At 53, Jim Clark could probably coach Chestnut Ridge another 10 years, guide the Lions to well over 100 more wins and, with 342 career wins now, he could finish in the top five in the state in career wins.

On Saturday afternoon at the Giant Center, he was coaching Gary Pfahler to a stunning 4-3 upset of Burrell’s returning state champion, Jordan Shields, in the 140-pound finals of the PIAA Class AA Championships.

While it was the first state title for any Chestnut Ridge athlete or team in any sport since it became a school in 1954-55 and the first for Bedford County since 1983, there could be more state titles if he continued to coach.

But he’s decided to retire after 31 years as Ridge’s coach. If there’s anybody who deserved to go out coaching a state champion, it’s Clark, the former Penn State wrestler who has instilled his knowledge, energy, time and countless hours into the program.