Newcomers bolster Oceanside lineup

Some unforeseen circumstances created some holes in Oceanside’s wrestling lineup before the roster was bolstered by a surprising influx of first-year senior competitors.
“These guys aren’t just here for the sake of being on the team,” Sailors coach Julio Flores said. “They’re really into it and working hard. They’ve all been very competitive and it’s nice to see them learning and progressing. I see all the potential. The tough part is we can’t keep them.”
Oceanside brought back only five wrestlers entering their fourth or third seasons in the program. It’s most accomplished returnee is sophomore Justin Marine, a qualifying tournament champion last winter who fell one win shy of earning All-County honors. He won 32 matches last season and headed into January needing 35 to reach the 100 plateau. “He’s looking pretty good with only a one-point loss in the Long Beach Tournament,” Flores said of Marine, a 145-pound captain. “He’s the same scrappy kid but only he’s gotten stronger, which is really going to help,” he added.
Marine took third place in the Battle at the Beach and was one of five Sailors to pick up a victory in a 51-30 non-league dual meet loss to rival Baldwin on Dec. 11. He had a pin in the first period against Jelani Dowe at 152.
Senior Dan Monge, expected to compete at 152 by season’s end, brings a lot of experience as well. “He’s coachable and aggressive,” Flores said. “He made the county tournament last year and we’re looking for him to get back and make a run to place.” Monge pinned Baldwin’s Joseph Ramirez in the 160-pound bout.

Flores is counting on senior Joiker Martinez (195) to at least duplicate last season’s success. Martinez missed his sophomore campaign due to injury but bounced back strong in 2018-19. He’s no stranger to producing pins and he did just that against Baldwin’s Matt Atanasia. “Joiker can definitely do some damage,” Flores said.
A relentless attacker like Marine, junior captain Luke Strianese (106) comes off a 30-win season. “Luke’s a returning county qualifier who has a lot of skill and toughness,” Flores said.
Senior Jared Gonzalez’s season was delayed by football and he’ll be ready to contribute at heavyweight soon, according to the coach. Gonzalez was on the cusp of All-County status as a junior, falling one win shy, and could get to the podium if he peaks at the right time.
Some of the newcomers to the program include seniors Francesco Difede, Darrin LaMantia and Ethan Michaelson. Difede and Lamantia are filling the 120/126 slots, while Michaelson is at 170.
Among the many youngsters with a bright future, Flores lauded the efforts of freshman Charles Leventhal, who already has a pair of All-Conference seasons under his belt. The 140-pounder is determined to punch his ticket into the county tournament, the coach said. Other key underclassmen include sophomore Hugh Bittenbender, freshmen Cole Parker and Andrew Cagno, and seventh-grader Jared Marine.
The Sailors will battle Farmingdale, Hicksville, Port Washington, Syosset and Westbury in Conference 1B.