ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood High School runner Jenna Snell signed to compete for the Fort Hays State University cross-country and track and field teams.
Snell is a four-time state qualifier. She was a Class 3A state champion as a freshman, and has been part of a Lady Eagles team that has finished 2A runners-up each of the last three seasons.
“I wanted to compete at the next level because I had such a great experience in high school,” said Snell, who made her decision to go to Fort Hays State before the Christmas break but made it official on National Signing Day.
“I wanted to see if I could be successful in college.”
In the 2012 state competition, Snell finished with a time of 15:51.90, taking ninth place overall.
“She is probably the most decorated runner in our high school’s history,” Ellinwood head cross-country and track and field coach Lyles Lashley said. “She is definitely a great runner.
“She was a state champ her freshman year. She finished second as a sophomore, fifth as a junior and ninth as a senior.”
Snell, who plans on majoring in nursing, said she had a few choices in colleges.
“It was a hard choice,” Snell said. “I really liked the atmosphere (at Fort Hays State). I like the team, the coaches, the program. I thought that the smaller class sizes would be good.
“It was an all-around good fit. It also had the major I wanted.”
Snell will be competing for the cross-country team, as well as the indoor and outdoor track and field teams.
For Ellinwood’s track and field team, Snell competes in the mile and two-mile events.
Snell’s personal-best time in the mile is five minutes, 40 seconds. Her top time in the two-mile race is 11:46.
As a cross-country runner, Snell’s top finish on a 4K course is 15:21.