Penn-Trafford diver Kalik eyes WPIAL title
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Monday, February 19, 2018 | 4:06 PM
A recent loss stung so much, Penn-Trafford junior Paige Kalik is determined to come back at the WPIAL Class AAA girls diving championship meet Saturday at North Allegheny.
“My goal is to compete better than I did at the WCCA championships,” Kalik said. “I felt I didn't dive as well as I could have that day.”
Kalik placed second to Latrobe senior Taylor Miller at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association championship Jan. 26 at Derry.
Miller, an Ohio University recruit, ranks first so far this season in the WPIAL in the 1-meter event for six dives (309.75).
Hampton senior Adrienne White (284.03) and Kalik (277.45) rank second and third, respectively.
Kalik expects spirited competition for the WPIAL title.
“Taylor, Adrienne and I are around the same skill level,” Kalik said.
Kalik, who placed fifth last season, said confidence will be key.
“To prepare, I am working on making my harder dives more consistent,” she said.
Penn-Trafford swimming coach Dave Babik said the program never has had a WPIAL girls diving champion.
“Paige has been diving really well,” he said. “She has gained more experience and has worked very hard to get where she is.”
Penn-Trafford junior Logan Sherwin looks to be among top competitors at the WPIAL boys championship.
Sherwin, who ranks fifth in the WPIAL (316.10), said his goal is to make it to states.
The top five boys finishers and the top five girls finishers advance to the PIAA championships in March at Bucknell.
Sherwin barely missed qualifying last season.
“I have been working to sharpen my harder dives,” Sherwin said. “There is a solid group of guys at the top this year.”
Babik has high hopes for Sherwin and Kalik.
“Both kids have been a pleasure to work with,” Babik said. “Mark Martini, our diving coach, has done a great job helping them.”
The Warriors' last WPIAL boys diving title was in 2016, when Joe Ference repeated as champion.
Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.
Tags: Penn-Trafford
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