(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since May of 1999, the Times News Sports Department has featured an On This Date practically every day, highlighting an event that happened in the past. With the coronavirus putting a halt to sports locally and nationally, the On This Dates have been expanded to the stories that actually ran in the next day’s newspaper. Today’s On This Date story is from April 24, 2013).

By Patrick Matsinko

pmatsinko@tnonline.com

The Marian boys and girls track teams could do little wrong in Wednesday’s Schuylkill League matchup with Panther Valley.

The Colts won by a decisive 104-34 margin, while the Fillies ran away with a 110-26 victory.

Ryan Karnish (100, long jump) and Corey Quick (shot put, javelin) paced the Colts with two event wins apiece.

In all, the Marian boys took 11 individual event wins and also captured the 400, 1600 and 3200 relays.

“I think as a whole, our team ran, jumped and threw very well,” Marian coach John Boyle said of his squad’s performance. “It was a team effort and our depth was key today.”

Lenny Ogozalek turned in a solid performance for Panther Valley, capturing the 1600 and 3200 with times of 5:38 and 12:23, respectively. Ogozalek has been battling asthma that cut his wrestling season short and is trying to regain his form heading into leagues and districts.

“My breathing’s definitely much better since wrestling season and I feel much better running the mile and two mile,” Ogozalek said. “This was actually the first time I ran the mile in a meet (this season) so this was just me getting my time and I felt pretty good doing it.

Ogozalek took a conservative approach to the race, but settled in as the race went on.

“I just started off pacing myself and once I saw that I could take the lead, I did and just started pushing,” Ogozalek said of his strategy.

Ogozalek admitted after the meet that the two events took more out of him than usual, but was still pleased with his performance.

“Considering I ran the one mile earlier, I think I did pretty well in the two mile now,” said Ogozalek after his second win. “My legs started to get a little sore and I was a little out of breath during the last couple of laps, but other than that I think I did pretty good.

“The weather was good so I felt pretty well breathing-wise, too and I did what I needed to before the races so my breathing wasn’t too bad.”

Richard Nase won the high jump and was second in the long jump for Panther Valley.

In the girls meet, the Fillies were led by Christy Digiandomenico (100 H, 300 H), Marykate Sherkness (long jump, triple jump) and Kaylee Ceci (shot put, discus), who all took multiple event wins. Sherkness was also a part of a three-way tie in the high jump with teammate Christein Gurzinski and Panther Valley’s Kelsey Vanhorn.

Ceci set a personal best in the shot put with a throw of 31-0. Emily Pilla also set a personal best in winning the javelin with a throw of 111-3.

Just like the boys, the girls team took 11 individual event wins and also captured the 400, 1600 and 3200 relay.

While the sweep of Panther Valley is something Boyle is proud of, he knows that a bigger test awaits his team next week.

“This is another win and we have one more dual meet a week from today against Schuylkill Haven,” said Boyle. “And for both guys and girls, it’s going to be for the Schuylkill League title.”