Langley’s Deschanel Donovan wins W.R. Bennett Award in Maple Ridge
MAPLE RIDGE, British Columbia – Langley’s Deschanel Donovan was presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence on Sunday, July 21 at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games.
The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games who demonstrates athletic achievement and leadership. The award was named in honour of former premier Bill Bennett, who created the BC Games in 1978. Nominations are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations and the winner receives a $2,500 bursary.
A softball athlete for Zone 3-Fraser Valley, Donovan was recognized moments after she helped lead her team to a gold medal, pitching in the final against Zone 5-Vancouver Coastal. The presentation was made by the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food and MLA for Abbotsford-Mission.
“I feel really good – it’s a really cool award to win and I’m very proud of myself for everything I’ve done,” Donovan told Global BC on Sunday. “I’m proud of all of [my team], we’ve all put in the work through the season and it’s come to this.”
Donovan has been a standout in her sport since she began playing a five years old. She currently plays for Fusion 2008 and the AI Bandits travel team located in the USA. Last year, she led her team to a national championship and was named Top Pitcher of the tournament. She was also a candidate for lowest ERA for the Alliance Top Tournament and named on the IDT All-Star Team. She pitches over 60 miles per hour with a current top speed of 67 miles per hour.
Her coach at the BC Games, Katelyn Ross, singles her out as a leader on the team who encourages positivity and makes time for her teammates. In her free time, Deschanel volunteers as a coach for a youth team and teaches pitching lessons.
“She works her butt off, so she’s putting in work at practices probably four to five days a week and then outside of practices as well,” said Ross. “I think the thing about her is that she has goals and ambitions and she’s really working towards those.”
