Sophomore Carter Wells stands beside his team-mate Kobe Yuyi on the podium at the 2025 WPIAL 3a Diving Championship. Kobe finished in 6th place at the conclusion of his senior year while Carter has earned another day of competition by grabbing the 4th position with a score of 499.2. The Pennsylvania State Finals will take place at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on March 15, 2025.
See the 2025 WPIAL 3a boys’ diving final scoring summary here
This is the second appearance for Wells at the Western Pennsylvania District 7 championship, Yuyi has made three appearances in his time at USC as well. Last year, the entire team of six divers qualified for the WPIAL final; this year, the entire team of 5 varsity divers qualified once again. It is becoming a habit under second year coach, and former college coach, Todd Hillman.
USC made a splash when Carter qualified for the WPIAL final as a freshman along with his fellow freshman Livia Tranquilli in the 2023-24 season; both finished 9th respectively in the boys and girls 3a championships. Each of the six USC divers qualified for the championship that season and, with the exception of one scratch for injury, each diver finished inside the top ten. This year’s result are even more impressive with each diver finishing on the podium and Carter Wells standing as only the third state qualifier in the history of the Panthers Diving Program.
Wells had a fabulous season by all measures, breaking pool records at two different schools and setting the Upper St Clair all time boys’ record three times; twice for the 6-dive list and once again by setting the 11-dive record with his score of 499.2 at WPIAL.
Ethan Maravich of North Allegheny took the top spot, Jackson Hagler of Fox Chapel took second place, Maclom Thompson of Mount Lebanon stood on the third rung, Carter Wells of Upper St Clair in fourth, Anthony Farrah of North Allegheny in fifth place, Kobe Yuyi of Upper St Clair in sixth, Sebby Wolf of North Hills grabbed the seventh spot, leaving Gosha Pistsov to round out the podium positions at eighth.
Coach Todd Hillman and his diver Carter Wells will travel to Bucknell University for the March 15th Diving Championship along with a variety of swimmers who will also complete in various 3a state events for Upper St Clair under the leadership of Head Swimming Coach Dave Schraven.