ROCK HILL, S.C. (WSPA) – A Winthrop graduate from Pacolet just returned from an international pole vault competition with a gold medal, and she’s aiming even higher.
21-year-old Alina Mcdonald has several national records under her belt and is a 3-time Junior Olympic champion, with a goal of one day beating the women’s world record in pole vaulting.
“The world record is 16’7 and 3 quarters and I’m at 15’3, but being able to raise my hand grip up, I should be able to do it,” she says. “I grip a lot lower than a lot of the women I compete against.”
In July, she competed with Team USA at the NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean Championships) for women under 23 years old and won 1st place in women’s pole vaulting.
McDonald is working with Brian Riggs as her coach at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill SC as she completes her Masters degree at Winthrop University.
