Alina McDonald, the reigning NACAC women's pole vault gold medalist and runner-up at the USATF Outdoor Championships representing KMR Athletics along with a certified athletic trainer, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss winning the title Aug. 20 in the Bahamas after securing the 2019 crown by clearing 14-1.25 (4.30m) at the NACAC Under-23 Championships in Queretaro, Mexico. McDonald, 25, reflects on the challenges she experienced at the Grand Bahamas Sports Complex in Freeport, vaulting with 20 mph headwinds to eventually clear 14-9 (4.50m) and earn the victory. She explains how herself and several vaulters lobbied with event organizers to reverse the direction of the pole vault pit to instead create a tailwind, but to no avail. McDonald also revisits how athletes in the men's pole vault competition the following day experienced 25 mph winds, resulting in the winning height of only 17-2.75 (5.25m) and two individuals not recording a height. She expresses gratitude for again being able to represent the United States in international competition, as well as earning the World Athletics qualifying standard for next year's global meet in Hungary. McDonald reminisces about choosing not to compete in July at the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., as a result of the women's pole vault final being scheduled on a Sunday, and remaining committed to not participating due to her religious beliefs. She shares how inspired she was to watch Katie Nageotte and Sandi Morris secure gold and silver for the United States, as well as reigning NCAA Division 1 champion Gabby Leon from Louisville having an opportunity to compete in place of McDonald, who cleared 15-3 (4.65m) at the USATF Championships in June to finish second behind Morris. McDonald, a Winthrop graduate, also analyzes how she intends to hold true to her convictions and remain strong in her faith to not compete Sunday in the future. She speaks about how meaningful it was to have coach Brian Riggs as well as her father attending the NACAC meet in the Bahamas, and her ambitions to clear 15-7 (4.75m) or higher next year.