Uniondale’s girls wrestling team celebrated a inaugural Nassau girls wrestling dual meet championship, but for coach Timothy godoy and his wrestlers, the real story goes far beyond one thrilling night on the mat.
In just its second season, the program has quickly become one of Nassau County’s fastest-growing and most successful teams, offering female athletes an opportunity that didn’t exist in the district before.
“This win is really just the first step,” godoy said after Uniondale secured the Section VIII team county championship with a dramatic 34–30 victory over Long Beach, decided in the final bout of the night.
“Last year we ended up winning the individual county championships, which was great for us as a first year program,” godoy said. “It’s another step in the right direction.”
The match, held at Long Beach Middle School, wasn’t just another meet — it was historic. The event marked the first-ever Dual Meet Championship in Nassau County girls wrestling, featuring Uniondale, Long Beach, Roosevelt and MacArthur high schools. Uniondale and Long Beach advanced to the finals, with Uniondale clinching the inaugural title.
Uniondale started its girls wrestling program last winter. With support from athletic director Pete Cardone and Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the district committed to offering girls a full varsity team rather than a club.
“With their help we were able to do that (create the program),” godoy said.
Nearly 30 wrestlers joined in the first season. This winter, interest grew to about 45, with roughly 35 still active late into the season. For the school, the sport is growing at a rapid rate.
Unlike other schools with combined teams, Uniondale’s roster is entirely homegrown.
That growth mirrors a wider trend. Countywide participation in girls wrestling jumped from just over 100 athletes last season to roughly 350 this year — a 50 percent increase.
godoy explained, “We just have a staff committed to helping kids become better people. The boys and girls programs support each other. It feels like one big family.”
godoy, who also coaches the boys team, credits that support for the girls’ early success. Several Uniondale wrestlers competed in offseason tournaments, and two traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, for national competition. Many plan to train year-round.
The season isn’t over. Individual county championships are next, where wrestlers compete for spots in the state tournament. Several Uniondale athletes are ranked among the top in their weight classes.
Even more promising is the growth at the younger level. godoy said they are planning on making a middle school wrestling team.“That’s what will really cement the sport,” godoy said. “If girls start wrestling in seventh and eighth grade, they come to high school with a foundation already in place.”
With only a few seniors graduating and more underclassmen expected to return, the team in building up.
“These girls tried something new, and they found something they love,” godoy said. “That’s what this program is really about.
