Now that Freedom diving coach Mark Parry has one year under his belt with the Patriots, his expectations are high for four returners and two newcomers this season.

Returning divers are senior Paige Anderson, junior Natasha Tiffany, and sophomores Hayden Taylor and Cody Smith.

“Our program had a lot of success over the last year,” Coach Parry said. “Natasha finished 10th in the district, and Hayden took bronze at the District XI Championship Meet. This was enough to help Hayden become an alternate for the PIAA Girls 3A State Diving Championship at Bucknell University in which Hayden was fortunate enough to compete and placed 17th. Cody finished 11th at the District XI Championship Meet after having a strong showing at the EPC meet a few weeks before.”

Parry said that this year’s expectations have been raised exponentially.

“I would like to see Hayden take the gold this year at the District XI meet and Cody to take a podium spot, as well as the rest of my divers finishing within the top 10 in the district,” he said.

The Patriots’ new divers are senior John Lowey and freshman Griffin Kleinle.

“Griffin will be participating in multiple swimming events as well as diving to help bolster the strength within the swim team. He has been working hard, both on and off the boards, attending swim practice right after school; then staying after for diving practice. His hard work does not go unnoticed,” said Parry.

During the offseason, Taylor and Smith trained with the Nazareth Blue Eagle program while Lowey trained with the Stones Crossing program.

“I have to thank the Nazareth Blue Eagle swim team for allowing them to train within their program,” Parry said. “Cody trained hard, learning a multitude of new dives, and Hayden returned to Blue after recovering from a slight injury. Their progress and growth has been immense, and they are proving to be strong front-runners within the PIAA this season.”

Parry will look to Taylor, Smith, and Tiffany to be leaders within the diving team, helping to motivate the newer Patriot divers to reach a level of excellence that will qualify them for districts.

“I also expect the divers to give it their all during dual meets in order to help our swim team achieve victory throughout the season,” he said. “I am looking forward to continuing building this amazing diving program within the Freedom community, as well as working alongside my fellow coaches Alexa Kutch and Erin Wetmore, to create a competitive yet welcoming and inclusive atmosphere surrounding the entire swimming and diving team as a whole.”