BUTLER TWP — Levi Cetti made his first trip to the state diving championship last year.

Butler’s junior has been working to make sure it’s not his last.

Cetti will take to the board Saturday in the WPIAL Class AAA boys diving championships at North Allegheny High School. He is seeded third with a score of 291.29. Pine-Richland’s Dominic Giordano, the defending champ, is the top seed (365.5), followed by North Hills’ Ryan Kennedy (299.3).

The top six finishers at this weekend’s event will advance to the state championship in March. After placing 12th in the WPIAL as a freshman in 2011, Cetti made the cut for states last year by placing fifth.

Butler coach Ken Bedford has been pleased with Cetti’s progress.

“He’s shown more improvement than I expected,” said Bedford. “Everyone expects (Giordano) to win the title, but second place is within reach for Levi. Consistency is the key for him.”

“I’m doing more difficult dives this year,” said Cetti. “My form and entry into the water have both improved. My goal is to get back to the state meet.”

Joining Cetti in the boys meet will be Butler teammate Lev McCollough, a freshman with a score of 163.75.

“Lev is also a gymnast and it took him a while to make the transition to diving,” said Bedford. “In gymnastics, things are based on strength. But in diving, you have to let the board do its work. In the last month or so, I have seen marked improvement in his dives. Everyone has said how much he has improved.”

Class AAA GirlsSeneca Valley senior Madison Lehman is in good position entering the meet, seeded fourth at 212.She placed 17th at WPIALs as a junior.“Madison has improved all of her dives since the start of the year,” said SV coach Jesse Rakovan. “She’s even mastered four new dives and I expect her to make the finals (top eight).”Rakovan is also high on sophomore Brooke Walters (176.03).“She’s done a terrific job,” he said. “When she puts her mind to something, she has great focus. I believe she will be in the 200 Club within the first couple of meets next year.”The lone Butler County freshman girl competing will be Butler’s Claire Weiland (176.75).“She’s another gymnast and is an unbelievable athlete,” Bedford said. “You can just see her natural ability.“Just being part of the WPIAL meet is a great experience for a freshman. You can’t coach that.”