Unlike most college juniors who get a letter or two from home or friends and may make their own web page, junior Kevin Donohue, a member of the No. 1 Penn State men's gymnastics team, has recently started to receive fan mail.

"I do this sport for myself, but it's weird because now other people are starting to take notice," he said. "I'm just a college student. I'm really nobody, but it makes me feel good about myself."

In addition, a new web site has been created to highlight his gymnastics accomplishments. Richard Abril, a freshman at Sam Houston State in Texas, recently created this page with the some contributions from Donohue.

"I thought a web site for Kevin would make it easier for fans of his to learn more about him and his gymnastics as well alleviate the fan following and interest in NCAA men's gymnastics," Abril said. "It is nice that Kevin takes the time to interact with his growing fan support because fans contribute substantially to one's success."

All of this attention, plus being named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for three consecutive weeks earlier in the season, has been an awkward, but motivating experience.

"When someone else appreciates your gymnastics, it's just like, 'wow'. I'm humbled by it all," he said. "There's no better feeling. It makes me want to keep going because if they're noticing then judges and coaches are noticing too."

This season Donohue was the No. 1 all-around gymnast for five weeks and is currently No. 3. He is also ranked No. 2 on the floor exercise, No. 3 on parallel bars, No. 4 on high bar, No. 17 on pommel horse and No. 20 on vault.

Kevin contributes a great deal of his success to the Penn State coaching staff: head coach Randy Jepson and assistant coaches Slava Boiko, Ron Roeder, and undergraduate assistant Josh Malecki.

"Everyone contributes their own little unique thing to an athlete. It's nice to have everyone's different opinion," Donohue said. "They've been great. They've made me the gymnast that I am and that I want to be. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Family is another important factor in Kevin's life and gymnastics career. He is the son of Frank and Jeanne Donohue and also has a sister Kim, 25, and a twin brother, Ryan. Because his father works overseas building power plants, he does not get to see him often, but his father does get the opportunity to travel back to the states once in a while to see Kevin compete. This year his father, who is currently in Tunisia, Africa, had the chance to see him at the Illinois meet and the Winter Cup in February.

"It's great when he comes in. We go out to dinner and get to catch up on everything," Kevin said. "I've come to realize how important family is. We have a really good time when we all get together because we are so happy to see each other."

Being twin brothers, Kevin and Ryan have grown to be very competitive in everything from academics to athletics.

"Everything we've done was not just to do best, but to beat each other," Ryan, a junior at Duke and a track team member, said. "We've both done better because of it. If we weren't twins, we might not be as good because we practice and do everything so much harder to beat each other."

"I'm very proud of what he has done. It's been a great success story because he's worked so hard and finally it's paying off for him."

The Saddle River, NJ native started to get involved in gymnasts for fun at the age of 10 at Jueregens in Texas because he and Ryan were typical boys with a lot of energy. Their parents wanted to get them involved in as many sports as possible. However, Kevin did not start competing until almost the age of 15 when his family moved to New Jersey.

In the gymnastics world, Kevin sees his club gymnastics coach, John Ribiero, as his role model. Ribiero is impressed at how much Donohue has improved over the years.

"I am just amazed at how well he is doing," Ribiero said. "He wasn't as talented when he was younger, but he's blooming now. I think the reason is because he's kept healthy and he knows his body."

Kevin, a life science major, wants to attend medical school after graduating from Penn State. A demanding gymnastics schedule plus a rigorous academic curriculum has forced Kevin to learn time management skills.

"It's really tough and sometimes I get fed up with it, but it is worth it and I wouldn't want to be doing it any other way," he said.

Besides medical school, Kevin would like to continue gymnastics after his collegiate career at Penn State is over. His biggest goal is to make the national team. Making the Olympic team is not a primary concern of his, so he will see how he does at the national team tryouts and decide if he will go to the Olympic trials.

"I don't pride myself on making the Olympic team, but there is also no harm in trying," the all-arounder said. "I'm healthy and I still enjoy the sport, so I figure why not keep doing it."