WEXFORD — When Taylor Hockenberry took to the diving board at North Allegheny High School Saturday afternoon, she felt the weight of being a two-time WPIAL and PIAA girls champion.

But her score suggests it didn’t affect her performance.

The Mars senior posted a score of 505.90 to win her third district title, but first in Class AAA.

“Knowing other divers are looking at me as the one to beat definitely adds pressure,” said Hockenberry, “but win or lose, it’s not the end of the world.”

Hockenberry was nearly 40 points better than her nearest competitor, Hampton’s Adrienne White (467.55).

In the former’s own words, Saturday’s effort was not perfect.

“All of my dives could have been a little better, but I was happy that I was able to stay consistent,” said Hockenberry. “I like to start off with the easier dives. That helps me get into a rhythm and then I start into the harder ones.”

Hockenberry, a University of North Carolina recruit, took up diving at the end of her eighth-grade year. She reflected on what she has accomplished since then.

“I’m really happy with my four years at Mars,” she said. “They have helped me become a better person and diver. I have a good foundation and am excited to see where I can go from here.”

Hockenberry will next compete at the state championship meet at Bucknell University in mid-March.

Only one other Butler County diver qualified for the state event. Knoch freshman Aryanna Napora placed sixth (264.95) in the Class AA girls meet, held Friday at Moon High School.

“About three or four days before WPIALs is when I started to think that she had a chance to make states,” said Knoch coach Ken Bedford. “She injured her ankle before the season and has been dealing with that, but she dives the way she practices. She has made a ton of improvement.”