JEFFERSON TWP — For years, the Knoch girls cross country team was considered an afterthought.

Now, teams have to think about what could happen when they face the Knights.

After suffering losing seasons for the first 19 seasons of their existence, the Knights followed up last year's 15-5 campaign with a 14-3 record.

After finishing 17th at last year's WPIAL Class AAA Championship, its highest finish ever, the squad is much stronger in 2008, based on its sterling accomplishments at invitational meets.

The team was third at the Slippery Rock Invitational, second at the Central Catholic Invitational, first at Rocky Grove and second at Thursday's Tri-State Invitational, which had 39 teams, including many that will compete at Thursday's WPIAL championships.

Knoch coach Wess Brahler can pinpoint when the program's fortunes began to change: Alyssa Kunkel's freshman season three years ago.

"Our boys had a really great year and I remember her saying, 'What do we have to do to get what the boys are doing?' I told her it takes commitment year-round," said Brahler, now in his eighth year as coach.

"They're the ones who are buying in, working hard and trusting me. They're something special,"Brahler added.

Kunkel, now a senior, is joined by her sister, Jolene, and Shannon Evanchec, both sophomores. The trio have pushed the Knights to among the best in the WPIAL.

Last Thursday, Jolene was fourth, Alyssa 13th and Evanchec 20th. In the Central Catholic Invitational Oct. 4, the girls finished second, eighth and 19th, respectively.

Toss in freshmen Emilee Hertwick and Christina Corigliano, and the Knights have a strong top five group.

"They're closing the gap on Jolene, and that's part of it," said Brahler. "We have got the top five packed in. (Jolene) opens the door and the rest of the team shuts it."

When Brahler first took over the program, he knew some things had to be different.

"We had to charge the attitude, work ethic and commitment," said Brahler. "We needed to get a middle school program started and the kids had to trust me. They know that I'll get them in great condition and try to get them to the state meet.

"We had to change our perception of running against North Hills, North Allegheny, Butler. These teams look at us differently now. They know the Knoch kids are coming here and expect to win.

"Now, we're a top quality team in the WPIAL,"Brahler added.

That has been evident over the past two seasons, and the trio are pleased to have a hand in that.

"We felt like we had a lot of talent coming in," said Evanchec. "We have great freshman runners, so with that youth, we keep building."

"It's a great feeling to know I was able to help make this girls team better," said Alyssa Kunkel. "It's a great honor."

As a freshman last year, Jolene Kunkel was the first Knoch girl to medal at the WPIAL finals, then became the first runner — boy or girl — to medal at the state cross country finals. She also holds the school record and has always thrived in the bigger meets.

"She's run since the seventh grade, so she's run in big meets for four years," said Brahler. "Last year as a freshman, she experienced the state meet. She just finished the Rocky Grove Invitational as a four-year champion, winning in seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th grade.

"The bigger the meet, the bigger she performs. The whole team is doing that,"Brahler added.

With the WPIAL finals this Thursday, the team is priming itself for another big goal: qualifying for the state finals as a team.

"(Last Thursday's meet) was very big for us because it's a good confidence builder,"said Alyssa Kunkel.

Brahler acknowledged that the team will continue to train right through he state meet, since that is the ultimate goal.

"I think (last Thursday) helps us, but we need to focus one race at a time and continue to the WPIAL finals," said Evanchec. "We appreciate what we've done at invitationals, but we want to do well at the WPIALmeet."