Now that the year 2005 is over, it's time to look back on the accomplishments of the Mineola Mustangs. There were quite a few as some of Mineola's sports teams propelled themselves to new heights.

The Mustangs reached lofty heights in the winter season when the girls winter track team won the conference championship, unseating defending champion North Shore. In the championship meet, Lauren Mobyed won the 1,000 and 1,500-meter races. The foursome of Julia Yan, Christina McCarthy, Lauren Mobyed and Katie Keegan won the 4X400 relay. Allie Kain, Alia Fater, Kaitie Carter and Kasey Hughes took the 4X200 relay.

The girls track and field team then finished second in the Nassau County Championships. Seven Mustangs earned All-County honors for their performances. Senior pole vaulter Nicole Lapin won the county championship. Not only did she earn All-County honors, she earned a trip to the New York State Championships later this month at Syracuse University.

Lauren Mobyed led the Mustangs with three All-County performances. She finished second in the 1,000 and 1,500-meter runs and was part of the second place 4X8 relay team. The other members of that All-County award-winning quartet are Julia Yan, Jenn Pawlowski and Alia Fater. Kristin Mobyed earned All-County honors with second place finishes in the 3,000 and 600-meter runs. Lauren Massa improved her time by 27 seconds to earn All-County honors in the 1,500-meter race/walk.

For the boys squad, Mineola High School shot putter Rob Olszewski heaved his way to notoriety. Olszewski won the conference meet with a toss of 40 feet, 3 1/4 inches. He was the only conference champion for the Mustangs boys indoor track & field team.

Six members of the girls spring track & field team qualified for the New York State Track & Field Championships in Syracuse: Senior Nicole Lapin in the pole vault, Junior Samantha Hegmann in the discus and the 4 x 400 relay team of Julia Yan, Christine Medlock, Lauren Napolitano and Alia Fater.

In wrestling, the Mineola High School varsity wrestling team came up big on Feb. 12 by winning its qualifying tournament and grabbing the conference championship. Senior Julio Gauto, who on the 171-pound class, was voted the tournament's most-outstanding wrestler. The Mustangs also had champions in the 140-pound class in Mike Marques and 160-pound class in Jon Hock.

In spring sports, the girls softball team was the Conference II, League II champions. The girls lacrosse team had another strong season in Conference II and earned a playoff berth. The baseball team also fought its way into the post season. In baseball, Mike DeStefano and Derek Weber were named All-County. In girls lacrosse, Alexandra Kain and Amy Kemmler were named All-County. In softball, Caitlyn Orlando and Lauren Raffetto earned All-County honors.

The girls track and field team continued to excel. In its fourth year of existence, the team is enjoying its finest season under coach Kristin Degnan. Mineola completed its conference regular season with a record of 10-3, good for third place. In the division championships on May 9 at North Shore High School, the girls finished second behind the undefeated conference champ, Valley Stream North.

The Mustangs also had conference champions from the girls soccer and volleyball teams.

The story of the year for the Mustangs was the boys soccer team, which captured the Long Island championship with teamwork and resiliency.

From the Long Island champion boys soccer team, Gustavo Dias was honored as an All-State player. He and Michael Marques were also named All-County. Oswaldo Hernandez was voted All-County Honorable Mention. Nick Tonini, Mathias Muller, Helder Cancelinha and Nuno Rodrigues were named All-Conference.

Five members of the football team were honored as well. Dave Gouveia was voted All-County Honorable Mention. Leo Morales was named All-Conference. John Cloghessy and Nelson Lopes were honored as National Football Foundation Scholar Athletes while Tiago Rodriques was named the team's Unsung Hero.

From the girls volleyball team, Elizabeth Campbell was voted All-County while Jill Shanahan was named All-Conference.

The girls soccer season brought an All-Class B honor to Alyssa Glenn and an All-Conference honor to Alexandra Kain. Senior Scholar Athletes are Kain and Julia Yan.

From the cross country team, Lauren Mobyed and Nicole Wissler were voted All-Conference and All-Division. From the boys squad, Joe Wellbrock was named All-Division.

Congratulations to the Mustangs for a great sports year.