Somers' Donovan has a big day at Loucks Games

SOMERS, N.Y. - Last year, when Haylie Donovan took 9th place at The Loucks Games, she knew it wasn’t enough and decided only winning would do in 2025. 

A year later, in the last 100 meters of 400, she couldn’t miss the obvious. 

“I was like, ‘wow, I’m winning,’” said the senior, and the rest was history. 

“It’s something I wanted for so long, and the fact that I was able to do it was the best feeling in the world,” she said after taking the top spot on May 10 at White Plains High School.

The Tusker didn’t just get there on inspiration, though. 

“This past year I started with a new trainer, because I just really knew I had to step up my training,” Donovan said.

Her stamina obviously elevated, there was more to the training than increasing her wind. Nerves have affected her performance, so this training helped employ a mental shift. 

“Now I get more excited rather than nervous and use excitement as motivation,” said Donovan.

Out of her head as a result, the runner kept the focus on herself and strategy. 

“In the 400, you don’t really see where you are until the last 100. So I just needed to get out fast,” she said. 

Making good at the outset, the winner ended up having more to worry about than vision.  

“I had 20 meters to go, and my legs completely gave out,” said Donovan.

Her heart was another matter. “Something came out of me that let me push even harder,” Donovan clarified. “It was amazing to feel that extra gear switch into place.”

A shiny cherry was next. “You never get a trophy in track,” said the SMU commit.

So on the podium she awaited eagerly. “It makes you feel like you’ve accomplished so much more,” Donovan beamed.

She did pretty good in the run-up too.  Along with Mia Sandolo, Keira Cleary and Julia Duzynski, the Somers Distance Medley Relay team took third on May 8 and set the school record. But the quartet had more than numbers on their minds. “We wanted to qualify for the nationals,” said Donovan.

Mission accomplished, Sandolo kicked with the wave. “We all ran PRs,” said the senior.

In the lead off spot, Sandolo ran with a confidence that the champ inspired. “I knew if I fell back a little, Haylie could help close,” said the Tusker.

Even so, Sandolo knew what had to be done to carry her load. “I still wanted to be toward the front. So it was important to not get boxed in or boxed out at the beginning,” she explained.

In 5th place after logging 1200 meters, Sandolo stopped to admire the view. “Watching Haylie is great,” said Sandolo, “like every time she gets the baton, she explodes.”

In the lead went Somers and in stepped Cleary. “She was able to keep with the pack,” said Sandolo.

That brought Duzynski in to bat cleanup. “Closing the gap,” said Sandolo, “It was nice to see her get that kick at the end.”

From there, the history books opened.  “It’s super cool knowing we have the school record,” she assured.

Of course, the nationals will have to wait for the state meets to pass. “I definitely want to have fun with it,” she said. “Senior year, it’s the end. I want to run some new personal bests.”