JACKSON TWP — Compared to a lot of his counterparts, Miles Miller arrived late to the sport of diving, but the Seneca Valley senior has made incredible progress.

Just two-and-a-half years after he began taking to the board, Miller is preparing to close his high school career at the PIAA championship meet, scheduled Wednesday at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium.

Miller earned a spot in the state event by placing fourth at the WPIAL meet last month with a score of 453.90.

He played a number of sports growing up, including baseball, soccer, track and field and cross country. None seemed to fit, but in the summer before his junior year, Miller took some diving lessons at Westminster College.

“I was planning on joining the diving team at Seneca and wanted to make sure I was prepared for varsity,” said Miller. “I went into that season with an open mind-set. I wanted to have fun and learn.”

Unlike many divers, who have a gymnastics background, Miller was starting from scratch.

“The twisting in the air and the body control you need to have to be a good diver, that was hard for me to get down at first,” he said.

Miller learned and improved enough that his junior season ended by earning a medal for placing eighth at WPIALs.

That success in a short amount of time had Miller thinking what else he was capable of, but he had already gained a passion for the sport.

“I fell in love with it and haven’t looked back,” he said. “To me, it’s such a fun sport and so different from anything else I had ever tried.”

SV coach Nancy Laslavic said Miller hasn’t performed like a diver with just two years of varsity experience under his belt.

“He finally found his sport and is such a graceful diver,” she said. “He’s done remarkably well and with the mechanics, he’s putting it all together.”

Miller has benefited from practicing with teammate Isaiah Clerkley, a fellow senior who recently won his second straight district crown and is currently ranked first in the state.

“He lets me know little things I need to correct,” said Miller, who is open to diving in college if the right situation presents itself. “He’s a great diver and his advice is a valuable resource for me.”

A berth in the state meet is Miller’s reward for his combination of natural talent and hard work. He plans to relish the experience regardless of his final standing.

“I don’t want to put lofty expectations on myself,” he said. “I want to have fun, hopefully do my best and see where I end up.”

Following are Butler County's Class 3A swimmers and divers who will be competing in the PIAA championship meet, scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.

Girls

Mars, Seneca Valley

200 medley relay: 13-Seneca Valley (Lena Rothrock, Katie Bookwalter, Bella Kling, Audrey Wolfe) 1:48.34

Diving: Emily Mueller (M) 390.55

200 freestyle relay: 21-Seneca Valley (Sasha Myers, Lena Rothrock, Audrey Wolfe, Morgan Baker) 1:39.51

100 backstroke: 23-Bella Kling (SV) 58.70

100 breaststroke: 17-Katie Bookwalter (SV) 1:05.59

400 freestyle relay: 16-Seneca Valley (Morgan Baker, Bella Kling, Alissa Wilson, Sasha Myers) 3:35.88

Boys

Butler, Seneca Valley

50 freestyle: 29-Keaton Matteson (B) 21.82

Diving: Isaiah Clerkley (SV) 583.35; Miles Miller (SV) 453.90