By Sam Bernardi | Posted February 12, 2026
Wrestling never stops for senior Gavin Fong. He has risen through the ranks that the late-great John Moyle started, beginning in the youth program, and a decade later, he is a team captain for the Cougars and closing in on the illustrious 100 career wins mark.
Cougar Team Caption Gavin Fong
“Coming into high school, I never really thought about the 100 wins or placing at states,” Fong said. “But, this year, I definitely have set high goals for myself.”
Fong avoids “what-ifs” with an incessant work ethic. He diets, does extra workouts, competes for two club programs (Rhino Wrestling in Hillsborough and Duro Wrestling in Raritan), with six practices per week in the summer a common occurrence, and has helped bring fellow Montgomery wrestlers into the club world.
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“Once you keep doing it and you’re consistent, it just starts to build… and you really see the progress,” Fong said.
Cougars coach Jamar Thigpen says Fong is “constantly moving, constantly figuring out how he can get better, and get his teammates better.”
Gavin Fong at the 5th Annual Mike Dessino Invitational
Earlier this year, Fong won the Mike Dessino Tournament at 126 pounds. Since the tournament began in 2021, Montgomery has always had at least one champion.
Now, his top priority is reaching the State Tournament, and perhaps standing on the podium. Yet, while the results are vital, they are not the be-all end-all for Fong. Instead, he emphasized how much wrestling has given him and how it will change him for the better once his career concludes.
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“I’m not really worried about the winning or losing; I’m just trying to get to my attacks and score points,” Fong said. “In life, a lot of things won’t go your way. But, what’s going to shape you is how you come back from that… It’s not about that loss; it’s how you can get back from that.”
During a match against Verona, Fong emphasized to his teammates the importance of doing the basics rather than focusing on the fancy techniques; the basics would pave the way for everything else.
Fong expressed interest in wrestling at a service academy such as Navy or West Point. Nothing is solidified yet, but wherever he lands, his grit will see him through.
