McDonald is the daughter of William, a high school teacher and basketball and baseball coach, and Pamela, a mortgage underwriter. She has two brothers, Kyle (26), a college student, and Jeffrey (22), a college student on scholarship for baseball, and a younger sister, Courtney (18), a mortgage office assistant.
Nickname: Ames
Hometown: Allen, TX
Name of College: Collin County Community Colleg
Degree/Major: Athletic training
Year you began gymnastics: 1987
Favorite Event: Tumbling
How did you get involved in gymnastics: My parents put me in it when I was 3 years old because I wouldn't stop jumping all over the house, especially my mom's furniture.
Favorite thing about gymnastics: Being a member of the national team and being able to travel to different places. I also like meeting new people and learning new skills.
What are your goals for gymnastics?: To be a member of the 2009 World Championships Team. I also would like to increase the difficulty on my tumbling passes and the confidence I have in myself and my ability as a power tumbler.
Names of parents/guardians/spouse: William McDonald - High school teacher and basketball/baseball coach
Pamela McDonald - Mortgage Underwriter
Names of sibling(s): Kyle McDonald, college student
Jeffrey McDonald (22), college student on scholarship for baseball
Courtney McDonald (18), mortgage office assis
Favorite school subject: Sports medicine
Hobbies or favorite activities: Volleyball, scrapbooking and hanging out with friends
Favorite music: Anything but rap!
Favorite book(s): Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite TV show(s): One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, ER, Law & Order: SVU, Project Runway, Will & Grace, Gilmore Girls, Friends and N3mbers
Favorite Food: Ice cream, or my mom's sloppy joes or broccoli cheese soup
Other sports involvement: I just help my dad with baseball and basketball
- 2009
Final Selection Event, Las Vegas, Nev. -
5th-TU
- 2009
Visa Championships, Dallas, Texas -
3rd-TU
- 2009
U.S. Elite Challenge, Ft. Smith, Ark. -
3rd-TU
- 2009
Winter Classic, Birmingham, Ala. -
4th-TU
- 2008
Visa Championships, Houston, Texas -
4th-TU
- 2008
U.S. Elite Challenge, Mobile, Ala. -
5th-TU
- 2008
U.S. Elite Challenge, Mobile, Ala. -
5th-TU
- 2008
Winter Classic, Tulsa, Okla. -
4th-TU
- 2007
Stars and Stripes Cup, Birmingham, Ala. -
3rd-TU
- 2007
National Championships, Memphis, Tenn. -
4th-TU
- 2007
National Championships, Memphis, Tenn. -
4th-TU
- 2007
U.S. Elite Challenge, Colorado Springs, Colo. -
3rd-TU
- 2007
Winter Classic, Lubbock, Texas -
5th-TU
- 2006
U.S. Championships, Schaumburg, Ill. -
2nd-TU
- 2009
World Championships, St. Petersburg, Russia -
2nd-TU (Team)
- 2008
Pan American Championships, Buenos Airies, Argentina -
4th-TU
- 2007
World Championships, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada -
1st-TU (Team), alternate
- 2007
World Cup, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada -
- 2005
World Championships, Eindhoven, Netherlands -
2nd-TU (Team)