Eastern Washington University Athletics

McDonald earned All-America honors in gymnastics in 1970 when she led Eastern to the women's collegiate Class II national title. She was fifth in the floor exercise and sixth in the balance beam at that meet to begin an honor-filled career. She competed in three more national tournaments, helping Eastern to finishes of fifth in 1971 and seventh in 1972. As a sophomore, she placed 13th nationally in the all-around competition after winning the all-around in invitational meets during the year at Eastern and the University of Washington. She came three-hundredths of a point away from the score needed to qualify for the 1972 Olympic Trials. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern, and in 1974 started the gymnastics program at Central Valley High School. She coached athletes and teams to the State Tournament before coaching at Spokane Community College from 1978-83. Her SCC teams won three national junior college titles, including several individual champions. She was selected as national coach of the year three times.