Steve FRITZ

Steve Fritz was a decathlete who just missed a medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when he finished fourth. Fritz started in college at Hutchinson Junior College on a basketball scholarship, helping them to win the National Junior College title. He later transferred to Kansas State University on a track scholarship, but he also walked onto the basketball team for one year. He was the 1988 JUCO decathlon champion and placed fourth in the deca at the 1990 NCAA Meet. Fritz finished second at the USA Nationals in 1993-94 and also at the 1996 Olympic Trials. He competed at the 1993 World Championships, placing seventh.

Fritz later went into coaching, both as a high school basketball coach and as an assistant track coach at Kansas State. His wife, Suzie Fritz, later became head women’s volleyball coach at Kansas State.

Personal Best: Dec – 8,644 (1996).