Two down… one to go. That’s what Danielle Donovan’s checklist of personal goals shows.

In fact, her team goals checklist reads exactly the same way.

The 13-year-old from Presque Isle heads a group of young runners making a bid to win the TAC Junior Olympic National Cross Country Championship in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 12.

Donovan has already led her team, the Aroostook-Cumberland Express, to state and New England championships in the girls, ages 13-14 division and also finished first in both meets individually.

Now she and the rest of her ages 13-14 team are taking aim at the big prize – a national title.

The Aroostook-Cumberland Express (ACE) is a cross country-track and field club for boys and girls ages 11-18. Rick Cortis is the organizer of ACE.

Cortis and Katherine Smith have shared the coaching duties on the club the last two years.

Smith has been a running coach here and in Oregon and was Donovan’s coach at Cunningham Middle School in Presque Isle. She has been Donovan’s personal coach the last three years.

“Danielle’s the strongest runner I’ve ever worked with… ever,” said Smith. “She’s very dedicated and is very tough – both physically and mentally.”

Donovan won the Region I (New England) Championship at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Sunday with a time of 15 minutes, 40 seconds over the 2 1/2-mile course. She won her second straight state championship in Readfield with a time of 16 minutes, 53 seconds running virtually the same distance.

“I really didn’t expect to do so well this year. It’s been a big surprise,” said Donovan.

Now she’s hoping to finish in the top 25 at nationals.

Donovan’s teammates on the ACE team are Robin Bates of Winslow, Mattie Lord of Bucksport, Morgen Buehner of Lubec, Venice Bayrd from Milbridge, Emelia Chabot of Linneus, Earlene Neureuther of Houlton, and Erica Dorsey of Presque Isle.

They will all be gunning for a top-three finish at nationals.

“It’s a team with a lot of talent and they’ve all worked hard to get this far,” Smith said.

Donovan’s little brother Derrick finished eighth in the regional and will also be travelling to Mobile. Derrick, who usually accompanies his sister on early morning runs, competes in the 11-12 boys division.

The ACE 15-16 girls team will also be attending the nationals after winning state and New England titles. Top runner Jodi Lake of Livermore Falls has leads the team.

The team also includes Eleanore Anderson of Houlton; Calais’ Jean Delmonaco; Westbrook’s Meg Randall, Jessica Plourde, and Marnie Randall; Falmouth’s Emily Holdtman; and Beth Pendexter from Scarborough.