WILKES-BARRE — In the field of five Class 2A boys divers, Tunkhannock had two: Sawyer Aitken and Hunter Whytashek.

The duo goes back years, having been friends for over 10 years. So it was no surprise when Aitken took second and Whytashek took third, both finishing behind West Scranton’s Michael Bruno.

“We’ve grown up together and then all of the sudden we’re diving together. It’s a brother-bond that’s not going to go anywhere,” Whytashek said.

Both divers were happy to have improved on their finishes from last year’s meet, when Aitken nabbed bronze and Whytashek came in fourth. But for Aitken, Saturday was a chance at redemption.

The junior failed one of his dives last year. So he brought a razor-sharp focus to the championship this time around.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Aitken finished with a 391.55, less than 50 points behind the two-time district champion.

“I did way better than last year. I’m just happy, really happy,” Aitken said. “Mike Bruno’s a great diver and I knew we were close. I knew he was going to beat me. I knew that, but I was like, ‘I might as well come out here, have fun, do my dives.’ More focused on instead of me beating him, more focused on me beating myself.”

Even though Whytashek made improvement on his performance from last winter. He knew there was still much more left in the tank.

The junior was dealing an injury during the meet and didn’t have the opportunity to go to camps during the summer like he would have wanted to.

“This year I definitely improved to the most I could of,” Whytashek said. “I didn’t do as good as I planned on doing. I’ve been having some leg problems, but I did better than I did last year and I plan on keep going.”

Considering Aitken was the one who got Whytashek into diving, he believes his friend has a high ceiling moving forward. Especially since it will only be his third season competing for the Tigers.

“Last year, it was his first year. It was a little rough,” Aitken said. “This year he came back, so much improvement. His form, his feel in the air, it’s so much better. I’m so happy that we went two, three today.”

With states less than a month away, taking place March 16 at Bucknell University, Aitken is looking to once again improve on last year’s finish. He came in 14th last time around and is looking for a top-10 finish this year, if not a medal.

Dallas’ Robbie Lauer finished fifth with a score of 166.40.

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 2A DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

PL`Name`School`Score

1.`Michael Bruno`West Scranton`438.70

2.`Sawyer Aitken`Tunkhannock`391.55

3.`Hunter Whytashek`Tunkhannock`258.45

4.`Jake Werle`Elk Lake`204.65

5.`Robbie Lauer`Dallas`166.40

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TTL-02162017-Dallas-vs-Tunkhamnnck-swim-5_CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpg

By DJ Eberle

djeberle@timesleader.com

Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle