JEFFERSON TWP — Talk about making your parents proud.

Knoch sophomore Brooke Zukowski and junior Abby Jones certainly did so while finishing 1-2 in the 100-meter breaststroke at the recent WPIAL Class AA Swimming Championships.

The two became the first Knoch swimmers to finish first and second in the same WPIAL event in the history of the Knights’ program.

“It was pretty overwhelming for me. I get choked up even thinking about it,” said Cori Jones, Abby’s mother and one of Knoch’s coaches. “To see them get out of the water, find each other on the deck and embrace ... That was a special moment.”

Cori Jones was an All-American swimmer at Westminster College and was a teammate of Brad and Shauna Zukowski — Brooke’s parents — with the Titans. They were both collegiate All-Americans as well.

“We lost touch after college,” Jones said. “Next thing we know, they’re living in Saxonburg and we live in Cabot. We got back together through the kids’ swimming.”

Abby Jones said she knew Brooke in elementary school, but the two really became friends through swimming. They ride together to practice at 5:30 a.m. each day, practice together each day after school and do weight room work together after that.

“We’re probably together four hours a day,” Abby said. “We see a lot of each other.”

Entering this week’s PIAA Championships at Bucknell University, Zukowski has the third-fastest time in the 100 breast at 1 minute, 4.59 seconds. Jones is seventh-fastest at 1:06.28.

Zukowski is also fifth-fastest entering the 200 individual medley. Jones will also compete in the 200 freestyle.

“I wouldn’t be at the level I’m at if it wasn’t for Brooke,” Abby Jones said. “She pushes me every day at practice. She’s definitely made me faster.”

Zukowski said the two push each other.

“We bring out the best in each other,” Zukowski said. “It was so cool when we finished first and second at WPIAL’s.

“We’re good friends, but we’re always swimming. We don’t have too much time for other stuff.”

Watching her daughter win her second WPIAL title in the 100 breast held even more significance for Shauna Zukowski. Due to surgery and a month-long stay in the hospital, she had been unable to see Brooke compete all year.

That is, until the WPIAL meet.

“That was the first time. I told her I’d be there,” Mrs. Zukowski said. “I’m going in for more surgery, but not until after the state meet.

“It would be tremendous if Brooke and Abby medal at the state meet. We’re all hoping.”

After finishing 1-2 in the WPIAL, don’t count out anything.

“I didn’t think we could possibly do that,” Abby Jones said. “There were a lot of fast girls in our heat.

“When it happened ... All I wanted to do was find her and hug her. That was so cool. I will never forget that.”

Knoch has a male tandem competing in the 100 breast at the state meet as well. John Wilson has the second-fastest time at 59.38 seconds. Austin Wittmer is eighth at 1:00.87.

Grove City’s Thomas Somora is seventh at 1:00.14.

Numerous other area swimmers are entering the Class AA meet with times or scores among the top 10 in their respective events.

On the girls side, Mars’ Taylor Hockenberry is second in 1-meter diving with a score of 506.05. Freeport’s Zoe Pawlak is fifth in the 50 free at 24.4 seconds, the Yellowjackets’ Bria Otwell sixth in the 500 free at 5:07.31.

Other top boys include Mars’ Reed McDonough (10th in 200 free) and Francis Folz (10th in 100 free), Grove City’s Austin Wilson (eighth in 100 free) and Rockwell Pokrani (10th in 100 butterfly).

Grove City’s 200 medley relay team enters the meet with the fastest time in the state at 1:37.12.