Long Beach Athletes Celebrate Triumphant Winter Season

Long Beach athletes celebrated an excellent winter sports season on March 3, just a day after the ice hockey team brought home its second consecutive state crown. The boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, cheer leading, gymnastics, boys swim, boys and girls track, and wrestling teams were also commended for outstanding achievements.

Coached by Joe Brand and assistants Keith Casey, Dickie Chimienti and Mike Medrano, the ice hockey team won its state tournament in Jamestown on March 2 after celebrating the same victory a year ago. This is the team’s fifth state champion title and third straight undefeated season.

The boys basketball team and gymnastics team each won their respective conference championships, while the wrestling team secured its eighth consecutive League Champion distinction.

Wrestler Jeremiah Echevarria, a three-time All-County athlete and two-time state qualifier, was presented with a plaque in honor of his second place finish at the state level. Numerous athletes across all winter teams achieved county, conference, league, division and state level recognition.

The boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, gymnastics, cheer leading, boys swim and boys and girls track teams were recognized as scholar athlete teams for having averages of 90 or higher. Additionally, more than 85 individual students earned scholar athlete distinctions.