Five NP divers earn All-American honors
Knights were at their best in the biggest meets
Even before Bryce Hoch heads off to Penn State in the fall, the standout diver from North Penn has already been recognized on a national level — twice.
Hoch was one of five Knights divers to land a spot on the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association/Speedo All-American Diving Team, following a season in which the group put on a show at the PIAA Championships.
“It feels great,” said Hoch, whose three-meter dive list grew substantially the past two seasons. “For your skill set to be recognized on a national level is quite an honor.
“I definitely got a lot better this year. There were certain dives that I really got the hang of and tried to perfect.”
Hoch, earning the distinction for the second straight season, dove to silver-medal honors at PIAA’s. State Champion Paige Burrell, a rising junior for the Knights, also earned All-American honors for the second year in a row and — in his final season of diving —
“For your skill set to be recognized on a national level is quite an honor.” — North Penn’s Bryce Hoch
photography major Ian Boland Bintner capped a stellar career at North Penn with his fourth straight AllAmerican selection.
Meghan Wenzel and Madalyn Freece each earned the honor as freshmen this past year for the Knights.
“It’s a great showcase,” Hoch said. “Especially this year at states, where it really showed how diving can change the placement in the team scoring.”
Due to snow, the diving events were held a week later this year, and the performance of the Knights divers lifted their team greatly.
With Burrell, Wenzel and Freece all medaling and placing first, third and eighth, the NP girls rose to second in the state. Hoch’s silver and Boland Bintner’s 11th-place finish catapulted the boys to third in the team standings.
“It was awesome for it to come down to the diving,” said Hoch, whose explosiveness on the boards helped power him to 481.20 points at Bucknell.
Hoch also captured his second straight district title this past winter, perfectly excuting his old standbys while also nailing his back two and a half and gainer two and a half.
“(This past season) could really build me up,” the NP grad said. “(North Penn diving) coach Kyle Goldbacher really pushed me to my full potential.”
Boland Bintner polished off a terrific career for the Knights, Burrell, Wenzel and Freece all return for NP in the winter and Hoch heads to Happy Valley.
“It should be a lot of fun. The team was really welcoming, I really connected with the coach and it just went from there,” the future Big 10 competitor said.
With all he’s accomplished, there still could be plenty more ahead.
Said Hoch of his diving career: “It’s all up from here.”
Also receiving All-American honors out of the Suburban One League were Quakertown’s Bayne Bennett and Sam Henninger on the boys side and Quakertown’s Taylor Bennett for the girls.