As the excitement of the fall sports season was passing, the coaches of the winter sports teams were getting their squads ready for the indoor season.

Gymnastics, wrestling, bowling and basketball teams will keep us busy with their games and matches until the spring thaw.

This week, we present the girls varsity bowling team profile and the results of their first successful matches. The team will once again be coached by Bill Smith. This team has had a history of success over the past few years and Coach Smith has similar expectations for this year's squad:

Profile:

Coach: William Smith, SUNY Albany (MS), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (BS)

Returning players: Captain sophomore Christina Schulze has gone to the state tournament two years running as a member of the Nassau County All Star Team. Captain junior Joanna Errico, a two year varsity starter, received All-Conference and All-Division awards. Senior Sonia Costa, a four-year bowler, started on last year's County Tournament squad. Junior Allison Conti will start her second season as a member of the varsity squad. Sophomore Lauren Landy has improved tremendously and will lead the junior varsity squad. Freshman Jennifer Pirrone went to the County Championships last year as an eighth grader.

For the last two years this team has gone to the County Championships. This year it returns with five bowlers who participated in that championship, so their experience could be enough to capture the title this year.

Newcomers include seniors Lauren Scala and Samantha Didrikson, junior Melissa Purdy, and sophomores Rebecca Madson and Hilary Singer.

Matches are every Tuesday and Thursday at Sheridan Lanes, and start between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

Recent Results:

The Mineola High School girls bowling teams opened the season with a victory over Great Neck North.

The varsity squad swept all eleven points to begin conference play. Pirrone led the team with a 205 high game and a 566 series, while Schulze followed with a 201 high game and a 565 series. The Mustangs recorded a 717 in the second game with a 176 from Conti and Errico's 147, both high games for each.

The JV squad won two of three games from North, with the teams tying the third game. Sophomore Lauren Landy recorded two games of 148 and 162, while senior Sonia Costa bowled a strong third game of 148 to ensure the draw. Newcomers played a part as well, with sophomores Becca Madson (136) and Hilary Singer (150) and seniors Lauren Scala and Samantha Didrickson ensuring the victory for the Lady Mustangs, who face Roslyn on Dec. 2 and Great Neck South on Dec. 9.

As the highlights and team profiles come in, we will keep you informed as to the scores of the various Mustang games and matches. A schedule of all the winter teams will be published in next week's paper. We hope that you will find time to come on down and show your Mustang pride.