One thing is clear when speaking to Victor Marks-Jenkins: The Perry Hall senior loves to win. “Dominate” is another word he likes to use.

It’s an accurate description of his high school career — and he closed it the same way.

Marks-Jenkins defeated Decatur’s Peter Snyder by major decision, 12-1, in the 4A/3A 190-pound final, capturing his third Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association title. In the first round on Thursday, he earned his 196th career victory with a win over Oakland Mills’ Yammen Qassem Elkhateeb by fall, setting a Maryland state record.

Add it all up: 199 victories, the most in Maryland history, and just one loss. He’s a three-time state champion, four-time regional champion and four-time Baltimore County champion. It’s the kind of resume that makes a case for the greatest high school wrestler in Maryland history — or at least Baltimore County.

“I knew I was going to win,” Marks-Jenkins said. “Had that feeling coming in. I felt great.”

Even through a scoreless first period, Marks-Jenkins set the tone with his pace and pressure. He followed with two takedowns, a near-fall and an escape in the second period to break the match open.

“What did I see from him? Total domination,” coach Steve Amenta said. “I wasn’t expecting it to go out that far in his favor.”

The third period became a matter of running out the clock. As the score mounted, tension rose during a brief shove near the edge of the mat. Snyder exchanged words with officials while Marks-Jenkins quietly waited for the whistle to resume wrestling.

Asked where that calm — and competitive edge — comes from, Marks-Jenkins didn’t hesitate.

“This comes from a life history of just trying to be the best in what I am,” he said.

The lone blemish on Marks-Jenkins’ resume came as a loss in the state semifinals during his freshman year — the only season he didn’t win a title.

He understands it might be the one “flaw” against his place among Maryland’s best. Still, the three-time champion has no doubts about how he views his career.

“I’m still the best wrestler in Maryland and have the record,” he said after breaking the mark set by South Carroll’s Joey Thomas in 2017.

Amenta described Marks-Jenkins as a leader, a relentless worker and the type of champion every program wants to build around. The senior is slated to wrestle at George Mason after announcing his commitment in August.

If anything, Marks-Jenkins seems poised to carry the same success that defined his career at Perry Hall.

“My goals are just the same as they are now,” he said. “Win all of them that I can, take every spot that I can, set the record for them too.”

Randallstown’s Bishop gets her first state title

Daegan Bishop had never placed at the state tournament in four years — let alone win a title.

So the night before Saturday’s 190-pound girls’ final, the Randallstown senior sat down with her coaches to study film of Estrella Edwards and prepare for one last match.

The message was simple.

“Do your thing. You know you got this. Keep your hips heavy and get around her.”

Randallstown's Daegan Bishop celebrates her win over Richard Montgomery's Estrella Edwards in the girls' 190-pound final. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Bishop followed through, controlling the match in an 8-1 major decision victory over the Richard Montgomery junior.

When the final horn sounded, Bishop paraded around the mat before dropping to her knees and slamming it with both hands. She said she nearly cried afterward — a moment four seasons in the making.

“You don’t even understand,” she said. “This means everything to me.”

Bishop’s first state title adds to an already decorated career with the Rams. A three-time regional champion, she finally captured the one piece missing from her resume.

Looking back at how far she has come as a wrestler, Bishop joked: “I’ve improved in everything.”

“If you saw me as a freshman, I would’ve been crying in the corner after that match,” she said.

She credited the Rams’ coaching staff for building her strength and conditioning — and for constantly making her run, Bishop said.

Coach Earnest Davison said that the moment was especially meaningful to him as a coach, as he watched Bishop qualify for the state tournament all four years before finally reaching the top of the podium.

“She’s been working really hard for this,” Davison said. “This was icing on the cake for her.”

Eastern Tech’s Ullmann, Sparrows Point’s Rossi fall in the finals

Both Chase Ullmann and Wyatt Rossi entered their finals as the No. 2 seed but came up short.

For Ullmann, the loss in the 2A/1A 144-pound final marked the end of his career. He fell to Huntingtown’s Landen Vercoe by a 15-0 technical fall in the second period.

“I just feel like I tried to prepare myself as best I can, and maybe it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to,” Ullmann said. “I can leave here knowing that I did my best.”

Eastern Tech's Chase Ullmann, left, and Huntingtown's Landen Vercoe compete in the 2A/1A 144-pound final. (Brian Krista/Staff)

The senior finishes his high school career as a two-time regional and Baltimore County champion. He has received several college offers, including from McDaniel and Kutztown, though it remains unclear whether he will wrestle at the next level.

Coach Rob Sullivan had high praise for the departing senior.

“Chase is probably the best wrestler who’s ever wrestled for Eastern Tech,” Sullivan said, choking up and wiping away a tear. “I’ll stand by that. He may not have a state title, but pound-for-pound, he’s probably the best wrestler to ever come through here.”

Rossi, a junior, will have the opportunity to bounce back next year after falling to Calvert’s Ethan Valdisera in the 2A/1A 113-pound title bout. Valdisera controlled the match and earned a 13-3 major decision.

“I just went out there, tried my shots, and just didn’t end up finishing them — he was quick,” Rossi said. “Left it all on the mat. Not disappointed at all. Ready to come back next year.”

Calvert's Ethan Valdisera tries to pin Sparrows Point's Wyatt Rossi in the 2A/1A 113-pound final. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Rossi entered this year’s tournament as the defending champion after a surprising run to the 106-pound title last season. Seeded ninth, he battled through the bracket to win the championship.

But this season came with higher expectations.

Rossi was looking to become just the third wrestler from Sparrows Point to repeat as a state champion. Instead, the junior fell to Valdisera, who had also pinned Rossi during a regular-season meeting before the state tournament. Rossi had previously placed third at states in 2024 as a freshman.

“Winning’s not a guarantee — even if you’re a high seed,” Rossi said. “Anyone can upset anyone. It’s nothing to take lightly. I’m ready to wrestle again next season.”

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