November was going to be a great month for high school divers from Freedom, Liberty, Bethlehem Catholic, and Moravian Academy.

“All the girls came back very eager because things stopped so abruptly in March,” said Coach Emily Kocis.

Becahi sophomore Anna Petke and Moravian Academy junior Alexa Fegley hadn’t even left home for the PIAA State Class 2A Diving Championships on March 12 at Bucknell University when the meet was shut down because of the coronavirus.

“We were very bummed and disappointed,” Kocis said. “We had a little hope at first because they were talking about possibly rescheduling.”

Hopes dashed in March, new hope sprang in November.

“Actually, everything was going very well,” said Kocis after four practices.

This is Freedom divers Sarah Gill and Cailin Connelly’s senior year, and Gill is primed to be at the top of her game.

“I definitely do have high hopes for Sarah. She’s very poised to be (3A) district champ and do well at states,” Kocis said.

Fegley is the defending district champ in 2A, and being back on the board last month was proving to be a huge positive in her life.

Liberty sophomore Keller Pooley returned to the diving team with new physical strength from weightlifting and running.

So when the Bethlehem Area School District suspended its winter sports season for all student athletes until Jan. 11, it was upsetting for the diving five.

“I talked to everyone after they were told at school, and the girls were disappointed and pretty confused,” Kocis said. “They were upset that their friends from other schools could practice, but they couldn’t.”

The Blue Eagles Swim and Dive Club in Nazareth is available to the girls, but only Gill has been there regularly.

Coach Kocis would like to see Bethlehem’s high school athletes return on Jan. 4, the date on which Gov. Tom Wolf will lift his latest restrictions regarding sports practices and competitions for students in grades K through 12.

“Being with friends and teammates has an impact on the athletes, emotionally and psychologically,” Kocis said. “From a social standpoint, it’s important to have that for their overall well-being.”