Jonathan Chang is the first wrestling state champion in the history of Clarksburg High School.
After earning a third place finish two state tournaments ago and a silver medal last year, the senior finally struck gold.
Chang is this week’s Montgomery County High School Athlete of the Week.
Each week throughout the school year, the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame is partnering with Montgomery Community Media to honor an Athlete of the Week from the county’s more than 40 public and private high schools.
Congrats to Jonathan Chang- Clarksburg's first Wrestler to win a State Title! pic.twitter.com/dv3Y0j7aoa
— Clarksburg Athletics (@CHSCoyotes) March 3, 2024
“He just got a little hungrier, you know, losing in the finals last year,” head coach Rob Pinsky told MCM. “He went on a mission to win every match this year.”
A picture was taken of a dejected Chang on the mat after his lone loss of the season with his opponent and opposing fans celebrating in the background. Chang set the image as the screensaver on his phone to be a constant reminder of his determination.
Chang’s 46-1 record propelled Clarksburg to a tie for second place in the Class 4A West rankings. The Coyotes lost to Winston Churchill in the round of sixteen.
“Anytime kids are not working hard, I can just say, ‘Look at Jonathan.’ That’s how the good guys practice,” Pinsky said. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever coached. And just having him as a role model to the other kids is probably something that I’ll miss the most.”
Featured image of Chang via Clarksburg Athletics on X.
