WILKES-BARRE — Wyoming Valley West freshman Sophia Ginocchetti is well aware of her family’s rich aquatics tradition.

Her father, Brian, won the PIAA Class 2A diving title for Bishop Hoban in 1995 and her mother, Liz (Daniels) was a standout swimmer at Meyers in 1997.

Oh, and Valley West swim coach Frank Tribendis recruited her father’s high school coach, Mike McGinley, to help out the cause this season.

At the end of the day, and even after a 26-hour delay due to safety concerns from Saturday’s inclement weather, Ginocchetti didn’t look much like a freshman Sunday at the District 2/4 Class 3A Regional Diving Championships. She handled the pressure of diving in her first championship — and second 11-dive meet of the season — to finish second in the District 2 meet and third in the region scoring a 386.77.

Williamsport’s Katie Cassidy (409.85 points) finished with the top overall score to win the region, while Delaware Valley’s Emma Burns (394.80) won the district title and finished second in the region.

Williamsport’s Warren Aungst (401.85) won the boys regional title and Abington Height’s Carter Smith (377.50) won the district title and came second overall.

“I never thought that going into my freshman year I would be second in districts and third overall,” Ginocchetti said. “It feels awesome to just go into districts and get second, and with my family history, it helps with my dad.

“(My dad) would give me pointers on all my dives, and he’d just say, ‘If I had a bad one, just move through it and stay confident throughout the whole thing.’”

Ginocchetti sat in fifth place with 270.55 points after eight rounds, and a little more than 10 points out of a spot inside the top three. But that didn’t phase her. Using the advice of her diving coach Karina Zabresky, Ginocchetti focused on only herself and not the divers in front of her.

Ginocchetti was able to erase the gap between herself and then third-place diver Cassie Longazel, from Hazleton Area, to grab third in the region. To climb up the standings, Ginocchetti scored two 40-point dives, including a 44.00, which was the top girls dive during the final three rounds.

“Coming into districts my mindset was very laid back,” Ginocchetti said. “I came into districts confident. It kind of remained the same throughout the meet.”

Sunday was special day for McGinley. After watching Brian Ginocchetti dive his way to a state title in March 1995, seeing Sophia dive to a second-place finish at her first district meet nearly 25 years later brought things full circle. It was also a sign of what’s to come.

“She’s willing to work hard, I think the sky’s the limit for her, but there’s always good competition around and it keeps you on your toes” McGinley said. “We’ll be working hard and hopefully we’ll be back here next year.”

In her final district championship, Longazel went out proud of her efforts. The senior improved on last year’s performance, finishing fourth in the district and fifth overall. Longazel finished fifth in the district and sixth in the region in 2016.

“My goal going into this meet was just be confident in yourself, be confident in your dives, support everyone and keep your head up,” Longazel said.

DISTRICT 2/4 CLASS 3A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Girls

PL`Name`School`Score

1.`Katie Cassidy`Williamsport`409.85

2.`Emma Burns`Delaware Valley`394.80

3.`Sophia Ginocchetti`Wyoming Valley`386.75

4.`Madi Osticco`Pittston Area`378.55

5.`Cassie Longazel`Hazleton Area`366.95

6.`Sydney Dana`Abington Heights`355.90

Boys

PL`Name`School`Score

1.`Warren Aungst`Williamsport`401.85

2.`Carter Smith`Abington Heights`377.50

3.`Jack Bower`Williamsport`367.85

4.`Jeremy Burns`Delaware Valley`269.25

Finishing second in the district, there is a lot of potential in the next three years for Wyoming Valley West freshman Sophia Ginocchetti (3) Sunday’s District 2/4 Class 3A Regional Championship at the Wilkes-Barre CYC. From left; Abington Heights’ Sydney Dana, Pittston Area’s Madi Osticco, Abington Heights’ Emma Burns, Williamsport’s Katie Cassidy, Ginocchetti, Hazleton Area’s Cassie Longazel and Wyoming Valley West’s Nadia Costigan. DJ Ebere | Times Leader
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Diving-3A-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFinishing second in the district, there is a lot of potential in the next three years for Wyoming Valley West freshman Sophia Ginocchetti (3) Sunday’s District 2/4 Class 3A Regional Championship at the Wilkes-Barre CYC. From left; Abington Heights’ Sydney Dana, Pittston Area’s Madi Osticco, Abington Heights’ Emma Burns, Williamsport’s Katie Cassidy, Ginocchetti, Hazleton Area’s Cassie Longazel and Wyoming Valley West’s Nadia Costigan. DJ Ebere | Times LeaderDJ Ebere | Times Leader

By DJ Eberle

djeberle@timesleader.com

Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle