The Mineola Athletic Booster Club held its annual dinner to honor the varsity athletes who participated in Mineola's athletic program during the 2005-2006 school year. In the elegant setting of the Jericho Terrace, there was a lot to celebrate as the Mustangs put together a memorable year from individual accomplishments to the accomplishments of the teams.

During the 2005-2006 year, the Mineola athletic program has produced excellent performances, displayed sportsmanship and exhibited camaraderie. "We demonstrated sportsmanship. We worked very hard. We don't give up. I'm proud to be a Mustang," said director of athletics Ralph Amitrano, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

Mineola Athletic Booster Club President Matt Sanderleaf welcomed everyone to the dinner. He congratulated the student-athletes and thanked the administrators, members of the board of education, principal, athletic director and all the varsity coaches and assistant coaches for another successful year. Sanderleaf also thanked the members of the Booster Club, especially John Cloghessy, Gina Hahn and Donna Tiseo, who will all be leaving the Booster Club board. These three individuals, he said, served at nearly every position of responsibility over the years. He also thanked Hahn and Sue Hock for making the dinner a reality and securing the beautiful Jericho Terrace as the venue.

The evening gave the school community an opportunity to honor individual accomplishments and team accomplishment, of which there were plenty this season.

The biggest honors of the evening were the male and female athletes of the year. Nick Tonini was named the male athlete of the year. Tonini is an All-Conference soccer player, an All-County and All-State wrestler and a member of the baseball team. The traits that are key for an athlete of the year are athletic achievement, leadership, skill, pride and commitment are traits that Tonini possesses.

The female athlete of the year is Allie Kain, an All-Conference and Senior Scholar Athlete in soccer, a member of the winter track team, an All-County and an Academic All American in lacrosse. Amitrano said Kain has ability, works hard and conducts herself with pride and class.

Another individual award was the Old Reliable Award for the athlete who displays loyalty to the team and sportsmanship and possesses a passion for the game. That award was given deservedly to Roseanne Mercurio.

An individual honor was the Brick Wall award given to lacrosse goalie Leo Morales, who faced numerous shots during the season, turning away more than half.

The evening also gave coaches and athletes the opportunity to reflect on some memorable moments. The dinner put a cap on what was an amazing run for the boys soccer team, the Class A Long Island champions. Coach Paul Pereira talked about the championship being a total team effort and said he was continuously humbled by the support of the community.

Coach Frank Massaro and Assistant Coach Dan Guido also honored the Conference Champion girls lacrosse team, which went 11-0 in conference in posting a 15-3 overall record.

Coaches Kristin Frazer and Mike Santa Maria also had the opportunity to honor the track and field athletes who have continued to make the track program successful. From Rob Olszewski practicing his throws in the snow to the championship performances of Samantha Hegmann, the track and field program is thriving in Mineola.

In reflecting on the accomplishments of the Mineola athletes, it is true that every athlete, by participating, has accomplished much in his or her commitment. Each and every athlete should be saluted as well as his or her parents who have also made that commitment. Congratulations to the Mustangs athletes, their parents, their coaches and the Booster Club for another memorable year.

Here is a look at the award winners:

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.

Mineola also is honored to have the girls soccer team and girls volleyball teams attain Scholar-Athlete awards.

Here are some of the other honorees:

Girls Bowling

All-County - Danielle Rivera

All-Conference - Kelly Munson, Desiree Perez

Boys Basketball

All-Conference - Nelson Lopes

Girls Basketball

All-County - Samantha Hegman

All-Conference - Christine Medlock

All-Division - Jamie Medlock

Senior Scholar Athlete - Lauren Napolitano

Girls Track & Field

All-County

Lauren Massa - Racewalk

Lauren Mobyed - 4X800 Relay

Kristin Mobyed - 4X800 Relay

Alia Fater - 4X800 Relay

Julia Yan - 4X800 Relay

Justine Boeshore - Pole Vault

All-Conference

Katie Carter - 4X200 Relay

Alia Fater - 4X400 Relay

Kasey Hughes - 4X200 Relay

Allie Kain - 4X400 Relay

Josephine Manzella - 4X200 Relay

Lauren Massa - Racewalk

Kristin Mobyed - 3,000, 6,000, 4X800 Relay

Lauren Mobyed - 1,000, 1,500, 4X400 Relay

Julia Novak - 4X800 Relay

Melissa Pastoressa - 4X400 Relay

Jen Port - 4X800 Relay

Julia Yan - 600 meters, high jump, 4X200 Relay

Boys Track & Field

All-County

Rob Olszewski - Shot Put

All-Conference

Claudio DeMatos, Rob Maloney, Danny Sanches, Matt Siwinski, Tijo Thomas and John Valente.

Wrestling

All-State - Nick Tonini

All-County - Kevin Brostek, Andrew Gross, Michael Marques, Leo Morales, Michael Roo and Helder Santiago.

All-Conference - Carl Nunziata, Rich Baierwalter, Mike Granath and Zane Kearney.

Two of the winter teams also were honored as scholar athlete teams. The girls basketball and girls track & field squads each attained at least a 90 academic average.

Baseball

All-County - Tiago Rodrigues

All-Conference - Mike Santopetro, Mick Oswald

All League - Kevin Tiseo

Softball

All Conference - Nicole Reardon

All Division - Roseanne Mercurio, Regina LaCourte

Boys Lacrosse

All Conference - Michael Marques, Kurt Hetzer

Academic All Conference - Kurt Hetzer

Unsung Hero - Ian Stanisic

Girls Lacrosse

All County - Kasey Hughes, Marisa Jetter, Alexandra Kain

Honorable Mention All County - Lauren Mobyed

Scholar Athlete - Grace Martorella

All Conference - Katie Carter, Kristin Mobyed

Unsung Hero - Alyssa Glenn

Academic All-American - Alexandra Kain, Grace Martorella, Kristin Mobyed, Lauren Mobyed

Spring Track and Field

All County - Samanth Hegmann, Julia Yan, Rob Kiss

County Champion - Samantha Hegmann in Discus and Shotput

All Division - Julia Yan, Lauren Napolitano, Alia Fater, Samantha Hegmann, Nicole Wissler, Jen Pawlowski, Dave Gouveia, Rob Kiss, Rob Olszewski

Division Champion - Alia Fater, Jen Pawlowski, Nicole Wissler, Julia Yan, Samantha Hegmann.

The girls lacrosse and girls spring track & field teams were also recipients of the scholar-athlete team award.