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The wrestling season is not quite over yet for the three captains of this past year’s Winchester High team. They are also members of Natick’s MetroWest United Wrestling Club, and together Kai Napadow Baquero, Eddie Donlon and Maria Baldwin were selected to wrestle on its national team, which is “an accomplishment on its own,” said WHS Assistant Coach Vitaly Napadow.
These three Winchester wrestlers recently competed in the 27th annual NHSCA (National High School Coaches Association) National Duals from May 23-25 in Virginia Beach, Va. It’s one of the most competitive wrestling tournaments in the country.
“There are club teams and super teams (all-star teams of nationally ranked wrestlers assembled by agents) participating in this tournament from all over the country, and all three of our wrestlers (did well), while representing the MetroWest United Wrestling Club,” said Napadow.
His son, Kai, finished with a 5-1 record over two days that specifically resulted in two major decisions and a pin. Donlon went 3-3 that included two pins. Baldwin took part in the girls portion of the tournament, and accounted for a 4-2 record with four pins.
Kai and Eddie are just months away from beginning their collegiate wrestling careers at Cornell University and Emmanuel College, respectively. Maria is set to return as a senior captain of the Red & Black next winter to help lead the varsity to another winning campaign.
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.
