Long Beach eyes biggest prize

Led by eight All-County winners and a pair of Nassau Division 1 champions, Long Beach finished runner-up to Wantagh in both the dual meet playoffs and county tournament last winter.

Now with five of their best on the mat back in the fold, the Marines are aiming for a county title in what coach Ray Adams believes on paper has no clearcut favorite.

“There really isn’t one team heads and shoulders above the rest in my opinion,” Adams said. “We should be right in the mix. The kids have been working hard all offseason. Our top guys need to perform up to expectations and the next-level kids need to take steps forward. That’s usually what it takes to win it all.”

Two-time county champion and one-time state champ Dunia Sibomana is the face of Long Beach’s program and brought a career record of 69-9 into his sophomore campaign. He’s ranked No. 1 in Nassau at 108 pounds. “He’s on track to be one of the program’s all-time best,” Adams said. “His technique and strength are on point. We’ve been working a lot on match strategy with him. His goal is to reclaim the top step on the podium in the state.”

Ethan Andreula will look to carry over momentum from last February when he became the first-ever seventh-grader to capture a Nassau D1 crown. He finished one win away from All-State status as well at 99 pounds. “Like Dunia, Ethan had a great offseason competing in high-level tournaments all over the country,” Adams explained. “He just keeps getting better.”

Senior Greg Milone is knocking on the county championship door, Adams said, with a pair of All-County seasons already under his belt. He’ll compete at 152 or 160 by the time the home stretch hits in late January. “Greg wants to go out with a county title and go upstate,” Adams said. “He’s definitely highly ranked and in the conversation.”

Junior Gregory Walpole and sophomore Brody Franklin both placed third in the county last season. Franklin was a state qualifier at 110 and like Walpole will compete at 116 or 124. “Brody is tough and puts as much work in as anyone,” Adams said. “Gregory is one of the most exciting guys to watch on our team. He’s explosive and has all the tools.”

Senior Tyler Colclough (190) has county tournament victories on his resume and will look to be a force in the dual meet lineup and reach the All-County podium. The same goes for junior Liam Hastings at 215, senior Charles Rosenthal at 285 and freshman Casey Powers at 101. Powers, in his first varsity tournament, won the Battle at the Beach Dec. 2.

Some others being counted on to help the Marines make a push for the crown are seniors Maceo Eramo (131), Liam Perialis (160), Matan Greenfeld (170) and Rafael Almonte (285), junior Ari Kaye (145) and sophomores Matthew Diamond (138) and Jordan Andreula (145.) The latter won the Battle at the Beach’s JV event.