Kevin Cummings’ journey in wrestling began at Catholic Memorial High School, where he competed under Hall of Fame coach Keith Durham. Though he believed his competitive days ended with his 1989 graduation, the sport’s profound influence—its discipline and demand for both mental and physical toughness—never left him. He continued his education at Salem State University, earning a degree in physical education.

In November 1996, Kevin began teaching physical education in the Arlington Public Schools. That same year, Athletic Director Carl DeMatteo approached him with the idea of starting a wrestling program at Arlington High School. The challenge was steep—no wrestling mat, no wrestlers, and no funding—but Kevin accepted the opportunity with nothing to lose and everything to build.

The program’s first season in 1996–97 consisted of eight wrestlers, a borrowed Watertown High School wrestling mat, and three dual meets, finishing with a 1-2 record. Nearly three decades later, during the 2024–25 season, Arlington finished 23–3 with 70 wrestlers, securing back-to-back Division 1 Central/Metro Sectional Championships and a seventh consecutive Middlesex League Liberty Division title—remaining undefeated in league competition for seven straight years. Under Kevin’s leadership, the program has compiled an all-time record of 420-186-4, achieved entirely without a youth feeder program.

Throughout his tenure, Arlington wrestling has earned 12 league championships across the Greater Boston League, Dual County League, and Middlesex League Liberty Division, along with 3 sectional titles and 2 sectional runner-up finishes. Kevin has coached countless sectional, state, and All-State placewinners and champions, as well as many New England placers. His accolades include two Boston Globe All-Scholastic Coach of the Year awards, four Sectional Coach of the Year honors, and multiple Middlesex League Coach of the Year recognitions. 

In 2015, Arlington finished as the All-State Tournament runner-up and captured the Division 2 Dual Meet State Championship, defeating a tough Natick team in the finals. That same year, Kevin received the prestigious Public School Coach of the Year award from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was inducted into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and has served for more than a decade on its executive board as a sectional representative.

Now in his 30th year with the Arlington Public Schools, Kevin continues to teach physical education at Ottoson Middle School. Alongside his wrestling responsibilities, he has coached boys’ freshman soccer for 27 seasons. Across 57 total seasons at Arlington High School, he has recorded only five losing seasons—a testament to his consistency, vision, and unwavering dedication to student-athletes.

Kevin offers his heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported him on this journey. He is especially thankful for the love and sacrifices of his wife of 26 years, Sue, and their sons, Max and Kyle, whose encouragement has sustained him throughout his career. He also extends deep appreciation to longtime assistant coaches Mike Covel and Sam Kafrissen, whose 25 years of loyalty, expertise, and shared purpose have been instrumental in building the Arlington wrestling tradition. Both have been recognized as Divisional Assistant Coaches of the Year. He further acknowledges alumni assistant coach Andrew Ellis, a 2015 All-State Champion, and volunteer alumni assistant coaches Sean Fagan, Nick Rose, Matt Willey, Anthony Spero, and Andrew Konz, as well as the many alumni who continue to return each season to give back to the program that shaped them.