Tina McDonie Promoted to Head Cross Country Coach at Lake Forest College
McDonie spent two seasons as the team's assistant coach

LAKE FOREST, IL - Lake Forest College Athletic Director Jackie Slaats has announced that Tina McDonie has been promoted to head cross country coach. McDonie spent the past two years as the team's assistant coach. 

McDonie, a resident of Gurnee, IL, replaces Mike Wajerski, who will remain at the College as the school's Sports Information Director. 

McDonie has extensive experience within the sports of running and swimming. McDonie has been a member of local track clubs in State College, Pennsylvania (Liberty Road and Track) and Lake County, Illinois (Lake Forest/Lake Bluff) and has raced all distances through the half-marathon. 

Also a self-coached triathlete, McDonie competed in her first triathlon in 1998 at the Danskin Sprint Distance where she placed first in her age group and 17th overall. She has also raced in the Lake Geneva Olympic Distance where she placed first in her age group and was the fourth female to cross the finish line. 

She has also competed at all levels of competitive swimming - summer swim leagues, YMCA, AAU, high school, NCAA Division I and II, and Masters. 

Coach McDonie gained her coaching experience first at The Athletic Club in State College, Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1996, and, most recently, at the Patriot Aquatic Club in Lincolnshire, Illinois as an assistant coach for the United States Swimming (USS) age group program from 1998-99. 

McDonie received her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University in 1984. While at Lehigh, McDonie was a four-year varsity letter winner on the women's swim team and was named the Most Valuable Swimmer in 1983 and 1984. She qualified for the NCAA national meet and was a conference champion.

Additionally, McDonie was named the school's Outstanding Senior Female Athlete and received the ECAC Award for Scholarship and Athletic Prowess.