FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Zach Frazier has been key component of Fairmont Senior’s recent run of success that has seen them advance to three consecutive state championship games, winning the title last December. In 49 games wearing the Polar Bear blue and white, Frazier has been a part of 44 wins and just 5 losses. This year, West is 8-0 and is the top-ranked team in Class AA.
At 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, Frazier is more often than not, the biggest man in any room that he walks into. His head coach Nick Bartic says Frazier commands respect and sets team standards by his work ethic, rather than just his size. “He does a good job of making sure that guys are doing what they are supposed to be doing,” Bartic said.
Frazier will have a new challenge at the next level. When he makes his way to Morgantown to join the Mountaineers next season, Frazier will slide from offensive guard to center. And he is already working on his new responsibilities in the middle of the offensive line.
“I want to learn every position I can to be the best I can,” Frazier said. “I have been snapping extra just in case our team needs it. I just can’t wait.”
Frazier is one of West Virginia’s elite athletes across all sports. In addition to his dominance on the gridiron, Frazier is also a three-time state champion wrestler in the heavyweight division. His verbal commitment to attend WVU came with little fanfare. It happened with an announcement on his twitter site on June 20th. June 20th of course being a significant day in the mountain state.
“I definitely wanted to do it before the season so when I got to my senior season I didn’t have to worry about making a decision,” Frazier said. “I thought it was a good time to do it on West Virginia Day too.”
When Frazier officially joins the Mountaineers, he will be the fifth member of the Polar Bear pipeline in Morgantown. Jake Abbott, Darius and Dante Stills and Rhett Heston are already on the WVU roster. Frazier admits, that quartet did their own recruiting to get Frazier to follow them up I-79.
“They didn’t pressure me or anything but when I would see them in passing they would give me a nudge,” Frazier said.
Despite a 3-4 start to Neal Brown’s first season, Frazier is confident that the Mountaineer program is on the right track. And he is excited to be a part of Brown’s first full recruiting class. For now, Frazier has a singular goal as his high school career comes to a close, win six more games and a second consecutive state title.
“I don’t want to leave here with anything else but a state championship,” Frazier said.