Grove-McDonough,
the 2008 10,000 meter Canadian Champion, comes to UConn after a stellar
professional career in which she competed on an international scale in every
event from the 800m to the 10,000m. A two-time National Champion,
Grove-McDonough recently won the Canadian Olympic Trials in the 10,000m and
ran the seventh fastest time in Canadian History.
"As an athlete, her record speaks volumes to her extensive talents," said
Morgan. "I'm certain her experience with managing and training elite
athletes will translate into success within our program."
As a professional track and field athlete for over 10 years,
Grove-McDonough has competed on several Canadian National Teams, was a
finalist in the 1,500m at the World University Games in Palma de Mallorca
Spain in 1999 and was ranked second in Canada for the 5,000m in 2002, 2006
and 2007.
The Winnipeg, Man. native and former All-American and All-Big Ten
Academic Conference selection for the University of Minnesota, returned back
to the collegiate level in 2007 to help coach the men's and women's cross
country teams at the University of Montana in Missoula. As a
student-athlete, she was an NCAA Division I Outdoor All-American in 1996 and
a NCAA Indoor Championship qualifier in 1995 as a captain for Minnesota in
1994-96.
"Certainly our message will be clear to tier one distance recruits in
addressing their needs at UConn," added Morgan. "Her credentials and
contacts within the national and international community are stellar and we
know that she is ready to begin her full time coaching career at UConn. We
are very excited about what she will bring to our program."
