by Jamie Harris
If there were ever a script to define grit, legacy and redemption, Donovan Tanouye just authored the final chapter.
On Friday, May 23, Paw Paw’s most decorated athlete in school history walked across the graduation stage, diploma in hand. But just hours later in the state capital Charleston, his focus shifted from caps and gowns to spikes and gold. With the cheers of Paw Paw faithful still echoing from the stands, it was time for Tanouye to chase what had eluded him his entire high school career a state championship.
It was already a historic weekend for the Tanouye family. Just a day earlier, his younger sister Shayla made school history by becoming Paw Paw’ s first-ever state champion, capturing gold and carving her name in bold letters across the town’ s sports lore. On Saturday, Shayla added another state title to the legacy. But if you thought Donovan would be outdone by his younger sibling, think again.
The stage was set. The spotlight was bright. And Donovan Tanouye, a senior with nothing left to prove except to himself was ready.
Tanouye’s opening race on Saturday the 1600 meters didn’t go quite as planned. Despite a gutsy performance, he was edged out by Tyler Consolidated’ s Amos Kimble, clocking a 4:26.56 to Kimble’s 4:19.87. Silver was hard-earned, but it wasn’t the medal he had in mind.
The Final Shot —And the Race of His Life
When the 800 meters came around, Tanouye wasn’t just running for gold. He was running for history for his school, for his family, and for every small-town athlete who ever dared to dream big.
And he delivered. 
In what could only be described as a heroic, beast- mode performance, Tanouye exploded from the gun and never looked back. Fueled by four years of heartbreak, training, and determination, he crossed the finish line in a blistering 1:55.53 a new West Virginia Class A state record in the 800 meters.
Not only did Tanouye capture that elusive state title, he did so in unforgettable fashion, toppling the old record and leaving the field behind. Ritchie County’s Dylan Malolepszy finished second in 1:56.20 but the day belonged to Donovan.
Just like that, the Tanouye siblings became Paw Paw’ s golden standard as the first male and female state champions.
Tanouye’ s 18-point solo performance was enough to propel the Paw Paw boys team into a tie for 12th place out of 24 teams a remarkable achievement for one athlete to accomplish singlehandedly.
In a meet dominated by powerhouses like Doddridge County and Wahama, it was a Pirate from Morgan County who stole the spotlight.
For Donovan, the gold wasn’t just about a race. It was about family. About legacy. About never giving up, no matter how many times the podium was just out of reach.
As the sun set over Laidley Field on Saturday evening, the Tanouye name shined brighter than ever. Donovan Tanouye state champion, record-breaker, and now a Paw Paw icon etched his name in history beside his sister’s.
From the humble hills of Paw Paw to the top of the state podium, Donovan’ s final chapter was nothing short of epic.
