By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole Timberwolves wrestling team took to the mat Wednesday December 17, 2025 against the Natick Redhawks with a clear sense of purpose, determination, and pride, continuing an important season of growth under first-year head coach John McKeon. Though the meet tested the Timberwolves against a strong and experienced opponent, Walpole’s effort, resilience, and leadership were on full display from start to finish.
The events opened with a youth wrestling competition between Walpole and Natick followed by junior varsity matches both of which were not part of last year’s home matches.
McKeon, a Walpole alumnus and a Walpole Middle School teacher, brings new local leadership to the team. McKeon was a Walpole assistant wrestling coach until 2019 when he moved over to Oliver Ames to become their varsity coach. This season he is back in his hometown bringing fresh energy to the sidelines and in the locker room.
The Timberwolf co-captains are senior Jackson Doherty, the winner of the Unsung Hero Award last season, and junior Issac Mills.
The match with Walpole was the first dual meet of the year for the Natick Redhawks. They have won the Bay State Conference Championship (BSC) six years in a row. They have 47 consecutive BSC wins. Natick wrestling is nearly as good as Walpole field hockey.
Walpole’s first dual meet of the season was against Wellesley. Then Walpole competed with 13 other schools at Oliver Ames High School in the Devin Ness Tournament. Sophomore Lauren McAteer came in 1st in her weight class. Jackson Doherty finished 2nd. Sophomore Aiden Doherty, junior Cam Ayers, junior Jeremiah Colon and sophomore Sullivan Kitteson all placed 5th while Mills and sophomore Paul Howard placed 6th.
Last season, McAteer made it to the final state championship match as a freshwoman. She was also voted Rookie of the Year by her Walpole teammates. This season she is ranked 2nd in Massachusetts in the female 120lb weight class. She’s ranked 16th in the state for girls across all weight classes.
The individual standout performance against Natick came from Jackson Doherty, who delivered a thrilling bout that went down to the final ten seconds. Doherty’s match was the only contest of the evening to reach the third round, showcasing his stamina, focus, and technical skill. Wrestling with poise and confidence, Doherty built a lead and maintained control through most of the match, engaging in intense scrambles and smart positional wrestling. Ultimately Doherty dropped a narrow decision on points. While the result was close, the performance itself served as a statement—one of leadership, perseverance, and high-level execution.
Colon was an Honorable Mention Bay State Conference all-star last season.
Walpole wrestlers repeatedly showed the determination that defines the Timberwolves’ identity—stepping onto the mat against a formidable opponent and competing through every second. The evening offered meaningful moments of perseverance, growth, and promise for a Walpole program continuing to build toward its return to glory.
