FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – It was a banner evening for Tamaqua divers at North Schuylkill’s natatorium Friday at the Schuylkill League Diving Championships, where Mia Jones and Vincenzo Valentine each won gold for the Blue Raiders.

Jones was elated to say the least.

“It feels really good, I’ve been working hard this season,” said Jones.

Jones knew all day long she had to be herself.

“I needed to stay calm and worry about my dives,” she explained. “I was a little nervous, I knew I had to stay calm. Just worry about myself, that’s all I can do.”

Jones had four dives of over 30 points, showcasing her consistency in the event. The senior said her reverses are a little “iffy” sometimes, and “what happens, happens.”

“My one-and-a-half is one of my best dives,” she added.

Surely, it showed, as she posted some fantastic numbers on her final try; 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5 and a sterling 8.

Ironically, she said: “I save my best dive for last.”

Jones started to asset herself after the third dive trailing Blue Mountain’s Kamryn Moran 95.20-93.55. Jones was also facing a stiff test from North Schuylkill’s Joyce Burian, who scored 89,25.

Then on her fourth dive, Jones registered a score of 30.5 to nudge past Moran, who fell behind the Tamaqua diver, 125.05-114.20.

Jones sealed the gold medal over her next two dives to outdistance the competition and finish with a mark of 192.10. Moran was second with a 180,65, while Burian recorded a 170.90.

“I’m very proud of both of them,” said Tamaqua diving coach Lisa Trubilla.

Jones and Valentine each shined through their six dives.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Trubilla said of Valentine. “He learned his reverse just three weeks ago, and he is only a sophomore. (Vinny) improved every week”

Jones has enjoyed a stellar season, and was second in the event at last year’s league diving championships.

“She puts me on edge sometimes. But she did really well today,” said Trubilla. “All season she kept doing her personal best.”

Trubilla said the key to the event was staying the course.

“I had a talk with the two of them, and I told them they had to relax,” she said. “Let’s have fun!”

To be sure, Valentine was relaxing.

“In the past I’d worry about making a mistake, and that would affect me,” Valentine said. “As the (season) went on, I learned to just stay focused and not worry about any (negative) thoughts.”

Valentine took advantage of a situation when Pottsville’s Adam Klinger, the other competitor in the boys event, stumbled with a dive managing just 2s across the board by the five judges, opening the door for Valentine.

Valentine scored a 144.65, while Klinger scored 138.20. Valentine’s only slip up came on his fifth dive, scoring 4.5 across the board, while the judges were posting scores of 5.5, 5.5, 6.0, 5.5 and 6.0 to allow the Crimson Tide diver to makeup some ground.

By that time, Valentine was leading 125.15-112.70 before the sixth and final dive would occur.

“I was a little scared coming in because our scores were really close,” Valentine said about holding off Klinger. “I lucked out there were only two of us competing,”

DAY II

… The swimming portion of the competition takes place today at Pottsville’s Martz Hall, with schools vying for a chance to claim gold.

NEW FORMAT

... In the past, competitors had 12 dives, but that number was cut back to six, which is the format the PIAA uses.