Bermudez, Wilmas to wrestle at New Mexico Highlands

 By the time Anthony Bermudez and Justin Wilmas wrapped up their wrestling careers at Kofa, they had become two of the most accomplished grapplers in school history.

 The two state champions each signed letters of intent to wrestle on at New Mexico Highlands University — an NCAA Division II school — next year.

 At New Mexico Highlands, Bermudez and Wilmas are going to a fairly new program. The school reintroduced the sport in 2006 after dropping it in 1987.

 "It's a small town where that college atmosphere and college athletics are the center of attention. They're going to a place where they're going to get to wrestle," Kofa coach Marty Dillon said. "I'm really excited that not only they get this opportunity, but I'm hoping they can set a precedent for kids to come. In my five years at Kofa these are the first two kids that have decided to take the challenge and do what they like best — wrestle — and get a college education at the same time."

 Wilmas said he is excited about the challenge to wrestle collegiality and added that he's looking forward to going to school out of state.

 "It's not too far away, but it's far enough away," Wilmas said. "It's a small school, it's really nice and Anthony was going to go too, so that was a plus that I'd know someone there."

 Wilmas moved to Yuma from Kansas his sophomore year. He finished fourth in the state at 215 pounds as a junior and capped his high school career with a state championship at 191 pounds this past season.

 Wilmas holds the Kofa single-season record with 58 match-wins his junior year and is second in career pins with 89 — and that's with only three years in the program.

 "I can't tell you how many times people say, 'we got this big transfer and this kid is just all-everything.' Rarely does that ever pan out," Dillon said. "Justin was the exception. He definitely lived up to all that he was made up to be."

 Bermudez, along with Alan Felix, are the only three-time state placers. He wrestled at 105 pounds his first three years, winning the state title his junior year and took The 2007 The Sun/Yuma Rotary Club's Wrestler of the Year honor that season.

 Bermudez moved up to 114 pounds his senior season and finished 44-2 and the state runner-up. He holds the school record for career wins with 174.

 "Anthony may have been one of the best to ever come through the program," Dillon said. "I really don't believe I've ever come across a young man who puts more time and dedication off the mat to stay in shape, maintain his weight and good nutrition."

 Bermudez said he has already started preparing for the next level by adding weight. The weight limit in college is 125 pounds.

 "I have another five pounds to gain to actually be at the weight limit," Bermudez said. "I already started lifting and I'll keep lifting as I go to try to get at least a little over. That's a big jump. I have to jump up about three weight classes now, so we'll see how it goes."

 Dillon said that what he most enjoyed about coaching Bermudez and Wilmas was their respectful nature, and he added that this opportunity in front of them will benefit them athletically, academically and personally.

 "As long as they stay and wrestle and they do well," Dillon said, "it obviously can do nothing but a world of good for growing up."