Donald McNeil (left), recovered from a serious wrestling accident while a King Philip Regional sophomore, worked out last week with his brother, Ian, at Wadsworth Wrestling Club in Franklin. (Photos By Jim Davis/Globe Staff)
By Rick Seto


Three years ago, the reigning Division 2 state wrestling champion at 160 pounds for King Philip Regional High dislocated four vertebrae, pinching his spinal cord, at an offseason tournament in Virginia. The sophomore from Plainville was paralyzed when he was flown to Spaulding for treatment. Eight weeks later he walked out of the hospital, early steps in a comeback that saw him winning a national prep school title this winter.

In a benefit to honor Spaulding’s work with McNeil, the Wadsworth Wrestling Club in Franklin will host what is being billed as the inaugural New England All-Star Dual Wrestling Meet on Saturday.

“I think it’ll be a real fun event,’’ said Franklin High wrestling coach Carmine Colace, a co-owner of the Wadsworth club. “It’s at a good time of the year because after the Bay State Games and Junior Nationals, there’s not much going on’’ for local wrestlers, he said. “It’s just before kids go back to school, so it might be a nice way to end their great high school careers.’’

The tournament will feature 13 matches, pitting recent high school graduates against underclassmen. The field includes two national prep champions, 12 National High School Coaches Association or prep All-Americans, and 17 New England public school or prep champions. The lineup will feature nine grapplers from area schools, although not McNeil; now 18, he is rehabbing a meniscus tear in one knee as he prepares for his freshman year, on scholarship, at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

It has been a remarkable road for McNeil the last three years.

He was 15 years old when he was injured, after landing awkwardly when thrown to the mat during the Virginia tournament. After his condition was stabilized at a nearby hospital, he was flown by a medical-evacuation helicopter to Boston. Thanks to the efforts of Mike Atlas, administrator of www.masswrestling.com, the local wrestling community covered the cost of the $12,000 flight through a series of fund-raisers.

Nine months later, McNeil won another Division 2 state title.

And, after transferring to wrestling powerhouse Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa., in February he won the national prep championship in the 215-pound weight class.

“I owe everything’’ to Spaulding, said McNeil. “They were positive the whole time. As soon as I got there, they were talking to me about walking out and wrestling again. It gave me a lot of confidence.’’

Even though McNeil will not compete on Saturday, there will be a number of tantalizing matchups when the action starts shortly after 6 p.m.

The first bout features two New England champions in Newton North High grad Sam Shames (112 pounds) and New Hampshire’s Timberlane Regional High standout Zach Bridson (103), one of nine out-of-staters competing.

The field also includes a trio from Framingham High: Eric Flannery (135), John Coukos (130), and Rob Coukos (157). Representing Franklin High will be Dan Telhada (150) and Chris Kelly (124); there will be two wrestlers from Algonquin Regional, Mike Wrin (176) and Dillon Foley (157); and Dave Pinto (165) from Milford High.

Other stars include Dedham High’s Frank Mahoney (174); Bridgewater-Raynham Regional’s Matt Libby (145), and Barnstable native Nick Kidd, who won the New England prep title at 189 pounds for Northfield Mount Hermon.

“We wanted to get all the New England champions we could,’’ said Wadsworth coach Andy McNeil, who is Donald’s father and a co-organizer of the all-star competition. “The kids were pretty enthusiastic about it, and there was no problem raising money for Spaulding.’’

Each wrestler was asked to obtain pledges of at least $100, and combined with an expected gate of 250 to 300 spectators, organizers are aiming to collect $4,000 for Spaulding.

The lineup is particularly impressive considering the idea was hatched in late May. Next March, Colace said, he and McNeil will start their recruiting for the event at the New England tournament medal podium, in hopes of getting an even more star-studded card.

“I think it’s a great story,’’ Colace said. “Donald’s recovery was amazing. It was just his determination and hard work, and I’m sure Spaulding Rehab had a ton to do with that.’’

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Wadsworth, 40 Kenwood Circle, No. 6, off Grove Street in Franklin, or online at www.newenglandallstardual.eventbrite.com; the password for the site is panda.

Rick Seto can be reached by e-mail at rick.seto@ gmail.com.