Senator Honors State Mat Champ
Nigel McNeil
Nigel McNeil continues to reap honors after winning his second consecutive state wrestling championship. The Huntington High School senior was recently recognized by state Senator Carl Marcellino with a special legislative resolution.
McNeil, who has been recruited by a variety of colleges including Oklahoma and Central Michigan, is eyeing Rutgers University. Wherever he ends up next fall, Blue Devil head coach Kieran Mock said McNeil "will give that program every ounce of effort he has. He's done that for us. He did everything we asked of him."
Senator Marcellino came to Huntington High School to congratulate the teenager "on a job well done." The pair posed for a commemorative photo in the Blue Devil wrestling room where McNeil spent years training during his remarkable career. In addition to Mock, Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello was on hand along with Georgia D. McCarthy, district director of athletics.
McNeil is one of only five Huntington wrestlers to win two state mat crowns. He captured his last 80 straight matches over a three year period and compiled an overall mark of 165-16 in five years of varsity competition.
The resolution presented to McNeil by Senator Marcellino noted "It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those young people within the State of New York who, by achieving outstanding success in athletic competition, have inspired and brought pride to their school and community."
The resolution also praised Huntington's head man. "Whereas, Coach Kieran Mock has done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring Nigel McNeil toward his goals; and whereas, sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Coach Kieran Mock and Nigel McNeil have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence, which is a tradition of their school."
McNeil was graceful in accepting congratulations from the state legislator. "He's a great kid and we are really going to miss him next year," Mock said.