Table of Contents
The final and most prestigious high school wrestling tournament of the year is now in the books. Last weekend’s All-New England Meet, held annually in Providence, R.I., marked the end of another year for the sport that started all the way back on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
The regional classic brings together champs and those who finished just behind them – for instance, the top four in each weight class from the Bay State’s All-State Meet – from all six New England states. It’s their final stop in the arduous postseason grind that starts in the state sectionals.
The state divisional meet was next, followed by the All-States. After all of that, last weekend’s two-day wrestling extravaganza should be subtitled: “The Survival of the Fittest.”
Winchester had two qualifiers – senior captains Kai Napadow Baquero (120-pounds) and Eddie Donlon (138-pounds) – there in Providence.
“Both fought hard to come through with two victories apiece, going 2-2 (overall),” said volunteer Assistant Coach Vitaly Napadow. “Kai upset the New Hampshire state champion to make it to the quarterfinals that kicked off the second day of action on the mats.”
Donlon recorded a pin and a technical fall to account for his two victories, which prompted Napadow to say, “at this level of the tournament, it further solidifies (Eddie’s) grit and perseverance as a high school wrestler.”
When it was all said and done, Napadow Baquero finished the year with a 41-7 record, and was 122-44 over his four-year scholastic career. He is a two-time sectional champ, three-time top eight divisional finisher, before ending up in the top four twice in the All-States, which includes being a state finalist this year.
Donlon had an equally fine year, finishing up with a 45-11 record, and overall, was 138-51 throughout the last four years. He was a GDMF (Glen Doherty Memorial Fundraiser) Tournament champ, a 2026 sectional champ, two-time top eight divisional finisher, while being among the top four in the All-States once.
“Both kids exemplified leadership and steady growth for our wrestling program throughout the last four years,” said Napadow. “They set the benchmark for our future teams, but we'll still be following them (as collegiate wrestlers) next year.”
Kai is heading to Cornell University in the fall to wrestle for the Big Red, while Eddie is going to stay close to home to compete on the Emmanuel College squad.
The annual wrestling banquet is set for April 8 at Winchester’s Wright-Locke Farm. Doors will open up at 5:30 p.m. This annual event gives the Winchester wrestling community an opportunity to celebrate the effort, growth and accomplishments of each and every high school wrestler, who was in the program this season.
Head Coach Ryan Errico and his assistants Tomi Uyehara and Anthony Fraumeni will preside over the proceedings.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
