Ursu Wins IHSA Girls Diving Sectional
Neuqua Valley junior Gabi Ursu claimed the sectional title at Metea Valley High School, earning a spot at next week's state meet.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Swimming
Neuqua Valley junior Gabi Ursu won the IHSA girls diving sectional at Metea Valley High School, scoring 498.30 among 11 divers from seven local schools. Five divers, including runner-up Ella Buchenauer, qualified for the state meet.
Why it matters
The sectional results determine which divers advance to the state meet, giving local athletes a chance to compete at the state level. Ursu's win also adds to her season, having already claimed the DVC girls diving championship.
Ursu's winning total of 498.30 edged Ella Buchenauer's 493.80, while Maddie Moss placed third at 440.20 among the 11 divers from seven schools. Charlotte Anderson (402.15), Lucy Hunter (392.60) and Madi Moungey (389.30) rounded out the qualifiers.
The players
Gabi Ursu
Neuqua Valley junior diver who won the sectional title and the DVC girls diving championship earlier in the season.
Ella Buchenauer
Diver who placed second at the sectional and qualified for the state meet.
The details
Ursu performed a back one-and-a-half somersault pike in the early rounds and an inward dive pike in the final rounds to secure the top score. The state meet will be held at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont next week.
Timeline
Girls diving sectional held November 9, 2026, at Metea Valley High School.
State meet at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont next week.
Season Trajectory
The sectional is the IHSA's regional gateway in the girls diving postseason, and advancing five divers to state places this group within the state's competitive tier. Ursu's sectional win, following her DVC title, marks a strong postseason run for a Neuqua Valley diver heading into the state championship.
Ursu and the four other qualifiers now advance to the state meet, which changes the final competitive field for the season. Fans following local high school diving can track these divers' state-meet scores as the next stage of the IHSA postseason unfolds.
The takeaway
Sectional results set the field for state, so the five qualifiers now have the chance to close out their seasons on the sport's biggest stage. Following the state meet will show how these divers' sectional scores hold up against the state's strongest competition.
What happens next
The state meet will be held at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont next week, where the qualifying divers will compete.
Further reading
For more on the local season, browse Swimming coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NCTV17.
