Late Reversal Propels Winchester Senior Into Wrestling Semifinals

Kai Napadow Baquero rallies against two-time champion, while West Springfield's Beckett Leclair also takes out a reigning finalist.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a thrilling turn of events at the MIAA Wrestling All-State Tournament, Winchester senior Kai Napadow Baquero rallied against two-time Division 2 champion Johnny Moraes to advance to the semifinals. Meanwhile, West Springfield sophomore Beckett Leclair also pulled off an upset, defeating reigning finalist Jimmy Lally of St. John's Prep.

Why it matters

Napadow Baquero's victory over his Middlesex League rival Moraes, whom he was 0-2 against previously, showcases his growth and determination to prove he belongs at the top level. Leclair's win over the top-seeded Lally, whom he lost to in the regular season, demonstrates the unpredictability and competitiveness of the tournament.

The details

Napadow Baquero, who placed sixth at All-States last year, got the first takedown against Moraes and continued to battle even after Moraes tied it. Leclair, a West Springfield sophomore, made the winning takedown in the waning seconds of the second period against Lally, avenging a close loss in the regular season.

  • Napadow Baquero and Moraes faced off in the same round as last year.
  • Leclair lost a close match to Lally in the regular season before defeating him 4-1 at the tournament.

The players

Kai Napadow Baquero

A senior wrestler from Winchester High School who rallied to defeat his Middlesex League rival, two-time Division 2 champion Johnny Moraes, to advance to the semifinals of the MIAA Wrestling All-State Tournament.

Johnny Moraes

A two-time Division 2 champion wrestler who was previously 2-0 against Napadow Baquero before losing to him in the tournament.

Beckett Leclair

A sophomore wrestler from West Springfield High School who defeated reigning finalist Jimmy Lally of St. John's Prep in the tournament.

Jimmy Lally

The top-seeded 144-pound wrestler from St. John's Prep who was defeated by Leclair in the tournament after winning their regular season matchup.

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What they’re saying

“Having more matches with other good kids gave me more confidence that I can win these tough matches. I put in the work. I can tough out these hard matches.”

— Kai Napadow Baquero (Boston Globe)

“It makes me want it more. Just knowing I've had close bouts with him before, close matches with other kids that are really good. It makes me want to prove I'm on that level.”

— Kai Napadow Baquero (Boston Globe)

“His head was sitting on my hip. I do that move a lot. I knew there was a short time left, so if I didn't hit it, he wasn't going to score off me on it. I let it go. It paid off.”

— Beckett Leclair (Boston Globe)

What’s next

The winner of the semifinal match between Napadow Baquero and his opponent will advance to the championship final on Saturday.

The takeaway

This tournament has showcased the growth and determination of young wrestlers like Napadow Baquero and Leclair, who are proving they can compete with and defeat the top wrestlers in the state, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the MIAA Wrestling All-State Tournament.