Wrestling: Howard High's Frazier Proves Fast and Furious

Mike Frazier is finally wrestling at the proper weight class and getting plenty of hands-on coaching.

Now, opponents don't know what hit them when he's done with them, probably because they're often on their backs and off the mat in seconds.

Frazier, a junior who competes at 215 pounds for Howard High, is 17-3 with 12 pins this season. Six of his matches have been over in 41 seconds or less, including one in eight seconds and another in nine.

This comes after going 14-16 last season. The difference?

"Last year I was a heavyweight (285 weight class)," he said. "I was barely making 215. I was probably outweighed by 40 or 50 pounds.

"We have a new program this year and the coaches have really helped me out and worked with me a lot. I stay after a lot at practice and work on moves with them and brush up on everything.”

Howard co-coach Doug Smith, who took over the Lions' program this season along with Tim Murdock, said he's expecting a deep tournament run for Frazier at the end of the season. 

"I'm thinking regionals is guaranteed as long as he stays healthy," said Smith. "If he keeps working hard and gets a few breaks every now and then, I'm thinking states this year. But definitely next year, if not top three in the state."

Smith should know. He regularly tangles with Frazier in practice, as does Murdock. Both coaches wrestled at Wilde Lake.

"We can be more hands on with him because he's heavier, as opposed to the other guys who are a lot smaller, " said Smith.

No one among the three really has the upper hand in the wrestling room, Frazier said. “It’s pretty equal. We all have different styles of wrestling, which is nice,” he said. “When I’m tired, they just keep pushing me to make me a better wrestler.”

Frazier missed Howard’s first four matches because of ankle and rib injuries suffered in the wrestling room. He started his season at the Romp in the Swamp tournament at Perry Hall, finishing third by going 3-1 with falls in 35 seconds and 41 seconds.

This past weekend, Frazier struggled a bit at the Grapple at the Brook tournament at Springbrook, going 3-2 and with a third-period pin to get fifth place.

Before that event he had an amazing showing at the District V Duals on his home mat, easily getting the most pins in the least amount of time, scoring six in 6:58. The next closest wrestler had six in 12:38.

“He's one of those guys who can pump himself up, and that's what you need in this sport,” said Smith, who scored a nine-second pin while at Wilde Lake. “You need to be aggressive, physical.”

Frazier, who started wrestling four years ago, admits he sometimes might be overly aggressive on the mat.

“Yes, I need to calm down” said Frazier, who tries to clear his head of distractions by listening to heavy metal music before matches. “I need to start planning out my matches more. I usually only go in knowing my first few moves and then I just go by instinct.”

Frazier is a defensive lineman for Howard’s football team, and a midfielder on the lacrosse team. But he considers wrestling his main sport.

"This year I'm just trying to get to states."

Next up for Frazier and the Lions (5-8) is a makeup tri-meet with Hammond and Glenelg at 3 p.m. Saturday at Glenelg.

Smith said Frazier needs to improve from the bottom position, and keep thinking about strategy.

“He's not the fastest on the mat, and if we can get him there, he's really going to have a complete game – neutral, top and bottom,” Smith said. 

“Rather than going with the flow, you've got to have a game plan going in. We try to stress that to all of our guys. I pop quiz them before the match. What's your takedown, what's your breakdown, what's your backup?

“He's got it….He's listening to what we're asking him to do, and it seems to be working out.”