Fillies’ Capparell signs with Delaware

When Tina Capparell visited the University of Delaware, she knew it was right for her.

The Marian senior made it official on Wednesday.

“It really is a dream come true,” Capparell said during a ceremony in Hometown to sign her National Letter of Intent. “I actually visited the campus probably two years ago, and I loved it. I got that warm, fuzzy feeling when I was on it, and I kind of had an idea that was where I might want to go.

“After checking out all my other options, I’m really happy I decided on Delaware.”

A three-time Times News Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year coming into this season, Capparell has flourished as a runner at Marian.

She is coming off her most impressive cross country season to date, winning her second league title, fourth district crown and first state championship this past fall.

Capparell has amassed plenty of accolades on the track, too. A three-time state qualifier, she captured her first medal in the 1600 last spring.

Continuing her already accomplished career at a Division I program is yet another milestone for Capparell.

“I always dreamed of it. I was hoping it would happen,” said Capparell, who has medaled in all four of her trips to the PIAA Cross Country Championships. “But I knew I had to do something just different this year; go out, get my time lower, and I did.

“I’m so happy. It’s all falling together.”

Academics are of equal importance to Capparell, which helped her settle on Delaware over La Salle University, Monmouth University and High Point University.

“It was definitely the biggest school I looked at. The other ones were about 5,000 kids,” Capparell said of her choices. “But they had my major (preventive medicine), and they have a really good program for that.

“It’s really nice. That was definitely what helped me make a lot of my decision, just knowing that I’ll have a great running program. I’m just really excited.”

While she is blessed with plenty of natural talent, Capparell took a huge leap in her progression this year in large part because of her relentless work ethic.

Capparell’s development over the course of her career is no surprise to the people that have watched her dedicate herself to the sport, day-in, and day-out.

“It’s awesome. She deserves every second of it,” said Francis Lally, who was Marian’s track and field coach the past two seasons. “Just the effort she puts in. She’s been a captain on the team … she’s always been a leader, since Day 1.

“Everyone follows her. She comes to practice every day and gives 100 percent, and everyone follows her. So it’s easy to coach someone like that.”

As Marian’s cross country coach for the last two seasons, Thomas Kostic has been able to see that desire firsthand.

“She has such a drive to be the best,” said Kostic. “And her work ethic is incredible. Her drive and work ethic, and she’s so confident. She’s confident about what she does. When she gets a setback, she comes right back.”

Kostic, who previously coached at Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton for 17 years, knew early on Capparell had something special.

“When I saw her coming up through the ranks, and I saw her in junior high running in our cross country program, then I saw her down at Marian, and I said the potential is there. She’s a state champion. She’s the real deal,” said Kostic, who was the assistant principal at Capparell’s grade school.

“Now, it’s one thing to say that, it’s one thing to even say you have talent enough to do that. But the bottom line is, you gotta do it. And she did.”

Kostic also believes the best from Capparell is yet to come.

“We’re just so proud of her,” he said. “She’s represented Marian Catholic very, very well.

“And her best races are in the future.”