Wright City track Coach Fred Ross liked what he saw at Friday’s Orchard Farm Invitational.

The Wildcat girls team finished third overall with 95 points, and Ross is starting to see which athletes have legitimate chances to advance to the Class 3 state meet next month in Jefferson City.

Senior Jynna Fritz and junior Erin Tomschin grabbed the top two spots in the 800-meter at Orchard Farm with times of 2 minutes, 36 seconds and 2:40.5, respectively.

Fritz’s time was good enough to win the race at Orchard Farm, but it was five seconds off her season-best of 2:31.15, which is the best time among Class 3, District 3 runners.

Tomschin’s best time of 2:40.74 is currently fifth in the district, and the top four runners advance to sectionals.

“Jynna certainly has a chance to advance in the 800,” Ross said. “And Erin is right there, too.”

Sophomore Danielle Dyer finished second in the 200 after finishing in 26.8 seconds, her lowest time of the season and fourth-best time among district runners.

“Danielle has a good chance to advance in the 200,” Ross said. “But other than that, it’s going to be tough.”

Wright City’s district is led by McCluer South-Berkely, O’Fallon Christian, Trinity and Orchard Farm.

“It’s loaded,” Ross said. “The city schools are fast, so it will be tough in the sprints.”

Wright City’s success in relays continued Friday at Orchard Farm, as the girls 400 team of Dyer, Kia Campbell, Janee Hill and Emajahnai Hunter won the race in 53.69 seconds.

The time would place them seventh in the district, and Ross said they are hoping to shave off a few seconds before the district meet.

The biggest point of emphasis in practice has been handoffs.

“It’s the key,” Ross said. “It really is. That makes up for a little speed. If you can catch your partner in stride and neither of you has to slow down and you get that nice blind handoff, that’s the difference.”

While the girls relay teams hope to catch up with their district competition, senior Kyle Christopher continues to impress in the discus.

Christopher won the event at Orchard Farm with a final toss of 159 feet, 10 inches, nearly 25 feet further than any other competitor.

It was also 28 feet further than any thrower in the district this season, and the second-best distance among Wright City’s sectional opponents.

Palmyra’s Daniel Lehenbauer currently has the season-high mark of 168-5, but Ross believes McDonald can surpass the number.

“He’s throwing 170 in practice, so I think he can get there in a meet if he gets a good throw,” Ross said. “Right now, we’re just trying to tune things up with him.”

Christopher helped the Wildcats pick up 65 points to finish fifth at Orchard Farm.

He transitioned to the shot put shortly after, finishing second with a throw of 43-9.

Sophomore Trevon Holmes finished third in the high jump after clearing 5-8.

“It’s the first time he’s done track, so we think he can continue to improve,” Ross said. “We think he can clear six feet, and we’re working on the technique. He gets up high enough but he doesn’t get the arch or the leg kick yet.”

Junior Jacob Mueller finished second in the 800 in 2:05.50, behind Lutheran St. Charles’ Cody Williams.

“Those  two will be battling in districts and sectionals,” Ross said. “Jake’s lowest time of the year is 2:03, so he’s starting to get those times down. I think he can knock a few more seconds off, so that’s what he’s working on.”

Mueller also helped lead the first-place-winning 3,200 relay team, along with Nick Mueller, Stephen Norwood and Brice Reash.

The group won  the race in 8:53.50.

“That group, along with Jake in the 800 and Kyle in the discus, are probably our best chances to make it to state on the boys side,” Ross said.