Leopard Look: Riley Donovan

Mathias Alling, Staff Writer • February 9, 2021

Riley Donovan is the throwing coach for track and one of the football coaches at the high school. Donovan threw for the University of North Texas while in college.

Riley Donovan is the new throwing coach for the track team, and he teaches social sciences. He has been coaching for 5 years.

At a glance:

Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump

Whataburger or Chick-Fil-A: Whataburger all the way

Favorite TV series: “Friday Night Lights” and “House of Cards”

Looking deeper:

The Red Ledger: Where did you compete in track?

Riley Donovan: I threw shot put, discus, hammer throw, weight throw at the University of North Texas.

TRL: What aspects of track do you enjoy? Why?

RD: I enjoy the self competition within track. You have to compete against yourself every meet, and within the throwing aspect, there is a big mental game to compete with. You have to be as strong as an offensive or defensive lineman but have great footwork/balance like a skilled player.

TRL: How did you first become interested in track?

RD: My best friend from high school asked me to come throw.

TRL: What made you want to coach track?

RD: My high school and college coaches. They were paramount in developing me as a high school athlete and throughout my collegiate career, not only developing my athletic ability but my habits, mindset,, and future drive to want to coach.

TRL: What is one of your most memorable experiences throwing in track?

RD: My senior year, I was able to record top three marks in school history for the weight throw and hammer throw.

TRL: Do you have any prior coaching experience?

RD: [I taught at] Porter High School one year, Wylie one year and Richardson High School two years.

TRL: What made you come and coach in the district?

RD: A coach on staff, Marcus Trice, called me about the opportunity.

TRL: How long have you wanted to coach?

RD: [Since] my sophomore year of college, after switching majors from business to kinesiology.

TRL: How has your experience in the district been so far?

RD: Absolutely great. I love the district and the coaching staffs I am fortunate enough to be a part of. Go Leopards.

About the Contributors

Mathias Alling, LJP Staff

Junior Mathias Alling is entering his third year on The Red Ledger as a section editor. He can often be found riding his bike at six in the morning, at school or learning more about cycling. If it has two wheels, handlebars and pedals, Alling is probably going to love it. He currently has 7,000 miles recorded in since he started riding and is currently going broke trying to buy more and more cycling computers and gear. Alling also enjoys cooking, watching TV shows and movies and spending time with his family. He is looking forward to the new school year and is ready to start writing and editing.

Olivia Lauter, Section Editor

Heading into her fourth and final year in TRL, senior Olivia Lauter could not be more thrilled to soak up every last minute of shooting sports, events and portraits for her favorite publication. Lauter has spent every day of her high school career with a camera around her neck, and you won’t catch her without it until graduation day. As well as being the photo editor for TRL, Lauter is a varsity cheerleader and involved in PALS and NHS. When she’s not on the sidelines with her camera or cheering on the Leopards, Lauter is with her friends, who she adores more than life itself. You will probably hear “last time, best time” and how “bittersweet” senior year is continually from Lauter this year, but she is just excited to spend one more year doing what she loves alongside the people she loves on TRL.