Nettleton track star named two-time Gatorade Arkansas girls track and field player of the year

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Donna Douglas has been named the two time Gatorade Arkansas girls track & field player of the year. “Sometimes I just sit back and think man, this is crazy.” Douglas said. Not only has she set the 5-a, meet of champions and Arkansas overall records in the discus and shot put, but now she is the back to back Gatorade Arkansas girls track and field player of the year.

“I was actually pretty happy. It was really surprising and I was excited to accept the award the last two years. A lot of people don’t really accomplish that in the time of their high school career, and I accomplished it in like less than three years.”

In less than three years she has become one of the states best, but track and field was not always her passion.

“I found out about track and field by friends, they were asking me to do track and field and I told them no. I was like that’s not me. And then they asked me my tenth grade year, I was like you know I could find a different sport to keep me in shape for basketball, and I went out there, it was that.”

And that is launching the discus 175 feet in the blazer nestle invitations, a mark that ranks third nationally among high school competitors. And her best shot put throw this year was 48 feet, which ranks top 15 nationally.

“Shot put was may favorite for my tenth grade year because automatically I was good at it. But going into my junior year, discus was becoming my favorite because I love to work at things, I love to struggle at things and see myself overcome issues.”

Donna is headed to the University of Tennessee in the fall to join their track and field team, but for the rest of the summer, she’s going to enjoy her time.

“I’m spending time with my family, getting all my stuff together, making list for my dorm, just getting ready for college. I’m happy, after my first year I was like yeah this is more sport, I said this you know this is going to get me to where I wanted to go, I had made goals to be an Olympian, and you know just be outstanding and to be able turn up for my town Jonesboro, and just make them proud.

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