Wright City’s Jynna Fritz signed to run for the Missouri Baptist University cross country program in the fall.

“I’ve really been wanting to continue my running career since I began in middle school,” Fritz said.

Fritz said she fell in love with Missouri Baptist and the cross country program during her two visits to the campus.

“Coach (Katie) Cline is just really awesome,” she said. “She is really down to earth, and she came to a bunch of my meets this season. We talk all the time.”

In November, Fritz led the Wright City cross country team to the Class 2 state meet.

She finished first on the team — and 54th in the state — with a time of 22 minutes, 8.10 seconds.

“Jynna has set high standards for herself and the team, which has given her the ability to to be recruited and run at the college level,” Wright City Head Coach Sue Wright said. “She has been a great role model with her dedication and drive, and now she will see her work pay off.”

Also a member of the Wright City track team, Fritz hopes to improve upon her 400-meter and 1-mile times, and hopefully break the school records before graduating.

She is currently less than one second off the school record of 1:02.90 in the 400.

“Coach Cline has given me tips on how to improve my times,” Fritz said. “And I definitely want to improve my distance and splits going forward.”

Fritz is also a member of the Wright City 4X800 relay team, and thinks the quartet can qualify for the state meet this year after qualifying for sectionals last spring.

“I just can’t believe it’s my last year,” she said.

SIGNING DAY — Jynna Fritz signs to run at Missouri Baptist University. Pictured, front row from left, Missouri Baptist Head Coach Katie Cline and Jynna Fritz. Second row from left, Wright City Head Coach Sue Wright and Wright City Athletic Director David Evans.