Zach Wurtenberger is a Survivor superfan competing in season 42, and he's being compared to Survivor: China winner, Todd Herzog. The 22-year-old student from Florida is looking to prove that he has what it takes to become the next Sole Survivor and win the $1 million grand prize. Check out all of the ways that Zach and Todd are similar.
Fans are eager to learn about the Survivor season 42 stars, and each cast member has shared information about the show alums who inspire their own approaches to the game. The castaways named social players like Cirie Fields, strategists like Yul Kwon, and everyone in between. Zach said he has been a fan of the show since it first aired and connected with Todd's strategy the most, leading other fans to see their similarities.
Back in 2007, Todd played Survivor and was a superfan like Zach. Todd was on the younger side at 22 years old, the same age that Zach is in his season. During Survivor: China, Todd sat out at many challenges since he was on the smaller side, which is something that Zach may be able to relate to. He managed to control the game from behind the scenes, and though he did not dominate in reward and immunity challenges, he was able to play a strategic social game. At the final Tribal Council, Todd was able to apologize, defend his game, and ultimately beat out Courtney Yates and Amanda Kimmel.
In Zach's CBS bio, he said he plans on playing a game similar to Todd's. Zach is hoping that he will be able to fly under the radar since the contestants who excel the most at challenges are often deemed to be threats, and are voted out early. Zach said he admired how Todd was able to control all of the votes on Survivor: China without his fellow castaways realizing it. In order to play a game like Todd, he will need to be able to separate strategy from friendships and be willing to make the moves that take out threats to his game.
Zach also added that he would like to initiate the "meat shield" strategy made popular by Jeremy Collins, where players keep around other big threats so it's easier to stay under the radar. If Zach has a strong social game on Survivor 42, he will want others to take the target off of his back. This may lead to a winning strategy like Jeremy's or Todd's. Fans will have to wait until March to see how well Zach is able to outwit, outplay and outlast the rest of his castmates.
Source: CBS
