Nassau wrestling: Long Beach experience key
Long Beach's cupboard is stocked like a fallout shelter's food supply, which means one thing: the defending Nassau champion is set to do it again.
The Marines return seven wrestlers who placed third or higher at last season's county championship. In nearly every weight class, from 96 pounds to 160, they are loaded with big-meet experience.
"It's a huge benefit," coach Ray Adams said of his team's veteran presence. "One of the things we do is put our kids through the proverbial wringer, week in and week out. We also do it in the offseason, having these kids wrestle year-round and bringing them to national tournaments."
Leading the charge for Long Beach is junior Dylan Palacio, who won the 119-pound county title as a freshman and was second at 140 as a sophomore.
"He sets the tone for kids, as far as his work ethic," Adams said. "That rubs off on the rest of the team and the younger kids, to see him train like that."
Palacio will tackle the 145-pound class this season, while reigning 135-pound county runner-up Nick Khoury moves to 140. Both are among the favorites at their respective weights.
Palacio's skill set will enable to him to wrestle at 160 or 171 for certain dual meets, according to Adams. At 145, however, he is the wrestler to beat.
"He put on a lot of muscle since last year," Adams said. "I don't think he'll have trouble making the weight. He is primed and ready to go."
Elsewhere for the Marines, Edisson Tigre-Borja, last year's runner-up at 130, should settle in at 135. Mark Raghunandan (103), Matt Gray (112) and Oral Allen (119) are all expected to be in the mix for individual crowns.
"We've established a high bar," Adams said. "When kids come to the program, they know what to expect from Long Beach wrestling, both on and off the mat."
The fates finally appear to be aligned for Longwood. After third-place Suffolk finishes the last two years, the Lions - who return seven All-County wrestlers from last year - are poised to make a run at the team title.
"It would mean a lot to me for the kids," coach Mike Picozzi said. "These kids have dedicated themselves and, in my opinion, deserve to win. Now, they just have to get it in their minds that they will do this."
The All-County returnees include Corey Rasheed, who finished fourth at 103 pounds last season and will settle in at either 112 or 119. Casey Brice and Malik Rasheed (runner-up at 112 pounds) should compete for individual titles at 125 and 130 pounds. Nick Hall will move up to 140 or 145 after a fourth-place showing at 135 in 2009.
Picozzi now must find a way to piece together the rest of his lineup. "Trying to get everyone in the lineup is our big thing," he said. "We have so many kids that have really dedicated themselves to wrestling that you want to give them as many matches as you can."
