Mineola Scholar Athletes Commended At Board Meeting

Written by Rich Forestano: rforestano@antonnews.com Friday, 29 June 2012 00:00

Seven students recognized for on and off-field accomplishments

Mineola School District Superintendent Michael Nagler honored seven Mineola High School athletes for their accomplishments at the June 21 business meeting. Seniors Joe Massaro, Kerri Medlock, Quinn Paggi, Steve Napolitano, Robbie Clarkin, Zachary Englis, and Matthew Moro were present.

Englis ran cross-country fall, winter and spring track and is Mineola High School’s salutatorian. He will attend Hofstra University in the fall.

Massaro played football, wrestling and lacrosse. He was All-County in football and lacrosse and named “Athlete of the Year.” He will attend Sacred Heart University in the fall.

“For those of you who don’t follow our county sports or are not familiar with it, All-County players are selected by all the coaches of all the teams,” Nagler said. “You have to distinguish yourself. All-County is one of the highest achievements you can get when playing high school sports.”

Massaro spearheaded a project with fellow senior Nick Rutigliano entitled, “Walk Through the Years at Mineola High School,” which celebrated the high school’s 50th anniversary. The exhibit featured 18 MHS alums. Sixteen of them are current or former teachers.

Medlock attained All-County honors in basketball, lacrosse and was also named “Athlete of the Year.” She chose Iona College as her destination for higher learning.

Paggi played football, basketball and lacrosse. He unanimously won the “Coaches Old-Reliable Award” and will attend Siena College in the fall.

Napolitano attained All-County status in football, but injured his ankle, which curtailed his football season. He won the Sportsmanship Award and will attend the University of Albany in the fall.

“I was very happy to see him make it back at the end of the season and play a few games,” Nagler said.

All-County football player Clarkin had a night to remember…or not…during a match up in the fall. He will attend SUNY Oneonta in September.

“Robbie had one of the best games he may never remember due to a concussion he received during the game and played in spite of that and took the team to victory,” Nagler stated.

Moro played basketball and lacrosse. He suffered two knee injuries, but came back from both and played in spite of the severity of the blows. He won the Reggie Carter Award and will attend Fordham University.

“This is a sampling of our athletes,” Nagler said. “There are several that couldn’t make it that had All-County or other distinctions. This is what we’re about. We’re about academics and sports and all the things we offer and I’m happy to recognize you publicly. Congratulations.”