Greg Dohler/The Gazette Elaina Faerber (left) of East Gate accepts her first-place trophy in the 13-14 age division from Stephanie Von Friedeburg Thursday during the Montgomery County Diving League All-Star Championships at the East Gate Swim and Tennis Club in Potomac.

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Recent Springbrook High School graduate Colby Shinholser has competed in some big-time national competitions.

Yet there was something nervewracking, he said, about standing on the edge of the East Gate Swim and Tennis Club diving board Thursday at the Montgomery County Dive League’s season-ending all-star competition.

“At the national meets I don’t necessarily expect to do that well. But [in MCDL] there is more pressure on me, I expect to do well,” Shinholser said.

This 2012 Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving runner-up’s nerves were not apparent in a consistent performance that led to his first-ever all-star title.

Shinholser upended the defending champion, recent Winston Churchill graduate Timothy Faerber of East Gate, 268.92-231.42 Thursday.

Former Thomas S. Wootton diver Bryan Doremus (Country Glen), who recently wrapped up his freshman season at Georgetown University, finished a close third with 230.64 points.

“The last time I was able to participate in an all-star meet it was when I was in the 9-10 age group and I think I finished fourth. I’m usually at Age Group Nationals around this time,“ Shinholser said. “[Faerber], my brother TJ and I are the three guys that were most competitive with each other this year. So, TJ won Metros, Timothy won states and I got the all-star meet.”

For just under five hours the 25-team league’s best in the boys and girls 13-14 and 15-18 divisions competed for the coveted title.

Less than 20 points separated the top three divers in the girls 15-18 competition Thursday.

Mill Creek Towne’s Emily Langworthy edged out Flower Valley’s Natalie Snyder, 221.34-213.03, for the title. Old Georgetown’s Katie Young came in third with 205.71 points.

Earlier in the evening Faerber’s younger sister, Elaina, won the Girls 13-14 division, 171.63-157.20, topping Potomac Woods’ Kamryn Umbel.

Last year’s boys 11-12 champion, Patrick Collishaw, adjusted well to the age-group jump to win the 13-14 title Thursday.

“Colby is so fast. He is quicker [than most guys]. He is strong and has good entries,” Faerber said. “He and his brother have gotten worlds better in the last couple of years and he deserved to win [Thursday].”

jbeekman@gazette.net