Long Island Ducks Waddle Off With First Half Title

The Long Island Ducks defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters 2-1 on July 1 to sweep the four-game series and earn the 2012 First Half Liberty Division title.

The Skeeters took a one-run lead in the top of the third off Ducks starter Dan Meyer on a RBI sac fly by Ofilio Castro. After a 54-minute rain delay, both teams traded zeroes until the bottom of the sixth when Shawn Williams knocked a RBI single to right tying the game at 1-1.

Mineola Senior Breakfast And Athletic Awards Banquet

The Mineola Athletic Department announced the following senior award winners. These awards were presented at the Senior Breakfast and the Athletic Awards Banquet.

Joe Massaro and Kerri Medlock –Athletes of the Year
Quinn Paggi and Nicole Lockwood –Old Reliable Coaches Award
Steven Napolitano and Alicia Mercurio –Sportsmanship Award
Kelsey Napolitano and Robbie Clarkin –Student Athlete Leadership Award
Tom Breslin, Robbie Clarkin, Zachary Englis, Matthew Moro, Kevin Mulder, Nicole Vella, Craig Weber, David Gorry and Kerri Medloc –Booster Club Senior Scholarship Award Winners

Local Students Attain Belt Promotions

Students at Charles Water Karate & Fitness, located in Williston Park have received belt promotions after successfully completing a series of extensive exams.

“Our goal at Charles Water’s Karate & Fitness is to facilitate mental growth enabling our students to reach their highest potential as human beings,” said Charles Water, owner and director of the school.  “Our studio teaches students how to defend themselves responsibly while instilling self-confidence, self-discipline and respect for others.”

Mineola Scholar Athletes Commended At Board Meeting

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.

Lady Mustang Lacrosse Team Looks To Build On Experience In 2013

Team looks to fight for playoff spot next year

High school sports are ruled by roster turnover from year to year. As one year ends, you never really know what the next year will bring.

Every year the most experienced members of a team move on, while new members get ready to develop and fill the shoes of those before them. The success of former teams does not guarantee success in the future, as every team must develop and grow on their own.

Mineola Girls Varsity Track Looks To Continue Success Next Year

Coach feels future is bright for running squad

The Mineola Girls Varsity Spring Track and Field team fought for conference and county championships and coach John Fretz knew that his team was up for a challenge.

Consisting of about 20 girls, the team is put at a disadvantage because of its size.

Union Rags Turns To Riches At 144th Belmont Stakes

With I’ll Have Another scratched, another notch set into Affirmed’s belt as last Triple Crown winner

What’s in a name? Or perhaps two names? For jockey John Velazquez, it’s two big wins at the Belmont Stakes in the last five years with the West Hempstead resident atop Union Rags in 2012, edging out Paynter by a neck on Saturday, June 9. Atigun came in to show.

The 126 pound jockey said it was an unbelievable race, even though the win didn’t come with spoiling history. I’ll Have Another was scratched one day before a chance to push Affirmed aside in the history books as the last to win all three jewels of the Triple Crown. The horse became the second since 1936 to win the first two legs, only to be unable to compete in the “Test of Champions.”

Neigh It Ain’t So…

Belmont fans react to I’ll Have Another race scratch

After a 33-year drought without a Triple Crown winner at the Belmont Stakes, many were looking forward to witnessing I’ll Have Another go for history in the 144th annual race. Disappointment and surprise, however, soon came to racing fans when it was announced just a mere day before his attempt at history, that the Belmont favorite was being scratched from the race due to tendonitis in his left leg.

While many may not have made the trek to Elmont this year without the treat of a Triple Crown, longtime racing fan Louis Howe still made the 3-hour drive from North Hampton, MA to see the race.

MHS Varsity Softball Looks To Feed Off Of 2012 Success In ’13

Core of young talent to play huge part next season

The inspiration for this “field of dreams” didn’t exactly come from a dream and most likely won’t be played on by the ghost of famous old time baseball players, but the story of the brand new softball field at Mineola High School, and the season that was played on it, created a stir nonetheless.

As the Mineola School District underwent a reconfiguration that included the loss of the Cross Street Elementary School, the Mineola Varsity Softball team needed a new place to call home, no longer having access to the Cross Street softball field that the team had played at for years.

Mineola Varsity Lacrosse Concludes Season

Mustangs look forward to 2013

Adversity is an inevitable part of sports. The 2012 Mineola Boys Varsity Lacrosse team found its way through early season distractions with a mid-season winning streak and playoff push.

With the promotion of coach Matt Antoniou, the team regained focus and stability.