Remembering Jim Clark

   In the sports world, it’s a small group of athletes and coaches who can say they went out on top.

   Chestnut Ridge coaching icon Jim Clark was one member of that club.

   Tonight, the local wrestling community is mourning the loss of Clark, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

   Clark put together one of the finest coaching careers Bedford County has seen in any sport, as he guided his Lions’ teams to a dual meet record of 342-158-3 over 31 years. 

   A large number of his wrestlers enjoyed individual success as well, with Clark in the head chair for 56 district champions, six regional champs, and nine state medalists.

   But perhaps Clark’s shining moment came in his final season in 2008, when the late Gary Pfahler captured the school’s first state wrestling championship in the 140-pound weight class. 

   Sitting matside for the Bedford Gazette that afternoon, I can still recall the emotional celebratory reactions of Clark and his longtime assistant coach, Scott McGill, after Pfahler held off a late takedown attempt by Burrell’s Jordan Shields when the final whistle sounded. 

   And when Clark had his arm around Pfahler walking away from the mat, both with big smiles, it was like they were on Cloud Nine, and rightly so. 

   It was the county’s first state wrestling title in 25 years. And it’s my opinion that the Clark/Pfahler combination for that elusive gold medal knocked down the door for what has transpired since on the big stage, as this area has captured four individual state championships and multiple team state medals in the last 13 years.

   Clark retired after that championship match for Pfahler, and he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame that spring. I went to that event in State College and in chatting with him, he was still in awe of being able to help win a state title for one of his own in what he knew was going to be his last head coaching assignment. 

   When writing about his retirement, he spoke of the time factor in going over lineups and putting his teams in the best position to win. His coaching resume speaks to that kind of dedication and why the 342 dual meet wins remain at the top of the county and district record book.

   Clark is also a member of the Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2009.

   My condolences go out to Clark’s family and the Chestnut Ridge program.