MAHANOY CITY - The Marian boys track team started fast, but Mahanoy Area's strong finish was enough to lift them to a 76-73 victory at a breezy Alumni Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory in the battle of unbeatens gave the Golden Bears the Schuylkill League Division II championship."I really didn't do anything. it was them," said long-time Mahanoy coach Dave Holmes when asked about the victory. "This is a group of athletes that started it way back in the fall and it showed here. They've developed a winning attitude, and it just carried over."There were plenty of neck-and-neck exciting events during the meet.Marian soared in the long jump where it picked up a first and second place finishes behind Brandon Mohammad and Matt Stanziola. However, the Bears picked up key points in the shot put and high jump, capturing firsts from Tony Merchlinsky and Justin Rivera, respectively."I really felt that we would come in here and win," offered Marian coach Francis Lally. "Our sprints were great, and that was an area that I thought we might struggle for points. On the other hand, we didn't do a good job in some of the field events, which is normally a strong point for us."Marian got wins in the 100 and 200 meter dashes from Jarrin Geisinger. The Bears were better in the 110 hurdles, picking up a first and third place, and also finished 1-2 in the 1600 meter run. The Colts swept the javelin winning behind Gunner Rehrig (113-8), Jacob McNelis and Jeff Thomas. Geisinger also had a second in the 400, that was won by teammate Mike Witsak won the event in a time of 54.8.Marian also got victories in two of the three relays.But the Bears picked up sweeps in both the discus and pole vault to eventually pull out the win."We don't have any pole vaulters so that cost us," said Lally.On the girls side of the ledger, Marian posted an overwhelming 101-45 victory.Brenna Karnish and the Capparell sisters, Tina and Nicole, ignited the victory.Karnish was a triple winner, as she was first in the triple jump (33-2), the discus (105-1) and the shot put (33-4).Tina Capparell won both the 1600 meter run (5:22) and the 800 (2:26.5). Meanwehile, sister Nicole was peeling off a 13:23.8 win in the 3200 and raced home first in the 400 dash with a time of 1:06.9.Marian also swept the javelin, led by Rachel Casella (74-7).GIRLSMarian 101, Mahanoy 45100- 1. Grace Mussoline (M) 13.6, 2. Zoryana Duda (M), 3. Jillian Correale (M);200- 1. Camaryn Wheeler (M) 27.3, 2. Grace Mussoline (M), 3. Zoryana Duda (M);400- 1. Nicole Capparell (M) 1:06.9, 2. Mega Babinsky (MA), 3. Andraya Pikituz (M).800- 1. Tina Capparell (M) 2:26.5, 2. Cierra Abrachinksy (MA), 3. Julia Kreisel (M);1600- 1. Tina Capparell (M) 5:22, 2. Carolyn Mehallo (M) 3. Paytn Bernardyn (MA);3200- 1. Nicole Capparell (M) 13:23.8, 2. Sophia Granados (MA), 3. Krystyna Matunis (M);100 H- 1. Meredith Rhoades (MA) 18.1, 2. Angela Grega (M), 3. Kaitlyn Lowery (M);300 H- 1. Meredith Rhoades (MA) 50.3, 2. Natalia Konitzar (M), 3. Angela Grega (M);400 relay- 1. Marian (Camaryn Wheeler, Jenna O'Donnell, Natalia Konitzar, Grace Mussolilne) 52.8;1600 relay- 1. Marian (Camaryn Wheeler, Natalia Knoitzar, Nicole Capparell, Tina Capparell) 4:28.9;3200 relay- 1. Mahanoy Area (Sophia Granados, Cierra Abrachinsky, Justina McKenzie, Diamond McKoy) 11:57.7;High jump- 1 Kendall Bernardyn (MA) 4-10, 2. Angela Grega (M), 3. Nicole Jordan (M);Long jump- 1. Samantha Gnall (MA) 16-01.5; 2. Brenna Karnish (M), 3. Megan Babinsky (MA);Triple jump- 1. Brenna Karnish (M) 33-02, 2. Samantha Gnall (MA), 3. Jenna O'Donnell (M);Shot put- 1. Brenna Karnish (M) 33-04, 2. Emma McClafferty (M), 3. Madison Cavenas (MA);Discus- 1. Brenna Karnish (M) 105-1, 2. Emma McClafferty (M), Brianna Raab (M);Javelin- 1. Rachel Casella (M), 74-07, 2. Sophia Bauer (M), 3. Sara Osilka (M).BOYSMahanoy Area 76, Marian 73100- 1. Jarrin Geisinger (M) 11.2, 2. MJ Terry (MA), 3. Mike Joseph (MA);200- 1. Jarrn Geisinger (M) 23.7, 2. MJ Terry (MA), 3. Joe Delash (M);400- 1. Mike Witsak (M) 54.8, 2. Jarrin Geisinger (M) 3. Marcus Crespo (MA);800- 1. Zaccary Roberts (M) 2:09.10, 2. Adam Soriano (MA), 3. Seth Soriano (MA);1600- 1. Cole Striesel (MA) 4:58.8, 2. William Striesel (MA), 3. Zaccary Roberts (M);3200- 1. Cole Strisel (MA), 11:03.7,2. William Striesel (MA), 3. Eddie Pulaski (M);110 H- 1 - Chase Mazalusky (MA) 17.3; 2. Joe Jordan (M), 3. Liam Mansell (MA);300 H- 1. Kris Boxter (MA) 44.2, 2. Ryan Chapman (M), 3. Chase Mazlusky (MA);400 relay- 1. Marian (Mike Witsak, Matt Stanziola, Seth Paluck, Jarrn Geisinger) 45.9;1600 relay- 1. Marian (Brady Whilden, Mike Witsak, Joe Delash, Zaccary Roberts) 3:37.3;3200 relay- 1. Mahanoy Area (Marcus Crespo, Matt Derr, Adam Soriano, Seth Soriano)

10.10.5;High jump- 1. Justin Rivera (MA) 5-10, 2. Matt Stanziola (M), 3. Mike Joseph (MA);Pole vault- 1. Alexis (MA) 8-0, 2. Brian Boyle (MA);Long jump- 1. Brandon Mohammad (M) 19-05.75, 2. Matt Stanziola (M), 3. Kris Boxter (MA);Triple jump- 1. Aiden Hinchey (M) 37-07.75, 2. Matt Stanziola (M), 3. Justin Rivera (MA);Shot put- 1. Tony Merchlinsky (MA) 39-01.25, 2. Jeff Thomas (M), 3. John Molina (MA);Discus- 1. Mark Lawrence (MA) 110-03, 2. Tony Merchlinsky (MA), 3. Nathan Macleary (MA);Javelin- 1. Gunnar Rehrit (M) 113-06, 2. Jacob McNelis (M), 3. Jeffery Thomas (M).