke Leale did something no Mounties diver, male or female, has ever done on Friday night at Ithaca College.
The reigning Section 1 and Rockland County champion won the program's first-ever NYSPHSAA championship.
"Words cannot express how happy I am after competing and winning the state championship," Leale said. "After last year, I came into the meet with my sights set on gold."
He won the title by scoring 504.60 points. Tristan Yang of Section 8's Jericho finished second with 500.55 points. Truman Remenicky of Section 3's Central Square finished third scoring 459.10 points.
More: Section 1 divers finish top six at NYSPHSAA championships
Leale was .25 points away from winning a Federation title, which was won by Matthew Wong of the PSAL's Francis Lewis High School with a score of 504.85 points.
Saving his hardest dive for last, Leale needed to hit a reverse two and a half somersault in the tuck position in order to win. He didn't know if he pulled it off until he resurfaced.
Luke Leale is New York public high school state champ!!!! pic.twitter.com/wNg8HExlhk
— suffernaquatics (@suffernaquatics) March 1, 2024
"It wasn't until I heard Coach Jen (Ullman) screaming and laughing where I realized the magnitude of my performance," Leale said. "The competition was intense, but despite the pressure, I kept reminding myself of all the hard work me and Coach Jen have been putting in this season."
The magnitude of what a first-time state championship means to the Suffern athletic program is something that's not lost on Leale.
"There's so much pride within Mountie sports," he said. "I'm ecstatic to contribute with a state championship and add to a long tradition of athletic achievements."
In the case of way-too-early predictions, Leale has set some lofty goals for his senior season.
"I look forward to returning next year and defending my title," Leale said. "With greater determination, bigger dates and higher difficulty."
Two other divers competed for Section 1. Scarsdale's Noam Tiomkin placed ninth (409.8) in the state and Greeley's Jonas Balcetis placed 27th.
Section 1 swimming off to good start
In the morning session of the NYSPHSAA championships, swimming competition got underway. Section 1 swimmers got off to a good start, led by reigning Section 1 and state champion Horace Greeley.
Greeley got the ball rolling in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:33.0, a time that's in consideration for All-American status and also set the new NYSPHSAA record. The relay will be the top seed in Saturday's final.
Quakers senior Erik Nadecki will be the top seed in the 200-individual medley. His time of 1:50.14 is in consideration for All-American status.
The Quakers' 400 freestyle relay will be the top seed in the event in a time of 3:07.54. That time is also in consideration for All-American status.
Zach Arnold of the combined Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Pleasantville/Westlake/Valhalla, also known as the Thundercats, will be the top seed in the 500 freestyle. His time of 4:31.92 is in consideration for All-American status.
The NYSPHSAA and Federation championships conclude Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. at Ithaca College.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Diving: Suffern diver wins program's first ever NYSPHSAA title
