Dropped from the Mineola School Disrict in the 1970s, the track and field program made a triumphant return this year, which proved to be memorable.

Coach Kristan Degnan did a masterful job of bringing together a group of enthusiastic young men and women who didn't know much about track and field and turned them into a formidable squad. The effort was recognized by her peers as Degnan was voted Coach of the Year by Nassau County coaches. Aside from her leadership, the Mustang athletes deserve credit for making track and field again a part of the sports program.

The success of the season is evident by the qualification of the Mustangs for the county meet in 12 different events (Matt Mercurio, Ramon Valente and Beth Basile in the 100 meters and Craig Gunder and Christy Peters in the 400 meters; Gabe Moreira in the 800 meters and mile and Trumain Thurmond, Beth Basile and Eric Wooten were the 200 meter qualifiers. Tim Palma went to the county meet as a 400-meter hurdler. In the discus, Kristin McNally, Jess Donahue and Adam Minsky qualified while McNally, Minsky and Shakira Hoursey qualified in the shot put. Joe Stigliano was the county qualifier in the high jump. The Mustangs also qualified in three different relay events - Gunder, Stigliano, Moreira and Thurmond in the 4X400 while Gunder, Wooten, Thurmond and Ramon Valente also competed in the 4X100 relay in the county meet. Susie Hahn, Vicky Baston, Kristen Bubelis and Christy Peter qualified as the 4X400 relay team).

Coach Degnan looked back on the highlights of the county meet. She felt the fourth place finish by Kristin McNally in the shot put was a tremendous accomplishment because McNally was seeded 13th entering the event. Another highlight was the performance of the boys 4x400 relay team. The quartet of Gunder, Stigliano, Moreira and Thurmond finished third and all four earned All-County honors.

Coaches Degnan and Mike Santa Maria thanked the athletes for their hard work and dedication. The coaches also passed along grattitude to Brian Donahue for his generosity as a guest clinician, working with the shot put and discus athletes.

With the return season behind them, Mineola now has next season to look forward to as the resurgence of the track and field program continues. "We are looking forward to the growth and development of the Mineola track and field team," said Degnan.