WPIAL swimming championships: Knoch’s Giona Lavorini avoids jinx, defends 100 breaststroke gold
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Isaac Barton swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Jacob Ruediger swims in the boys 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 100 breastrroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Eli Hassler swims the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 100 breastrroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Eli Hassler swims the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Kasey Schrecongost swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Adrian Lavorini swims in the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Mary Anne Altman swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch girls swims in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport girls swim in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch girls swims in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Isaac Barton swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Isabell Barton swims in the girls 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Nathaniel Tarbi swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Freeport cheers on its girls team as they swim in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Isaac Barton swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Jacob Ruediger swims in the boys 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 100 breastrroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Eli Hassler swims the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Mackenna Dorian swims in the girls 100 breastrroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch boys swim in the boys 400 freestyle relay in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Eli Hassler swims the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Kasey Schrecongost swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Ryan Karwoski swims in the boys 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Adrian Lavorini swims in the boys 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Mary Anne Altman swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch girls swims in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport girls swim in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Rylee Freshcorn swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Giona Lavorini swims in the girls 100 breastroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch girls swims in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Isaac Barton swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Knoch's Olivia Walewski swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Isabell Barton swims in the girls 500 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Hannah Altman swims in the girls 100 backstroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport's Nathaniel Tarbi swims in the boys 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport cheers on its girls team as they swim in the girls 400 freestyle relay race in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
PITTSBURGH — Giona Lavorini used to have a lucky swim cap.
“It was my first YMCA team cap,” the Knoch senior swimmer said. “It had my name on it and the team and stuff. I had that cap for, like, four years. It was a while. Most people rip their cap. I had it around for a while.”
At a summer meet last year, she mistakenly left it behind. Soon enough, after setting a personal best in the next race, she realized she didn’t need to rely on good fortune.
Lavorini repeated as the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships girls 100-yard breaststroke champion Friday at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool. She finished the event in 1:03.30 seconds, ahead of Southmoreland junior Allison Stinnett (1:03.74) and Indiana senior Peyton Scott (1:03.84).
Still, Lavorini, who qualified for the PIAA Class 2A Swimming Championships at Bucknell University on March 12-13, hasn’t shed all of her superstitions.
Knoch's Giona Lavorini dives into the pool to start the girls 100 breaststroke in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
She always has spaghetti before big meets.
Entering the race, only Scott had a higher seed time than Lavorini. Even as the reigning champ, Lavorini wouldn’t predict a first-place finish.
“I never really like to say that because I feel like I would definitely jinx myself,” Lavorini said. “A bunch of people from school, they knew I won last year and they were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you’re going to win again today.’ And I’m like, ‘Please don’t say that.’”
She entered with improved strength after beginning a new dry-land program and weightlifting this season.
Lavorini is a Pitt commit. She’ll swim for the Panthers next season having already accomplished a good bit in their building.
“It’s a weird feeling because a lot of people have kind of joked about it,” Lavorini said. “The one girl I swam the 100 breaststroke, she was like, ‘This is literally your home pool next year.’ I’m kind of already used to it.”
Lavorini said it’s her favorite pool to swim in. She recalled swimming in it for the first time at 12 years old.
“It’s just something about it,” Lavorini said. “The pool always feels really good when I’m swimming in it. It might sound weird, but the water’s always a great temperature, and I just always seem to be on top of the water. It doesn’t feel like it’s resisting me.”
Lavorini’s younger brother, Adrian, a junior, placed fifth in the same event on the boys side. It was his first season competing in the 100 breast after swimming the 500 freestyle the couple seasons before.
Giona beat Scott in the 100 breast at the PIAA meet last season for what is believed to be the first state title in Knoch’s swim history. Giona won’t prophesize repeating in that event, for reasons mentioned before.
“Yeah, I don’t want to say that,” Giona said with a laugh. “It’s going to be a tough race, and we’ll see what happens.”
Freeport's Kasey Schrecongost swims in the girls 100 freestyle in the WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph C. Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Practice makes perfect
Along with senior teammate Mary Anne Altman, Freeport sophomore Kasey Schrecongost medaled in the 100 free Friday with a fifth-place finish (53.61 seconds). Altman finished seventh in 54.22.
As cliche as it might sound, Schrecongost believes being able to regularly practice together as a team — which the Yellowjackets were able to do for the first time this year — has lifted the team’s level of endurance and energy during meets.
She recalled one practice in particular that helped build the foundation that led to her performance.
“We had to do 10 100s, best average,” Schrecongost said. “It was coming back from winter break, so we had a couple days off. So, going back into the pool, we’re all feeling like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But, once we started racing each other and going after it — especially with my sister (Kira) — it was actually really fun.”
The pair also helped the 400 free relay team to bronze in 3:36.22 along with Kira Schrecongost and Isabelle Barton.
WPIAL Class 2A Swimming Championships Results
Local Medalists
Boys
100 freestyle: 4-Nathaniel Tarbi (F) 49.13
100 breaststroke: 5-Adrian Lavorini (K) 58.99
Girls
100 freestyle: 5-Kasey Schrecongost (F) 53.61, 7-Mary Anne Altman (F) 54.22
100 breaststroke: 1-Giona Lavorini (K) 1:03.03
400 freestyle: 3-Freeport (Kira Schrecongost, Mary Anne Altman, Isabelle Barton, Kasey Schrecongost) 3:36.22
