The Garden City High School varsity wrestling team had a more than impressive year this past season. Senior tri-captains Matt Ganas, Dan Oppedisano and Dan Donnelly led the team as they displayed determination in trying to be the best that they could be, on Long Island, in the county and in the state.

But not only do the boys show their strength on the mat, they also show their strength in the classroom as they were named the Scholar Athlete Team for the seventh year in a row. The team placed eighth in the Nassau County tourney out of the 50 schools in the county.

Garden City had four wrestlers place in the County Tournament. Donnelly finished first in the 145-lb. weight class; Oppedisano placed third in the 189-lb. weight class; Ganas placed third in the 112-lb. class; and sophomore Chris Reilly placed sixth in the 96-lb. class. Last year's team held positions in fourth, fifth and sixth place. In fact this year's team had 13 All-Conference wrestlers, which was a first for any Garden City varsity wrestling team.

Donnelly, a senior, paved the route for his team, having 105 varsity wins in his career. Donnelly, who will be wrestling for Gettysburg College next year, became the second person in Garden City history to attain 100 varsity wins. Last year Ronnie Lofrese was the first with 123 wins. Lofrese now wrestles for Davidson College, a Division I program.

Other accomplished wrestlers, like Mike Cirrito, who is currently wrestling for Williams College, had 90 wins in his wrestling career. In addition to Donnelly's achievements, teammates Ganas and Oppedisano attained 94 wins each in their careers. As you can see, 100 wins in a career is a major accomplishment to achieve.

Some of this year's team highlights were winning the Qualifier Tournament, which was the first time in Garden City history, and the Glen Clove Tournament for the third year in a row. At the Babylon Tournament on Jan. 11 Ganas was chosen as the Most Outstanding Wrestler. Ganas was said to be having his best day in the toughest weight class. Ganas was also the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Qualifier Tournament on Feb. 7. At the Wheatley Tournament on Jan. 18 Donnelly was chosen as the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Of the 56 wrestlers who finished the season, 45 will be returning expecting another great season.

On the heels of winter's last gasp, Palm Sunday provided long awaited and much needed quintessential spring weather. In an early season showdown between two Nassau County Police Athletic League Youth Lacrosse perennial powerhouses, the Garden City Rams fourth grade lacrosse team would test their mettle in hosting the formidable Massapequa A-Division squad. Massapequa would prove to be a most dangerous and desperate foe, following a tough 9-8 loss to Rockville Centre in their season debut.

The game was aptly set on the quaint and wood lined field of the 47-year-old Waldorf School of Garden City campus. From referee Jim Kenney's opening whistle the Rams stormed out of the gate and in a blink of an eye, set the tone in forging a commanding 3-0 lead.

Devin Dwyer (2 goals, 1 assist) and Brian Coleman (1g, 1a) sparked a three-goal two-minute barrage, forcing Massapequa into the first of its many timeouts. Garden City thoroughly dominated the battle of ground balls and possession in treating its scores of fans to an outstanding played first half.

For the second consecutive week, the Rams goalie tandem of John Bock and Brendan Logan would outplay their counterpart, as each took turns shutting down Massapequa's offense. Trailing 5-1 at halftime, Massapequa regrouped and found their rhythm.

Joe Horan (1g) and Steve Jahelka (3g) answered Massapequa's runs by each cranking in third quarter goals. Mike LoFrese's goal with four minutes remaining in the game put the Rams ahead 9-5, providing Coach Coleman with a much-needed but quickly fading comfort. Displaying the heart of a champion, Massapequa electrified the crowd in roaring back with a four-goal flurry in the game's final three minutes.

Only when Tommy Adams, a Garden City defenseman, knocked down a last second desperation field-length pass were coaches Coleman, Jahelka and Kufs able to breath a collective sigh of relief as Garden City would hang on for a 9-8 victory. For their next contest on April 27, the Rams (2-0) will raise the bar in traveling to Cold Spring Harbor for a 10:30 a.m. showdown.