Carson City girl wins national championship in kayaking

Sage Donnelly, 10, returned to Carson City recently as the national freestyle kayak champion, beating out the 15-year-old world champion.

It was the highlight of a nine-week competition in which she also won 12 medals in the Junior Olympics - 10 gold and two silver.

While there, she was presented the Rivermeisterene Award for earning the most points and the Spirit Award for evoking Olympic spirit.

Donnelly posted a blog during the competition to keep fans updated.

"Freestyle was lots of fun," she wrote. "I did C1 and K1 and I was able to get the ride I had planned. There was lots of kids trying it for their first time and they looked great!"

Donnelly's mother, Stephanie Viselli, and father, Matt Donnelly, travel with her for about three months, hitting all the competitions.

Last year was Donnelly's first trip to the Junior Olympics, where she won five gold medals and the Rivermeisterene Award.

"She's definitely moving forward, to say the least," Viselli said.

The most impressive accomplishment, Viselli said, was the national championship in freestyle kayak.

"That was the wowzer," she said.

Donnelly will not be eligible to compete in the world championships until she's 15.

And she plans to continue competing.

"Overall, the Jr. Olympics was lots of fun!" she wrote on her blog. "I loved seeing old friends, making new ones and learning new skills. I can't wait to compete next year!"

In addition to competing, she has also created a nonprofit organization, making and selling earrings. At first, proceeds benefited American Whitewater, a nonprofit set up to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources.

She raised about $750 for that organization, Viselli said.

She is now raising money for Jason Craig, the junior freestyle men's champion who shattered his pelvis in a waterfall accident earlier this year.

So far, she's raised about $1,500 for his recovery efforts.

To find out more, visit Sage Donnelly's fan page on Facebook.