Victor Marks-Jenkins looked unfazed ahead of his regional title bout.
The Perry Hall senior paced the corners of Edgewood’s mats — white team T-shirt on, black earbuds in — betraying no nerves despite what was at stake: a fourth regional title and a chance to tie Maryland’s all-time public school wins record.
He delivered — to little surprise of those in attendance at Saturday’s Maryland Public Secondary Schools Association 4A/3A North Regional. Marks-Jenkins defeated Catonsville’s Josh Agen-Davis by decision, 7-0, tying the record at 195 career victories — and walked off the mat the same way he walked on: composed.
“I want my legacy to be a showing of greatness,” he said. “I just love winning. I love being the best.”
Marks-Jenkins is now 195-1 in his high school career, cementing his place among the greatest Maryland public school wrestlers. His 195th victory tied Joey Thomas of South Carroll for the state record, set in 2017. He’ll have an opportunity to break the record at the state tournament next week, where he also chases a third state championship
“He’s such a great inspiration in practice,” 113-pound teammate Gavin Young said. “He pushes the team and keeps us going and lets us be the best we can be.”
Young was among three other Gators who won regional titles Saturday. The sophomore transferred from Calvert Hall in the past year seeking a fresh environment.
Young built early momentum in his title match, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first period over Meade’s Savion Markham-Simmons. That aggression didn’t waver even after a brief scare. Young landed awkwardly on his neck in the second period and was down momentarily before continuing with an 8-3 decision.
Justin Kavanagh (157 pounds) captured his regional title with a technical fall over Towson’s Korben Suskin, a rematch of last week’s Baltimore County final with the same result.
Senior Jordan Young also claimed a win as the No. 6 seed in the 175-pound bracket, winning a 11-6 decision over Parkville sophomore Breon Johnson. Young took second at regionals last year, but his 2025-26 season was derailed by illness, and there was uncertainty about whether he would return at all.
Limited mat time showed at moments — particularly in the third period, when conditioning became a factor — but Young pushed through both the semifinal and final matches.
Young defeated Towson’s No. 3 seed Ethan Jones and North County’s No. 2 seed Elyjah Allen to reach the final, while Johnson advanced by upsetting Crofton’s top-seeded LaDarian Roulhac.
“I was a little bit nervous. Seeing the six seed put a lot of pressure on me,” Young said. “I thought that those guys were better than me and truthfully I thought I might fail. But I just went out there and got down wrestling”
The other notable upset came at 165 pounds, as Towson senior Ryan Toung captured the title as the No. 5 seed with a win over Crofton’s No. 6 seed Cayden Doss.
Toung said he entered eying a potential semifinal matchup against top-seeded Clayton Hosier from Perry Hall, who medically forfeited their bout, sending Toung to the final.
Catonsville gives another strong showing ahead of next week’s states
After Agen-Davis fell in the 190-pound title bout, the Comets produced two repeat regional champions: 126-pound Drew Eveleth and 120-pound Owen Shelley. Both top seeds in their brackets, Eveleth earned a 14-2 major decision over Meade’s Jalani Lewin, while Shelley secured a technical fall over Crofton’s Nyle Borges.
“They’re really getting after it, working hard,” coach George Dunn said. “They help each other out. Both two-time regional champions now, there’s a little competition between them.”
The title carried added meaning for Eveleth, who comes from a wrestling family. His brother, Toby, was a regional champion in 2024 and now wrestles at Gettysburg, while their father was also a regional champion at Chesapeake-AA. Eveleth said that he still regularly trains with his father.
“It’s an honor to keep the tradition going,” he said. “Knowing how many people are in your corner, how many people want you to win — it helps.”
Shelley seized control of his final in the second period, finding rhythm on his feet and beginning to stretch the margin. After securing multiple turns and building separation on the scoreboard, the 120-pounder stayed disciplined down the stretch.
“In the third, I just had to stick it out, ride him and stay tight to my offense,” he said
Dundalk’s history, first-time winner
The Owls crowned champions with two vastly different journeys.
On the girls side, Emily Cabo (125 pounds) captured her third regional title, becoming the first Dundalk girls wrestler to accomplish the feat. On the boys side, senior Dylan Holt (285) claimed his first regional crown just one week after earning his first county title — a breakthrough that comes after nearly quitting the sport as a freshman.
“Emily is arguably the most aggressive girl I’ve ever had. She’s super aggressive, and she just finds a way to get through those crazy moments and those scrambles,” coach Jamy Pizzini said. “Dylan is an absolute product of hard work. He is the hardest working kid in the room, which is very rare for a man his size.”
Cabo defeated Meade’s Lilliana Brown by pin, using a first-period takedown to set the tone. The senior, who entered Saturday with two byes, also pinned North County’s Fabiola Ayala in the semifinals to reach the final.
“My defense was working,” Cabo said. “I was just trying my hardest out there and doing anything it took to win on the mat.”
Holt won by 11-1 major decision over Dulaney senior Brendan Taylor to win his regional title.
As a freshman, he joined the team but quickly walked away, overwhelmed by the grind of the sport. He was a self-described “chubby” 300-pound teenager still figuring things out. He returned his sophomore year under a new coaching staff and found something different — structure, accountability and eventually passion.
Now 6 feet 3 and weighing in at 284 pounds, Holt has reshaped both his body and his mindset.
He credited early mornings, late nights, weight lifting and a disciplined diet for his growth, saying the biggest change came when he stopped focusing on his opponent and started focusing on his own effort and conditioning.
“I’ve got fire in my belly,” Holt said. “After not winning anything for three years straight and now winning two crowns back-to-back, undefeated — it means everything.”
Results
Boys
110: Rafatullah Houssaini, Meade; 113: Gavin Young, Perry Hall; 120: Owen Shelley, Catonsville; 126: Drew Eveleth, Catonsville; 132: Christian Wright, Milford Mill; 138: Dominick Rossi, Crofton; 144: Derrel Davis, Poly; 150: Josh Gray, Franklin; 157: Justin Kavanagh, Perry Hall; 165: Ryan Toung, Towson; 175: Jordan Young, Perry Hall; 190: Victor Marks-Jenkins, Perry Hall; 215: Olasubomi Atanlogun, New Town; 285: Dylan Holt, Dundalk.
Girls
100: Pashince Gregory, Glen Burnie; 105: Ruby Russell, Crofton; 110: Nevaeh Diaz, Meade; 115: Autumn Austin, Meade; 120: Carmela Harris, North County; 125: Emily Cabo, Dundalk; 130: Triniti Green, Edgewood; 135: Breyon Thompson, Crofton; 140: Esther Malaney, Poly; 145: Khamarra Knickel, North County; 155: Reese Butler, North County; 170: Alexis Ogundipe, Glen Burnie; 190: Katie Huyssoon, Crofton; 235: Maddie Woodard, Dulaney.
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