Sophomore Chris Lehman will represent Parkland High School next month at the PIAA Diving Championships at Bucknell University. Lehman topped the field of 11 divers in the Class AA boys competition, with a final score of 443.30 in the 11-dive meet.

Freshman Kelsey German, who finished with a score of 461.55, just missed a spot in states, finishing third on the girls side, behind Emmaus' Jess Hurlburt (509.30) and Easton's Kelsey Jehl (487.10).

German closed the gap over her final two dives, but wasn't able to catch Jehl, a senior, who won the event last year.

"I thought that I did well," said German. "The competition was hard and they all did really well."

Lehman finished third at the event last season, comprising a Parkland threesome that swept the top three spots in districts, with Josh Anderson finishing first and John Hansell placing second. Parkland lost Anderson to graduation and Hansell finished fourth this season.

"I was more relaxed and just having fun," said Hansell. "That's what I did last year and it worked, but this year people have gotten better and it didn't work out."

The path to the top spot wasn't exactly an easy one for Lehman, who led after the first round of dives, but then dropped to second after the second round. Lehman stayed perched in second, behind Emmaus' Andrew Vanim through eight rounds, when the diving order was reshuffled.

Prior to the ninth dive, Vanim had been diving before Lehman and Nazareth's Steven Stasoloa, but because of the standings in the meet, he was forced to dive after his competitors on the final three dives. Vanim admitted after the meet that the change did contribute to some nerves, which opened the door for Lehman.

Lehman captured first place in the ninth round and held on the rest of the way for the win. Stasoloa passed Vanim on the final dive to finish second and capture the remaining spot in the PIAA Championships.

Coming into the meet, Lehman was hoping for a spot in states after falling just short last season and seeing two of his teammates head off to Bucknell.

"I knew that I would be close to the top and that the top two go to states, so that was really helping me," said Lehman. "I know there's a possibility that a third person could go to states, but I just wanted to avoid that third spot."

One of the keys for Lehman came early on in the meet when he realized he had put himself in a good position with some strong early dives, which added to his confidence.

"I wasn't expecting to beat a few people that I did and that really motivated me at the beginning when I was beating them, when I wasn't expecting to," said Lehman. "That really pushed me through the whole competition."

Other Parkland divers competing in districts were Serena Johnson, who finished fourth with a score of 443.45, Maddie Poremsky (349.20) and Dana Emswiler (313.35). On the boys side, Jose Jimenez (310.05) and Devin Cahill (306.75).

The PIAA Class AAA Diving Championships are scheduled for March 13-14.