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Lexi Donarski selected as the 2020 female recipient of the Pat Richter Award for most outstanding three-sport athlete

06/25/2020, 11:15am CDT
By Norbert Durst

Aquinas' Lexi Donarski has been selected as the 2019-20 female recipient of the Pat Richter Award from WisSports.net as the Triple Threat Athlete of the Year.

The Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is an honor given on WisSports.net to the top senior boys and girls three-sport athletes in the state. At the end of the school year, those awarded with the weekly honor are eligible for the Pat Richter Award, which will go out to the top boys and girls three-sport athlete of the season.

Hugh V. "Pat" Richter is one of Wisconsin's most storied student-athletes in state history. He was a three-sport athlete at Madison East High School, competing in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to fame at the University of Wisconsin, earning nine varsity letters in three sports and would later become the Athletic Director at Wisconsin.

Past winners of the award include Tara Stauffacher of Beaver Dam (2018-19), Caitlin Link of Madison Edgewood (2017-18), Lexi Smith of Northland Pines (2016-17), Grace Mueller of Verona (2015-16), Megan Gustafson of South Shore (2014-15), Kennedy Blahnik of Algoma (2013-14), Jenna Orr of Rice Lake (2012-13), Kailee Kamps of Belmont (2011-12), Kendall Wienkes of Highland (2010-11), and Andie Varsho of Marshfield (2009-10). 


Donarski at the 2020 WIAA State Tournament

Donarski competed in volleyball, basketball and track & field at Aquinas. She was an 11-time varsity letter-winner, and if track & field wasn't canceled due to COVID-19, she would have earned a varsity letter in all three sports in each of her four years. 

In basketball, Lexi led Aquinas to a 107-3 record in her four years, including two state titles and they were set to play in a fourth consecutive state title game with a chance at a three-peat before COVID-19 forced the WIAA cancel the remaining games of the state tournament. 

Donarski is a highly skilled and dynamic point guard that can take over a game with her ability to shoot the three, get to the hoop and find the open player. She also plays at a high level on the defensive end of the floor, using her length and athleticism to get steals and deflections. 

Donarski was named 2020 Miss Basketball by the WBCA, was a four-time WBCA Division 4 all-state selection, a two-time first-team AP all-state performer, and earned AP Player of the Year honors as a senior.  

The 5-foot-10 point guard averaged 24.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 5.5 steals per game as a senior. 

Donarski finished her career with 2,106 points, 561 assists and 388 steals. 

She will continue her basketball career at Iowa State University. Lexi committed to play for coach Bill Fennelly and the Cyclones prior to her freshman year. 


Donarski at the 2019 WIAA State Tournament

In volleyball, Donarski was a two-time first-team WVCA all-state performer and helped the Blugolds to their first two state tournament appearances in program history. As a senior, Lexi led them to a Division 3 state runner-up finish. 


Donarski at the 2019 WIAA State Meet

Donarski was also a standout in track & field. She was a WIAA state qualifier in 100m, 200m, 4x100,  4x200 and high jump over her three years (COVID-19 wiped out her senior year). As a junior, Lexi state qualifier in 100 (5th place), 200m (3rd place), long jump (3rd place), and state champion in 4x200 relay. She also helped the Blugolds capture the WIAA Division 3 state title as a junior.  

What did she say was the best part of playing three sports? 

"I love the cross-training that three sports provide for me. Different aspects of each sport help develop me as an athlete. Jumping in volleyball, lateral movement in basketball, and speed in track help me to excel in all three sports," Donarski told WSN in her initial Triple Threat Athlete of the Week profile. 

Donarski also excels in the classroom with a 3.929 GPA. She plans to major in business at Iowa State. 

To view our initial profile of Lexi as part of our Triple Threat Athlete of the Week series, please click here.

Tag(s): Triple Threat AOTW  News Archive  GBB News  Girls Track News  News  Norbert Durst