Longtime Watertown High School wrestling coach Kevin Russo has recorded his 500th career win, the latest accolade in a coaching career that spans more than three decades.

Russo earned the win on Saturday with a victory over Lincoln-Sudbury.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching some great student-athletes,” Russo said. “I have also had help from very supportive assistant coaches, parents, and administrators. I have had the support of my family and most of all, I have learned that having the responsibility of coaching and teaching high school students is extremely important. I do not take the role of ‘coach’ lightly and it holds me to a high standard.” 

Russo came to Watertown in 1999 after coaching stops in Belmont and Lexington. He launched the Raiders wrestling program from scratch and now leads a team that has experienced significant statewide success. In the last two years alone, Russo has coached three wrestlers to state appearances, including state champion Tessa Master in 2024.

“Kevin Russo exemplifies everything you would want in a high school wrestling coach. He is the ultimate role model, competitor, and teacher of the sport,” said Ryan Murphy, Watertown Athletic Director. “Watertown is extremely fortunate to have him as a coach and mentor to our student-athletes.”

In 2019, Russo was inducted into the Massachusetts chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to wrestling. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the Watertown High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Waltham High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a wrestler.