Collegiate’s Wesley Fair

By Conor Nicholl

Wesley Fair’s quick rise atop the Class of 2022 recruiting rankings started in part because of the coronavirus pandemic. In ’19, Fair delivered a team-high 14 catches for 271 yards and four scores as a freshman. Nate Voegeli served as the starting quarterback.

The next season, in a COVID-influenced school year, two Collegiate quarterbacks, including Voegeli, decided not to play. Fair enjoyed receiver. However, Wichita Collegiate coach Troy Black wanted Fair, the team’s best athlete, to have the ball in his hands each play. Late in preseason, Black said the change “clicked.”

Fair led Collegiate to a four-win improvement, 10-2 mark and 3A state semifinals. He accounted for 2,715 yards of total offense and 34 touchdowns. He had similar numbers in ’21 for an 8-2 squad thin at running back. Fair is the state’s No. 6 recruit and has committed to Kansas State an athlete/defensive back. He recorded 37 tackles, two interceptions as a junior at free safety. Black has continually seen the hard-working Fair laid back, easy going, one who blends in with his classmates. Fair has echoed similar sentiment.

“My favorite thing about my team and teammates is how we can joke around yet still get things done,” Fair said. That has changed this fall.

“Sometimes it’s hard for underclassmen to be vocal even at the quarterback spot, and we have asked him to be that vocal leader for us, and he is doing a really good job,” Black said. After two weeks, the Spartans are 2-0 and ranked second in 3A. Fair has accounted for five touchdowns. Since Fair became quarterback, the Spartans are 20-4, but 0-3 versus rival Andale, the three-time defending 3A champions.

Collegiate has not had a sub-.500 season since 1991, though hasn’t made a final since ’15, or won a title in 12 years. Collegiate captured 3A state baseball with many of the same football players, including center Brett Black and end Hayden

Malaise. Coach Black said the group has continually had “high expectations.”

“A sense of urgency has overcome him, so he has been a lot more aggressive, and more vocal with the young guys,” Black said. “Because we need those young guys to help.”

Collegiate will face Andale at home in Week 6, one of possibly two meetings between the longtime rivals. A win against Andale, which has not lost a game since ’18, is likely needed for the Spartans to reach a coveted state title – and the best football finish for the seniors.

“This whole group has become a lot better leaders than what we had anticipated, and I think a lot of it has to do with him and