Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez’s Long Beach career ended the way it started — with another New York State wrestling championship.
The senior captured his third title, beating Manhasset’s Will Russell, 7-1, to win the 118-pound weight class at the Division I state tournament at MVP Arena in Albany last Saturday evening.
“It was a wonderful feeling,” Long Beach head coach Ray Adams said. “It was a perfect ending to his career as a Long Beach Marine.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez, who won the 102-pound state championship as an eighth- grader in 2022 and the 116-pound title last season, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“It still feels great,” Sibomana-Rodriguez said on Monday. “It’s like a relief to relax now a little bit. We didn’t have practice today, and it felt very weird. I miss all those guys already. It’s definitely going to be different without them.”
Two weeks earlier, Sibomana-Rodriguez defeated Russell 1-0 in the Nassau Division I final to capture a fifth county title.
Adams, whose daughter Reese placed second at 126 pounds in the girls’ finals, told Sibomana-Rodriguez to be more aggressive in the rematch, and the result was a dominant performance capped by a patented celebratory backflip.
“For the states, my goal was really to just open up,” he said. “I had to tell myself that I’m the best one there and there’s a reason I got the No. 1 seed. I came in with the mentality that I’m not giving anybody anything. They gotta earn it. That’s what I did. I went out there and took what I came there to do.”
Sibomana-Rodriguez, who placed third in the state tournament at 110 pounds in 2023 and second at 108 in 2024, will head to the University of North Carolina as one of the greatest wrestlers in Long Beach history, according to Adams, joining five-time New York State champion Jacori Teemer and Al Palacio, a three-time New York State champion.
“He’s on the Mount Rushmore of Long Beach wrestling,” coach Adams said of Sibomana-Rodriguez, who finished with a 203-17 career record.
As he closes this chapter, Sibomana-Rodriguez’s fondest memory of Long Beach wrestling is not the championships won, but the lifelong relationships he’s forged.
“Everyone here is family,” he said. “It’s one big community. It’s one big family of people who love you and support you. Honestly, I don’t know where else you can find that. They’re always going to be there to support me and cheer me on.”
Andreula finishes states-runner up
Long Beach sophomore Ethan Andreula reached the 110-pound final, falling to North Babylon’s Xavier Seabury, 1-0. The two met in the Eastern States Classic, with Andreula winning 3-1.
“I was really proud of Ethan. He’s only a sophomore, and he’s a four-time all-state wrestler already, which is incredible,” Adams said. “I’m really confident he’s going to put in the work, and I have no doubt Ethan will get to the top of that podium before it’s all said and done.”
Franklin earns All-State as well
Brody Franklin reached the semifinals at 132 pounds, where he lost to eventual champion Marco Futia of Wallkill. Franklin rallied to defeat Hilton’s John Testa, 7-5, to take fourth place.
“I’m really proud of him and his perseverance this season,” Adams said of Franklin.
Long Beach finished third in the team standings.
“It’s just a testament to the kids and how hard they work and all our coaches getting them ready,” said Adams, who was inducted into the New York State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in Albany. “It was quite a weekend for us.”
