Three-peat for Long Beach

There was no panic after two-time defending champion Long Beach dropped each of the first five weights to Wantagh in last Saturday’s Nassau dual meet final at Clarke High School.

“Nobody was freaking out because we were down 21-0,” Marines coach Ray Adams said. “Wantagh had age and experience on us in the lower weights, but once we got rolling we were able to keep rolling.”

Three-time state champion Jacori Teemer got Long Beach pointed in the right direction with a victory by pin at 132 pounds, and the Marines took six of the next eight bouts, including pins by Tyrese Byron at 160 and Joe Giorlando at 195, to capture a third straight county dual meet title in thrilling fashion, 32-30.

“Both teams gave all they had and left everything on the mat,” Adams said. “It’s what makes high school sports so great. The match could’ve gone either way and unfortunately one team had to lose. We have tremendous respect for Wantagh.”

The most exciting bout of the day, and one Adams said ranks “right up there with any I’ve been a part of in more than 20 years” was Giorlando’s triumph over Nick Coppola. Giorlando beat Coppola twice earlier in the season but found himself trailing last Saturday, 6-3, in the closing seconds before securing a headlock that led to a pin with :05 left.

“It was one of those defining moments,” Adams said. “It’s a win Joe and all of his teammates and coaches will never forget. If he doesn’t pull through, our chances of winning would’ve been severely hindered down 30-23. Instead we went up 29-27.”

The Marines still had more work to do after Giorlando’s heroics. Elijah Rodriguez remained undefeated this season (25-0) with a 3-0 decision over Larry Baker at 220 pounds. Then it came down to 285, where Long Beach’s Marc Rivera was able to avoid a pin or tech fall against Gavin Casey with a 6-4 loss by decision.

“Marc wrestled a very smart match,” Adams said. “Had the score been different and we needed a win from him, he would’ve been much more aggressive. Instead, we put him into safe mode. He had a job to do and he came through for us.”

Other dynamic performances were turned in by John Colletti (145) and Charlie Spada (152), who won by major decision, and Brandon DeVivio (1670), who prevailed 7-2. “Every point mattered,” Adams said. “Even the matches we lost at the lower weights, our kids battled and didn’t allow Wantagh to get a larger lead than it did.”

Earlier in the day, Long Beach defeated Garden City, 87-0, in the quarterfinals and Massapequa, 53-22, in the semis. The Marines finished the season undefeated in 16 dual meets. “It was a special day and we had a great crowd behind us,” Adams said.

Next up is the Nassau Qualifying Tournament. Long Beach is one of six host schools and will compete against Lynbrook, Hewlett, Bethpage, Baldwin and Valley Stream Central this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.