BUTLER TWP — Resurfacing for air Tuesday night, Knoch boys swimmers either saw someone wearing the same blue swim cap as them or worse — nobody.

Aedan Smith, a junior, swam by his lonesome in winning the 100-yard freestyle. He also competed — against the clock, not any Armstrong challenger — on the Knights’ 200 and 400 free relay teams. Both won by default in Knoch’s 72-12 win at Butler High School’s pool.

“(It was) definitely a lot harder than usual because I like to have competition. It tends to push me a lot better,” Smith said. “It’s kind of a little bit harder for me to gauge what my speed is and how I should keep up with everyone else around me.”

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The River Hawks had just one swimmer on the boys’ side, Asher Kimmel. He won the 50 free and 100 backstroke events.

“I would say this is the only one where we encounter just one,” Knights coach Allison Springer said. “Usually, there’s a couple. Whether or not they have enough to do a relay is kind of hit-or-miss, but it’s usually more than one. ... It’s a little different of a night for them.”

Shady Side Academy, Hampton and Northgate tend to be the most competitive opponents for the Knoch boys (2-0).

The Knights were missing two boys swimmers themselves. Sophomore Jacob Ruediger was at a chorus concert. The other, freshman Ryan Karwoski, is dealing with an injury suffered while playing the piano, “which doesn’t sound real, but it is,” Springer said.

Springer had Liam Smith and Ian Carraher swim against one another in the 200 free. Talon Smith and Adrian Lavorini went at it in the 200 individual medley. Brady Bleicher had to take on the 100 butterfly on his own, and Talon Smith and Liam Smith had a competitive 500 freestyle, the latter winning by three-tenths of a second.

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“It’s always a worry that they aren’t going to have the push they need,” Springer said. “It really has to come from within, which is tough. Having a large cheering section helps. It was kind of a quiet meet. ... That makes it tough, and sometimes we don’t get the times that we want or we don’t make the WPIAL cuts we’re trying to make because of that lack of the push.”

Aedan Smith, who finished behind Lavorini in the 100 back, is aiming to reach the WPIAL meet in the 100 fly and better his times from last year. Smith would also like to see Knoch’s relays get over the hump to states.

“I’m glad I was able to swim on my own to just kind of push myself mentally, to know that’s what it’s like and that’s what I should be expecting,” he said. “It’s definitely a big jump, though.”

The Knights’ girls dropped to 0-2 in bowing to the visitors 107-60. Ryleigh Kabala won the 100 freestyle as Knoch’s only top-placer.

Boys

Knoch 72, Armstrong 12

200 freestyle: Liam Smith (K) 2:17.34

200 individual medley: Adrian Lavorini (K) 2:07.07

50 freestyle: Asher Kimmel (A) 25.28

100 butterfly: Brady Bleicher (K) 1:02.48

100 freestyle: Aedan Smith (K) 57.20

500 freestyle: Talon Smith (K) 6:48.52

200 freestyle relay: Knoch (Brady Bleicher, Liam Smith, Aedan Smith, Adrian Lavorini)

100 backstroke: Adrian Lavorini (K) 1:00.68

100 breaststroke: Asher Kimmel (A) 1:13.38

400 freestyle relay: Knoch (Aedan Smith, Ian Carraher, Talon Smith, Liam Smith)

Girls

Armstrong 107, Knoch 60

200 medley relay: Armstrong 1:54.45

200 freestyle: Bryony Shipe (A) 2:04.60

200 individual medley: Mya DiMaio (A) 2:12.86

50 freestyle: Aynsley Shipe (A) 26.11

100 butterfly: Amelia Bissell (A) 1:00.17

100 freestyle: Ryleigh Kabala (K) 1:00.43

500 freestyle: Mya DiMaio (A) 5:20.04

200 freestyle relay: Armstrong 1:51.13

100 backstroke: Dylayn Shipe (A) 1:03.31

100 breaststroke: Amelia Bissell (A) 1:12.86

400 freestyle relay: Armstrong 3:49.57