Genoa’s D’Emilio hopes to return to state

Genoa’s wrestling team returns six district qualifiers in senior Damian D’Emilio, juniors Adam Bates, Thor Morrison and Matt Herrick and sophomores Andrew Muir and Seth Moore.

“The expectations are high, and the kids are eager to meet them,” Comets coach Bob Bergman said. “There’s a lot of excitement with a young team. We’re green, but it will be a great year.”

D’Emilio, who is more vocal this season, qualified to state as a sophomore and was an alternate last year. He also took an NBC title.

“He was in a deep weight class,” Bergman said. “It was a tough district bracket. He’s hungry and committed. He’s a silent soldier who comes to work. He’s a senior leader by example. I’m tickled to see him grabbing the team.”

But D’Emilio also does what he needs to on the mat, making good adjustments and playing chess with his opponents.

“He’s very coachable and cerebral,” Bergman said. “He does a good job grinding people out when he’s on top. Our hopes are that he’s on the podium in Columbus. He’s done everything to put himself in that position.”

Herrick and Bates each won 39 matches last season. Herrick topped a state placer and a state qualifier.

“He’s a man among boys, and we’re ecstatic to see the damage he can do,” Bergman said of Herrick. “Every year he’s made a huge improvement. Bates has a huge heart. He puts in the work.”

Freshmen Dylan D’Emilio and twins Julian and Oscar Sanchez could have an immediate impact reinforcing the light weights. D’Emilio won at Fargo and was fifth at the Cadet World Trials over the summer.

Sophomores Darian Gugle and Xavier Beach also are in the mix.

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter:@MatthewHornNH