In terms of pre-competition hype, the difference between football and track is enormous. That’s just fine with Owen Fritz.

“The one thing I like about (track and field) that’s different than football is game day is a lot more relaxed,” said Fritz, a Mountlake Terrace High School senior who played football for the Hawks and currently is a thrower on the school’s track team. “It’s a lot more self-dependent, doing things off by yourself. It’s a lot less stressful than a football game.”

An all-league first team lineman on the gridiron, Fritz competes in two track and field events: discus and shot put. He prefers throwing the discus because it incorporates skills he honed in football.

“(The discus event is) a lot more technique-oriented,” Fritz said, “and that’s one of my strengths in athletics. It’s a lot of footwork, and in football I think that’s probably my best attribute.”

Learn more about Fritz, who loves listening to rap music and demolishing the competition in first-person shooter video games.

Coach’s corner

Fritz is a quiet leader whose consistent effort and dedication motivate those around him, Mountlake Terrace track coach Russ Vincent said: “Owen is well-respected by all his teammates. They know he will always be there to work and perform well. They know they can count on him.”

An easy sell

Beginning his third season of throwing, Fritz said a few years ago coach Vincent strongly encouraged Fritz to join the Hawks track team to get stronger for his main sport, football. “It wasn’t much of a sell,” said Fritz, chuckling. “It was more like, ‘If you want to play football next year, you’ll be coming out for track and field.'”

Chasing a record

Fritz boosted his personal record in the discus by more than 30 feet last season, finishing the year with a top throw of 133 feet, 9 inches. This spring, he wants to break the school record of 148-11, set by John McMillan in 1974. “It’s looking like a pretty attainable goal,” said Fritz.

Honored to be an All-Star

Let’s switch gears from track to football: After being named an Associated Press Class 3A All-State honorable mention offensive lineman in December, Fritz was invited to play in the 2011 3A/4A East-West All-Star Football Game, which will be played July 1 in Cheney. “It means the whole world,” Fritz said. “I don’t think my sophomore year anyone thought I was (eventually) going to be picked for the East-West Game.”

Mountlake Terrace linebacker Mitch Haldane, one of Fritz’s close friends, was also selected for the East-West Game.

Where will he go?

Fritz hopes to play college football. He has made several recruiting visits, including trips to Whitworth University and Linfield College, but is undecided, pending financial aid possibilities.

Do what you love

Fritz’s favorite school subjects are math and science. He currently takes AP chemistry and AP calculus. But for a career he’s considering a sports-related profession: Athletic training. “Rather than pick something that pays high, I think I’d rather do something that I enjoy,” he said.

An always-reliable rapper

Fritz likes listening to rap music. His favorite rapper is Nas, a legendary MC from New York City. “The thing I like about him the best is all his songs are all good,” Fritz said. “He doesn’t have (just) two radio songs that are always played. Every song he makes is always good.”

Mike Cane, Herald Writer