The very young Mineola High School varsity wrestling team did itself proud in the Nassau County Championship Meet as 17 Mustangs earned spots in the county meet and four made it all the way to the finals.

Nick Tonini, junior team captain, wrestled at 119 lbs. He lost in the finals to the defending county champion from Wheatley. Tonini's second place finish earned him All-County honors. He certainly deserved it with an overall record of 28-5.

Mike Marques, Julio Gauto and Leo Morales joined Tonini as second place finishers in their weight classes and earned All-County honors.

Marques wrestled at 140 lbs. He lost in the finals in a closely contested decision to Carle Place's Joe Smith on a last second takedown. Smith was All-County last year too. Marques' record this season was 21-6.

Gauto's, Mineola's only senior grappler, competed at 160 lbs. He had to defeat Wheatley's Fred Rios to win his class. Gauto had beaten Rios 14-6 in the previous week's qualifying finals. He led into the last minute of the match but Rios reversed him and pinned Gauto with two seconds left.

Morales, a junior, had to defeat the same Locust Valley wrestler who had beaten him in the qualifying tournament. Morales lost the finals this time as well.

"With four wrestlers in the finals, it was disappointing not having any champs. But, the boys did achieve All-County status and had a very successful year. What makes this such as good year is that 20 of our 21 wrestlers will return next year. With some hard work in the off-season, the Mustangs will return with a strong team next year," said coach Dan Guido.