Donovan to swim at Towson

Some journalists make their own news. Megen Donovan is one of them.

She is the editor-in-chief of Archbishop Wood's school newspaper, and she also has created a big story for it to cover.

Last week, Donovan signed a letter of intent with Towson University for a partial swim scholarship. The Tigers are a Division I program outside of Baltimore and a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference.

La Salle University and Albright College were also finalists for Donovan's services.

“I really liked the coach and the team at Towson,” said Donovan, a senior from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Southampton. “I made an unofficial visit there in June and the campus is beautiful.”

Wood coach Charlie Stilwell calls Donovan, “The best swimmer in the (Philadelphia) Catholic League and she's a good all-around swimmer.”

Donovan was the 500 freestyle champion at the PCL meet last March and also won the 100 breaststroke. She also was part of two Vikings' relay teams that came in second at the league championships.

She was fifth in the 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 500 freestyle at the National Catholic championships.

Although the recruiting process can be stressful for some, Donovan got through it with no problem.

“For the most part it was easy,” she said. “I just evaluated the programs, saw the pros and cons of each school, but I knew after a while I was pretty much going to Towson.”

The Tigers are currently 4-3 on the season. Donovan will not be the only local on the team as sophomore diver Jennie Katch is from North Penn and an old rival of hers in the 500 freestyle, Ashley Gidzinski of Lansdale Catholic, who is a freshman, is also at Towson.

Donovan's best time in the 500 freestyle is a 5:13, which would be the fifth-best time at Towson this year and her best of 1:09.82 in the 100 breaststroke would be the third-fastest with the Tigers.

“It's a really fast conference, I'm pretty excited about being in it,” she said. “I'm definitely going to practice harder. I think I can go a lot faster.”

To that effect, Donovan is now practicing with her NRG club team in the morning and the afternoons. Previously, because she did not have a car, she only practiced with them in the afternoon. Donovan does not practice with Wood, but competes in the meets.

As for the signing making the school paper, it will have to wait a bit.

“We haven't gotten the first issue out yet, because we were having computer problems,” she said, “but now I think things are good.”

Stuart London can be reached at (215) 345-3070 or slondon@phillyburbs.com.

November 20, 2006 7:47 AM