It really wasn’t that long ago when the Emmaus diving program struggled to compete against most other teams in the area. They would have an occasional strong showing, but consistency was a main issue. Lately though, that has all changed and that was evident Saturday during the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Diving meet held at Emmaus.

While Steven Stasolla of Nazareth pretty much stole the show and finished first, Emmaus divers finished second and third, battling each other throughout the meet. In the end, it was freshman Brendan McCourt finishing second, with senior Andrew Vanim just behind him in third place.

The battle between the two divers couldn’t be friendlier, with each standing on the deck rooting for the other one to do well. Both admit that they’ve probably won about half of the meets that they’ve competed in, with the other one finishing ahead in the other half. The rivalry – if you can call it that – is very much like brothers going up against each other.

“I just love competing with him, because you never know who’s going to win,” said Vanim. “He’s a great kid and is awesome at diving and I can’t wait to see him in the future. He’s like my little brother, I couldn’t ask for any better teammates, whether it’s on the swim team or diving, and Brandon’s just great to compete with.”

At least one of the two divers was in the top three throughout the 11 dives. Vanim was out of the top three going into the seventh dive of the day when he put together his second best score of the day, with a 50.40 that moved him into second place and knocked McCourt out of the top three. From there though, it was McCourt who put on a charge, being awarded a 52.80 on his ninth dive and a 54 on his final dive to edge Vanim by 13.45 points in the meet.

“It’s a little intimidating, because most of the top finishers are seniors and juniors, and Steven [Stasolla] is so good,” said McCourt. “It’s a little tough coming in as a freshman and having a new start to everything.

“With Andrew being a senior and me being a freshman, it’s a great time to come in. He’s so good at helping his teammates and it’s like a duel between us each meet and it’s good to have someone to look up to.”

The meet, coming in midseason, serves as a gauge for divers as to where they’re at in comparison to other divers in the EPC. Stasolla is a perennial favorite and will be difficult to catch, but neither of the Emmaus divers are conceding anything as they continue to train for not only the conference championship on Feb. 11, but also districts, and hopefully, a spot in states.

“It’s a way of kind of seeing where you’re at and what you have to work on,” said Vanim. “Plus, it’s fun to just get everybody together and see each other and compete like this.”

The senior diver has been a big part of the resurgence of diving at Emmaus, qualifying for states two years ago and coming up just short of a return trip to states last season. This season, while Vanim is hoping to be back at Bucknell University competing in the PIAA Championships in March, he’s focusing on what he can do to help his team.

“That’s obviously the goal,” said Vanim of a return to states. “In the end though, you just have to work hard and help your team and Brendan and I will be pushing each other, so I feel good about our team and the rest will take care of itself.”

As a younger diver, McCourt is a little more focused on simply learning the ropes and taking in as much as he can from his teammate.

“This was a great experience today and it should take some of the nervousness away when the championships roll around,” said McCourt. “I feel like there’s so much more to experience in this first season and I’m just going to keep working and see what comes up next.”

Emmaus did not have any girls divers competing at Saturday’s meet.