Donovan Named MIC Weekly Coaches Choice Award Winner
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State fifth-year senior Kaitlyn Donovan has been a leader for the Redbirds throughout her career, but especially in her final season at ISU. For her efforts last week and throughout the year, Donovan was honored on Wednesday as the Midwest Independent Conference Coaches Choice of the Week.
Illinois State head coach Bob Conkling submitted Donovan for the weekly MIC honor. Donovan, who has started her master's degree, is working a full-time job as a nurse and training as a collegiate gymnast. She leaves from working an overnight shift to come straight to workouts at 7 a.m. in the morning and has to have everything planned out with prepared meals while she is driving from the hospital to workouts.
The South Lyon, Michigan, native is also one of the first student-athletes to volunteer for anything that fits into her extremely busy schedule and often has to be reminded that its OK to take a break, according to Conkling. Donovan has been a member of the Illinois State SAAC for the past four years, serving as President last year, and continues to stay involved around campus and in the community.
This season, Donovan has competed in every meet on floor and in seven meets on vault for ISU. Her best performance of the year came at the Next Level Podium Meet, where she scored season highs on vault (9.725) and floor (9.825). Last weekend in Minneapolis, she scored a 9.775 against No. 15 Minnesota on the floor.
Donovan will be honored alongside fellow seniors Julia Heiner, Alana Laster, Jaye Mack, Mya Robinson and Sara Wabi on Saturday night at CEFCU Arena when the Redbirds host Southeast Missouri State for a dual meet at 5 p.m. on Senior Night. The meet will be the final one of the regular season, before ISU travels to the MIC Championships hosted by Centenary on Friday, March 21.
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