The girls varsity softball team captured the Nassau County Class B Championship on Wednesday, May 27, at Cantiague Park. They defeated MacArthur by a score of 6-1. Senior pitcher Katie Zunno allowed only two hits while striking out 15 batters. Credit should be given to the entire team who made the defensive plays behind Zunno, and who provided the offensive pop that scored the runs that helped with the games. Mineola now has a record of 21 wins and three losses, and will meet the Suffolk champion for the long Island Championship on June 9 at Mitchel Park. The Mustangs are coached by first year varsity Coach Suzanne Vitale. The Mineola School community is very proud of the Lady Mustangs. The stands at Cantiague Park were packed with enthusiastic Mineola fans. Included were students, teachers, parents, school and district administration, alumni, Athletic Director Tony Gulli and even retired varsity softball Coach Bob Schmidt. The girls now must focus on one game at a time in their quest for a possible state championship. We wish them well.

The Middle School girls lacrosse team is off to a good start, having won their first four games. Under the leadership of former JV Coach Jenn Peck, the girls have given new meaning to the "future" of the girls lacrosse program at the high school. The scores of the first four games were as follows:

Herricks 5-2

Glen Cove 19-4

Garden City 5-4

Great Neck South 11-4

Coach Peck, when asked about the team's success thus far, stated, "This middle school program is the final link in a complete girls lacrosse program at Mineola. The girls have gotten off to an incredible start, and beating perennial powerhouse Garden City was the highlight. The girls are very motivated and excited to play the game. We have a large number of incredible athletes on this team, and they will help to build a strong program at the high school. The girls are learning a lot and having fun. We have a tough schedule ahead of us, but we'll do our best."

Coach Peck is assisted by student managers Carina Texiera and Jenn Nunez. The leading scorers are Danielle Adams - eight goals; Carolina Leite - six goals; Lauren Anderson - four goals; Sonya Dovale - four goals.

The other goal scorers are Lori Gayson - three goals, Anne Rosenberg - three goals; Merrideth Herrera - two goals; Michelle Lananna - two goals; and Allison Auriemmo - two goals. The defense is led by goalkeeper Patty Ober who has an amazing 32 saves in her first four games. The other defensive stars are Anne Rosenberg, Merrideth Herrera, Theresa Dolan, Jennifer Pirrone, Maryanne Georgio, and Nancy Santos. We wish the girls much luck as they finish their season.

The Mineola High School Athletic Department, under the direction of Athletic Director Tony Gulli, and the Mineola Athletic Booster Club are proud to announce this year's athletic award winners. These winners were honored at the Booster Club Varsity Dinner held on Tuesday evening, June 2. The winners were as follows:

Female: Katie Zunno

Male: Mario Villa

Sportsmanship

Female: Katie Sharp

Male: John Benedetto

Senior Scholarship

Female: Nicole Gregorius

Male: Brendan Nelson

Bobby Manu

Kim Donahue

Katie Zunno

Old Reliable Award

Danny Dugan

Tracee Eger

Female: Melissa Danielson

Male: Alex Keblish

Female: Katie Zunno

Male: Chris Grimm

Bobby Manu

Melissa Danielson

Katie Zunno Brendan Nelson Jessica Hegmann

Nicole Adams

Jeremy Watson

Danielle Adams Soccer/BB/Lax

Joseph Selby Wrestling

Jonathan Debrick Soccer

Tara Georges Softball

Brian Sallie Baseball

Hernando Gauto Soccer/Wrest/Lax

Erin Cloghessy Basketball

Gerard Strein Baseball

Diane Mercado Lacrosse

Fred von Mossenback Football

Kristin Cusato Softball

Kristen Prahl Lacrosse

Liam Wachter Soccer

Nicole Adams Soccer/Basketball

Deena Vezo Soccer/Lax

Vanessa Papadimitrios Volleyball

Trisha Gettler Soccer

Owen Dugan Wrestling

Manny Coelho Wrestling

Kathleen Ober Lacrosse

Joe Penny Baseball

Lauren Georges Softball

Tim Hayes Wrestling

Brian Bruno Baseball/Football

Frank Massaro is a Mineola HS alumnus and local business owner who unselfishly has supported Mineola athletes for many years. The above awards were provided through his generosity. On behalf of the Booster Club and the athletes, we thank him.

The Booster Club varsity dinner will be reported on more completely in next week's column.