In 1980, her second year at Southern California's Glendale Community College, Donna finished second in the javelin at the national junior college championships. She then headed to the University of Arizona as one of the U of A's most heralded female athletic recruits. In her first year as a Wildcat she demonstrated her wealth of potential by placing ninth at the AIAW national meet, the collegiate championship meet for women at that time. With considerable room for technique improvement and strength gain, Donna's future, and also that of U of A women's track and field, appeared extremely bright indeed. A national championship was not an unrealistic goal.