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Fritton and Reynolds Try-Out for Amazing Race
While most people were still in their beds or just awakening on a Saturday morning, lower school physical education teacher, Austin Reynolds, and lower and middle school drama teacher, Michael Fritton, were already sitting in lawn chairs waiting in line in Mandarin to see if they were the next pair chosen to participate in the Amazing Race television show. The auditions were held here in Jacksonville at a local furniture retailer, Encore Décor, on Saturday, February 6.
Reynolds arrived first and Fritton spoke to him on the phone on his way to the try-outs asking if there was a line. It was 7:20 a.m. and Reynolds explained that there were a lot of people in their cars waiting but that no line had begun. Fritton promptly replied, “The race starts now, get in line.” The try-outs were not due to begin until 10 a.m. After a few brief words with another pair of contestant hopefuls that insisted they were owed their number one spot since they had been there since 4 a.m., Fritton and Reynolds conceded and were second in line as they waited patiently for their big chance.
“We are polar opposites,” said Fritton. “He thinks I need more testosterone and he needs to be softened up,” he laughed. “He thinks Vera Bradley works in the cafeteria!” Then Fritton explained with sincerity that they make a good team because he brings the arts to Reynolds and Reynolds brings sports to him. “The common thread is that we both love children and we want to represent Bolles in a positive way,” he said. The duo refers to themselves as “Team Bolles” and went to the auditions in Bolles t-shirts. Among many of the questions asked in the audition, one was, “if you saw a competing team drop their airline tickets what would you do?” Fritton replied, I would take them and hide them and Reynolds would thoughtfully give them back.
The difference between these two is humorous and one can only imagine how entertaining it would be if they did make the show. When Fritton was asked when they would find out if they made it he replied, “We were so excited about the audition and their applause and positive comments that we forgot to ask!” Casting directors for the show told them they were more prepared than most and requested their audition tape. (A link to this audition tape is below) Fritton explained the audition as quick. “You only have two minutes to sell yourself and we went back and forth like a ping pong match. It was unrehearsed and unscripted and just natural,” he explained.
The Bolles Communications team will keep you informed of any updates!