Owen Shelley Upsets & Earns OW

Catonsville sophomore Owen Shelley (120 pounds) escaped early in the third period of an upset, 1-0, victory over Sparrow's Point's fourth-ranked Class 2A-1A state champion junior Wyatt Rossi in their title match of the 2026 Wolf Pack Mayhem Tournament on Saturday at Severn Run High.

The 13th-ranked Shelley earned tournament Outstanding Wrestlers Honors, improving his record on the year to 25-0 with 13 pins and three technical falls.

"After getting out in the third period, I was careful not to lock up with Wyatt too much," said Shelley, a returning Baltimore County tournament runner-up who was first in the Class 4A-3A North Regionals last year. "He was able to get an under hook with about 20 seconds left, but I fought it off. This victory is really a big win for me and definitely one of the best that I've ever had in my career.”

Harford Tech (253 points) was the tournament champion, as the 35th-ranked Cobras overcame runner-up Sparrows Point (218) and third-place Catonsville (186).

Armed with a 95-9 career mark that includes this year’s record of 18-3, Rossi can become the third Pointers' wrestler to repeat as a Class 2A-1A state champion after having placed third as a freshman. Rossi is also after his third straight titles in both the Baltimore County and Class 2A-1A North Regional Tournaments, having finished with a record of 39-1 last year.

"I had done a little scouting of him before the match," Shelley said. "I realized he was really good on his feet, and that he liked to use upper body throws."

Shelley used pins in 2:16 and 4:36 to earn the right to face Rossi, who advanced on a 70-second pin and a 19-10 major decision.

"There was a lot of hand-fighting in the first period before I got in on a couple of low singles. There were also a couple of scrambles and stalemates," Shelley said. "Even though we were still scoreless going into the second period, I was feeling pretty good. I felt like my fakes were working. I was pretty confident that I was wearing him down."

Shelley began the second period by deferring the referee's choice to Rossi, whom he said chose the bottom position but couldn't score any points.

"I was staying behind his arms, securing my holds and working on my arm chops and cross-wrist rides," Shelley said. "He was able to get up and stand on his feet a couple of times, but I managed to mat-return him on every occasion."

Shelley chose the bottom referee's position to start the third period and was able to secure the decisive escape immediately.

"I got out in about the first 15 or 20 seconds, keeping my distance and not tying up with him too much," Shelley said. "I got in on another low single at one point, but I couldn't finish it, so I just focused on being smart."

Rossi nearly scored what might have otherwise been the decisive takedown in the waiting moments of the match only to be countered and jammed by Shelley.

"Wyatt got in on a high-crotch with about 15 seconds left in the match, but I was able to sprawl and pick an ankle before he could finish," Shelley said. "I was really excited when the buzzer ended the match, but I have to just stay focused on getting back into the room and getting better."

Shelley added the Wolf Pack Mayhem title to the one he earned at the Davison Classic Tournament at Randallstown High, where he won a title match, 4-2 decision over 14th-ranked sophomore Dominic Espositio of Long Reach.

As a freshman, Esposito became only the Lightning's third-ever Howard County champion in advance of winning a Class 4A-3A South Region crown.

Shelley lost his state quarterfinal bout, 7-5, to Seneca Valley senior Isaiah Brewster, the eventual state runner-up following an overtime loss to Linganore senior Josh Arthur. Shelley was eliminated from states following a 2-1 loss to Esposito, who has a 2-1 lead in their series against one another.

"It feels great, but I have the rest of my season ahead of me,” Shelley said. “I feel like there are a lot of tough guys in my weight class, but I believe that if I wrestle my match, I am capable of beating every one of them."