A pair of All-State repeat Nassau champions lead a Long Beach wrestling team that looks to defend its Conference A2 title after going unbeaten in league last winter at 5-0 (13-2 overall).
Marines phenoms Dunia Sibomana, ranked No. 1 in Nassau Division 1 pre-season at 116 pounds, and Ethan Andreula, No. 1 at 101, took a third and second county title last season in Division 1, respectively – Sibomana at 108 pounds, Andreula repeating at 101. The defending county titlists headline a stacked Marines lineup alongside fellow All-Stater Gregory Walpole (senior) and two-time All-County junior Brody Franklin – ranked third and second, respectively, in Nassau Division 1 at 124 pounds.
Long Beach – which finished first at the county Division 1 qualifier as host, and at last December’s King of the Mat tournament at Hewlett – returns to A2 ranked second in the county in Division 1, the Marines’ eyes on a prize Long Beach last held in 2017.
"This year I think the county championship’s up for grabs,” said Marines coach Ray Adams. “That’s the goal; the kids are excited for that. And we’re bringing back some tough kids, with more experience.”
Sibomana – who since becoming Nassau’s second-ever eighth-grade wrestler to win a state title has seen his impressive resume expand alongside growing celebrity – made news even over the offseason. In July Sibomana – named Most Outstanding Wrestler at three tournaments last season – took first in Grecco-Roman at the famed USMC Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, then announced in November he’s committed to wrestle at the University of North Carolina.
“We’re very proud of Dunia,” Adams said. “UNC’s a good spot for him. He’s definitely earned it.”
Andreula, meanwhile, has blazed a trail of his own, mirroring that of his fellow top-ranked teammate. After placing third at state in February, Andreula – who in 2023 became Nassau's first-ever seventh-grade wrestler to win a county crown in Division 1 – took the middle-school title at 100 pounds at April’s NHSCA Nationals (Virginia Beach).
“Ethan’s just tough, a workhorse” Adams said. “And always stepping up his game.”
Added Adams: “[Success in] the national tournaments, the big stage, should help both Ethan and Dunia. They both will have some tough challenges this year. But they’re game.”
While ranked at 124 pounds, Franklin – who finished third at that weight last season at county – will wrestle at 131, Adams said. Walpole – seventh at state and county runner-up at 116 last season – is slated to start at 124 for Long Beach.
“Brody’s poised to take that next step, go win upstate,” Adams said. “Gregory Walpole is back looking to return to counties and upstate, where he’s done well and can go farther.”
Adams also pointed to All-League sophomores Casey Powers – 101-pound champ last season at Long Beach’s Battle at the Beach tournament – and Blake Vasaturo – who finished third at 108 in the county qualifier – as Marines anchors in the making. Jordan Andreula (junior, 152 pounds) and Nick Zackaris (freshman, 116) also return as All-Leaguers for Long Beach.
“We’re excited for the challenge this year,” Adams said. “The kids put in a great offseason. Everyone’s looking forward. This year I think we have a good shot.”