Wheaton College (MA)

Ali McDonough joined the Wheaton cross country and track & field staff in August of 2024. 

McDonough was a standout at Bridgewater State University, where she starred for five academic years, including a graduate year granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The four-time NCAA Championship qualifier earned United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Second Team All-America honors with a 10-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2024 in addition to being named All-Region in the long jump. McDonough excelled during the indoor season as well, posting the fastest 60-meter hurdle time in the East Region, while ranking 16th in the nation to go with a 60-meter dash mark that placed her second in the region and a long jump leap to put her fourth. 

During her impressive career at BSU, McDonough earned Division III All-New England honors seven times as an individual and won 11 individual Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference titles and was a part of three relay crowns at the conference championship meet. She was recognized as either the track or field Athlete of the Week for the MASCAC a staggering 19 times. 

The Massachusetts native still holds Bridgewater State records for the long jump for both the indoor and outdoor seasons as well as the 60-meter dash. 

She graduated BSU with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, before earning a Masters degree in Special Education.