Dive: LeBerre Places Third in Region

Both divers representing Oakton High at the Northern Region Boys Dive Finals placed in the top 16 Wednesday, providing 20 points to the swim and dive team heading into the swim finals this weekend.

Joe LeBerre, a senior, placed third out of 28 divers, 10.6 points behind Cory Bowersox in second place and 30 points behind Carl Buergler in first. LeBerre qualified for the Virginia High School League Group AAA State Championship earlier in the season.

"I think I'll probably get third again [in states], but there's no telling what will happen," LeBerre said.

Both LeBerre and Cheryl Meltz, Oakton's dive coach, expect the top three regional qualifiers — Carl Buergler (Washington-Lee), Cory Bowersox (Robinson) and LeBerre — to fill out the top three spots at states, as well, with little competition coming from other regions in the state.

Though both predict LeBerre will rank third of the three, they will be working hard to give LeBerre his best chance at pulling off an upset.

"We'll be working on consistency and entries," Meltz said. "He's got to work on what we call 'shooting the entry' a little more."

Andy Berger, also a senior, placed 13th in his highest ranking in his three appearances in the Northern Region competition.

"This is the best I've ever seen Andy dive. I'm so proud of him," Meltz said.

The top six divers qualify for the VHSL Group AAA State Championship, along with any diver who meets the qualifying point total.

1. Carl Buergler, Washington-Lee, 491.40
2. Cory Bowersox, Robinson, 472.00
3. Joe LeBerre, Oakton, 461.40
4. Benjamin Schiesl, Woodson, 413.05
5. Eric Pavord, Woodson, 367.35
6. Matt Hubbard, Woodson, 366.20

*Hunter Simmons (358.00), of Yorktown, and Patrick McCann (349.20), of Annandale, met the qualifying point total with their seventh- and eighth-place finishes. Danny Rabe, of West Springfield, qualified for states prior to the region meet.