—Submitted photo cambrie mcbride was named the annual recipient of the Carol Donnelly Award, which recognizes St. Edmond’s top female senior athlete. McBride is pictured here with her parents, Michael McBride and Allison McBride.

Cambrie McBride can easily recall when she first envisioned being named the Carol Donnelly winner as the top female senior student-athlete at St. Edmond.

“I remember seeing one of my best friends, Audrey Kolacia, make the front page of The Messenger after winning the Donnelly award,” McBride said. “I was immediately inspired as I had put a lot of time and effort into St. Edmond athletics at that point.”

McBride was named the 2019-20 recipient of the award, joining Kolacia as winners.

It was far from an easy road through her career in volleyball, basketball, track and softball, but McBride believes it made her a better person in the end.

“One thing I wish I would have told myself as a freshman is to take everything with a grain of salt,” she said. “Use criticism and failure as momentum towards success.

“Being a Gael athlete meant putting on that jersey and giving your all. Win or lose, it is important to maintain a positive attitude. Good character means everything as there will always be that one person that looks up to you.”

McBride had her best athletic season as a senior. On the volleyball court, she had 81 kills with 120 digs, 21 total blocks and 17 aces, finishing her career with 148 kills and 258 digs.

In basketball, she led St. Edmond in assists and steals, adding 149 points with 14 made three-pointers. McBride stole 19 bases and scored 19 runs on the softball diamond.

“I would like to thank my coaches for pushing me to the best of my ability,” McBride said. “Along with my coaches, my parents (Michael and Allison McBride) also played a huge part in my athletic career. They did not miss one game or scrimmage.

“Their support went a long way. Simply seeing their faces in the stands during the toughest games reminded me to play for them.”

Along with her efforts in sports, McBride was also involved in student council and choir at St. Edmond.

Named for Carol Donnelly, the first girls physical education instructor at St. Edmond, the award has been handed out every year since 1997.

The other nominees for the honor were Jocy Timmerman, Isabel Woodhouse, Milena Naughton and Maggie Conrad.

“I am humbled to have received this award and represent St. Edmond,” McBride said.

In the fall, McBride will be attending the University of Iowa.