Freedom High School sophomore, John McGinty, took fifth place with 317.75 points at the Class AAA District XI Diving Championships on Feb. 22 at Emmaus High School.

Parkland's Josh Anderson won the district title with 403.9 points, and Emmaus's Matt Bussiere placed just ahead of McGinty with 327.75 points.

"I was happy," said McGinty. "My first five dives were really good, but I didn't finish strong."

McGinty began with a forward dive straight, followed by a reverse one-and-a-half with a half twist.

"I got a good hurdle on the reverse one-and-a-half with a half twist. I usually don't twist enough or I under rotate, but I threw it really hard and lined it up, and I knew it was going to be a pretty good score," he said.

McGinty also did an inward one-and-a-half, a front one-and-a-half, and a back one straight during the first half of the 11-dive meet.

"After the first five dives, we took a break, and we got to practice during the break. I was doing the dives all right, but in the competition, I didn't do them too well. I started getting tired," McGinty said.

McGinty's final dive of the day was a front one somersault with a half twist.

"It was good, but it didn't get the scores I wanted," he said."

Overall, McGinty was pleased with his second season as a Patriot diver.

"I improved a lot. I'm getting more height and lining more dives up, so I'm happy with this season," said McGinty.