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Like her brother before her, Anna Lursen will forever be remember as one of the best overall athletes in St. Edmond history.
Lursen, a four-sport standout for the Gaels, was named the 2026 Carol Donnelly Award winner -- the annual recognition for the top female student-athlete at the school. Aaron Lursen was the 2023 Terry Griffey Award recipient.
"My biggest role model in high school was my brother, Aaron," Lursen said. "He is the definition of hard working. He gets before the sun rises and goes to bed after it sets. He constantly gave and still gives 101 percent.
"He is, and will forever be, my biggest inspiration -- and the reason I got to where I am today."
Lursen ran cross country, played volleyball her senior season, was a four-year basketball starter and earned five medals as a standout at state track.
"Wearing the Green and White the last four years has had its ups and downs," Lursen said. "I had seasons of success, failure, injuries and joy. However, to be able to compete alongside my friends and have the support of most of my coaches has really made me the athlete I am today.
"As a Gael athlete, I hope to be remembered as hard working, determined and honoring a competitive mindset. I may not have been the best at every sport, but every game, competition or meet, I made it my goal to give 101 percent."
Lursen ran in 14 events at state track, with injuries limiting her to two this past spring. She returned to finish 15th in the Class 1A 400-meter dash and 16th on the sprint medley relay.
As a junior, Lursen was the state runner-up in both the 400 and 400 hurdles, while placing eighth in the 800 and ninth on the sprint medley relay. She finished third on the 4×800 as a sophomore, was fourth in the 800 and 10th in both the distance medley and 4×800 relays.
Lursen placed 10th in the 400 as a freshman, running on the 4×400, sprint medley and 4×800 relays.
Lursen had over 100 rebounds and 44 steals in all four seasons on the hardwood, finishing her career with 418 points, 706 rebounds, 311 steals and 222 assists. The Gaels went 17-6 in basketball this past winter, with Lursen attaining all-North Central Conference and all-district recognition.
She ran at the state cross country meet and played volleyball this past season as well.
"What I will miss most about competing at St. Edmond will definitely be my friendships, coaches and memories that only sports could bring me," she said. "It's not the school that builds its athletes -- it's the people who believe in them, push them every day, and don't tear them down.
"I will forever be grateful to Mr. (CJ) Tracy, (Mike) Szalat, (Kevin) Astor, Monica Shelly and everyone else who believed in their athletes. It means the world."
Named for Carol Donnelly -- the first female physical education instructor at St. Edmond -- this award been handed out every year since 1997.
"It's always been my goal to win the Donnelly Award," Lursen said. "Some of the most athletic, inspiring and hardworking people that I looked up to in high school have won this award, so I made it my goal to add my name to the list."
Lursen will head to the University of South Dakota in the fall to compete for the Coyotes in track and field.
DONNELLY AWARD WINNERS
2026 Anna Lursen
2025 Lauren Gibb, Mariah Myers
2024 Michaela Leiting
2023 Anna Kolacia
2022 Gracie Harvey
2021 Aubrey Bemrich
2020 Cambrie McBride
2019 Jacque Oberg
2018 Audrey Kolacia
2017 Megan Flattery
2016 Madi Reel
2015 Anna Yung
2014 Allison Huss
2013 Mary Eide
2012 Theresa Doyle
2011 Hillary Hotz
2010 Allison Nagel
2009 Liz Crimmins
2008 Jade Condon
2007 Rose Crimmins
2006 Dani Huss
2005 Amy Black
2004 Kelsey Clemens
2003 Abby Bianchi
2002 Kristin Shanks
2001 Beth Mann
2000 Julie Drzycimski
1999 Erin Kersten
1998 Jennifer Perkins and Theresa Yetmar
1997 Kelli Dressen