Sparrows Point crowned four individual champions and Perry Hall produced a pair at the Baltimore County co-ed wrestling tournament as the teams finished tied with 157 points and split the crown at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex.
“I don’t know if there has ever been a tie in the county tournament before,” said Sparrows Point coach Mike Whisner, who won his sixth county title since 2007.
Perry Hall coach Doug Yoakum celebrated his school’s first county championship since 2015.
“It’s a big deal for us. We won the regular season, and now this,” Yoakum said.
Three champions — Perry Hall’s Victor Marks-Jenkins (175 pounds), Sparrows Point’s Russell Fary (157 pounds) and Milford Mill’s Amory Hills (285) — continued unbeaten seasons.
Marks-Jenkins improved to 41-0 by pinning Kelvin Alumahah of Owings Mills just seconds before he would have won by technical fall.
“That’s why I was taking so long. I would have [tech fall] him earlier, but I had to pin,” said Marks-Jenkins, who earned his 29th pin of the season.
The defending state champion improved his career record to 138-1. “My goal is just to keep on winning and keep on and keep on growing,” he said.
Yoakum has seen him grow since he was a kid.
“I’ve coached Victor since he was 5, so the sky’s the limit,” Yoakum said. “I think he gets better every time he takes the mat. He’s tough, he’s nationally-ranked, he’s the real deal.”
Defending state champ Fary (34-0) defeated Ty Simpson of Owings Mills, 4-0, in the final.
“That kid was good. That kid was a state finalist. He’s no slouch,” Whisner said. “That kid is right there with Russell. I knew that was going to be a tough match.”
So did Fary.
“I’ve wrestled him growing up and freshman year I wrestled him too. He’s always been a hard opponent, strong, and I respect him a lot,” the defending county champion said.
Hills methodically defeated Keon Stewart of Owings Mills, 4-2, in the title bout.
“I used my overhook and my hip toss, just trying to get my takedowns and I made sure I always got up off the ground every time I go bottom,” said Hills, who acknowledged that it was his toughest match of the year.
It was the second straight county title for Hills (24-0) after finishing second in the regionals and third at state last year.
Joining Marks-Jenkins at the top of the podium for Perry Hall was junior Justin Kavanagh (36-4) who defeated two-time county champion Andy Burton, of Hereford, 5-1, at 144 pounds.
“It was an upset, three seed knocking off the one,” Yoakum said. “It was a tough battle for him. I’m proud of him. Last year he tanked at this one, two and out, so what a redemption.”
Also scoring for Perry Hall were Hegan Chhantyal (fourth, 106), Justin Vu (sixth, 113), Adam Ferrante (fifth, 132), Clayton Hosier (fifth, 150), Jordan Young (fifth, 190) and Aiden McCain (fourth, 285).
Sparrows Point bolted out on the gate in the championship finals, getting wins in the first three weight classes.
“Our lower weights have been our strength all year long, and they came out ready to wrestle today,” Whisner said.
Wyatt Rossi (106, 32-1) pinned Hereford’s Connor Cline in less than a minute and Brandon Wunder (113, 41-2) won a major decision, 12-0, over Catonsville’s Owen Shelley (29-4).
At 120, Sparrows Point freshman Chase Carnahan (24-3) survived a tough battle with Catonsville freshman Drew Eveleth (24-4) in the final, 10-7. The match was tied at 6 late in the second period when Carnahan suffered a head injury, but he bounced back and clinched it with an escape and takedown in the final period.
At 132, Sparrows Point’s Ryan Whisner (36-7) lost in the final to Eastern Tech’s Chase Ullmann (20-1), 17-2.
Others placing top six for the Pointers were Gabe Dorsey (126, fifth) and William Schoo (138, sixth).
“Our goal was to finish strong at the end of the year. We have two weeks to go and we are getting there, trying to meet our goals,” Mike Whisner said.
Meanwhile, Perry Hall hopes to build on a standout season when they went 14-0 and won a regional title before falling in the state semifinals.
“I took over this team right during the COVID season, and when I took over we had three JV kids. So in four years, here we are. This is great,” Yoakum said.
In the girls’ county tournament, Eastern Tech won the team title with 163 points. They were followed by Sparrows Point (136), Kenwood (106.5), Randallstown (95) and Dundalk (81). Four of Eastern Tech’s wrestlers won titles.
Boys team standings (top 10)
T1-Perry Hall (157), Sparrows Point (157), 3-Owings Mills (149), 4-Milford Mill (144), 5-Hereford (128), 6-Franklin (101.5), 7-New Town (88), 8-Catonsville (87), 9-Dundalk (81), T10-Dulaney (72.5), Eastern Tech (72.5).
Boys finals
106: Wyatt Rossi (SP) fall Connor Cline (HER), 0:56; 113: Brandon Wunder (SP) maj. dec. Owen Shelley (CAT), 120: Chase Carnahan (SP) dec. Drew Eveleth (CAT), 10-7; 126: Luca Blythe (KW) fall Joe Silberman (FRA), 5:42; 132: Chase Ullman (ET) tech. fall Ryan Whisner (SP), 17-2; 138: Brayden Polly (ET) fall Mike Morgan (OM), 0:37; 144: Justin Kavanagh (PH) dec. Andy Burton (HER), 5-1; 150: Oluwajuw Omotoso (NT) dec. Hayden Laney (PKV), 10-9; 157: Russell Fary (SP) dec. Ty Simpson (OM), 4-0; 165: Cregg Ngounou (OM) maj. dec. Chase Swiger (LAN), 14-2; 175: Victor Marks-Jenkins (PH) fall Kelvin Alumahah (OM), 3:27; 190: John Davis (NT) tech. fall Chilotam Ezeani (FRA), 27-10; 215: Olusaborn Antalogu (NT) dec. Josh Savoy (OM), 1-0; 285: Amory Hills (MM) dec. Keon Stewart (OM). 4-2.
Girls finals
100: Julia Abel (HER) fall Erin Smith (PKV), 0:54; 105: Olluwadamil Idowu (RAN) fall Brooke Jones (KW), 0:33; 110: Ariana Carnahan (ET) maj. dec. Leian Wright (WT), 13-1; 115: Emily Cabo (DUN) fall Priya Buie (HER), 0:11; 120: Alaina Kopalchick (PH) tech. fall Sky Mikow (CAT), 16-1; 125: Alize Franze (ET) dec.Tinsley Jones (SP), 9-4; 130: Mackenzie Jones (ET) fall Kylie Keefer (SP), 1:30; 135: Gianna Guamera (PAT) fall Kyrah Proctor (ET), 0:42; 140: Grace Paesch (SP) fall Isabella Kight (CAT) 5:39; 145: Kate Roberson (CAT) fall Tatian Ricks (CAR), 3:01; 155: Daegabn Bishop (RAN) fall Kayla Carter (FR), 1:06; 170: Morgan Linton (ET) fall Maddie Mackenzie (TOW), 1:43; 190: Ashari Willis (PAT) fall Arianna King (ET), 2:37; 235: Madison Drumwright (MM) fall Skylar Leopold (SP), 2:51.
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