Local runner selected to compete in Australia
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ARLEE — Donovan McDonald always had a natural running ability. But the tall, lanky 15-year-old didn’t know just how good he was until this year, when he decided to join the cross country team.
McDonald had a late start to the season but quickly proved himself a running force. He only ran in two meets before he competed at State.
Head coach Katea Dreiling said she saw McDonald’s potential immediately.
“Donovan did very well in the meets he competed in,” she said. “He was our No. 1 runner once he joined the team.”
In McDonald’s first race in Hamilton, he finished first for junior varsity with a time of 18.10 and earned a spot on the varsity squad for the next meet. At the Loyola Runner’s Edge meet, he finished the course in 17.44. This course was also the location for the State meet, the third race of McDonald’s season. He cut 21 seconds off of his time to finish 11th in a time of 17.23 and earn All State honors.
“I knew I could do well,” McDonald said, adding that he joined the team to get into better shape. He also competes in football, wrestling and track.
“I knew he was a good runner. That’s why I pestered him about joining cross country,” Dreiling said. “He really proved himself when he finished All-State."
As a result of his accomplishments, McDonald has been chosen to compete in the Down Under International Cross Country Meet in Australia. He will run in two 5K races against 4,000 other student athlete runners. He will leave June 24, and the total expense for the trip is $4,000.
McDonald’s mother, June Rae McDonald, could not be more proud of her son.
“He is a good kid,” June Rae said. “He is a natural runner. We hope he can use this talent to go to college.”
June Rae said this trip would be a good learning experience for her son. This will be the first time he will travel out of the country. The family is already planning fundraising events including raffles and Indian taco sales to help pay for the trip, since Donovan must have half the cost raised by March 15.
“We are going to do everything to get him there,” June Rae said.
In addition to fundraising, McDonald plans to train for the event with help from local runner Jennifer Kaplan, who volunteered to help him train.
“She recently qualified to run in the Boston Marathon, so she will be a great benefit to his training,” Dreiling added. “Because she is a local runner, she knows of some really great trails in the area.”
McDonald said he had never heard of the Down Under International Cross Country Meet when he received the letter, but is excited to compete.
“(Being selected) feels awesome,” he said. “I just like to run.”
