FREDERICK, Md.--A former cross country and lacrosse standout at Bishop O'Connell (Va.) High School will continue her careers in both sports at Hood College.

Meredith McDonough will suit up for the Blazers beginning this fall. While at O'Connell, she earned three letters in lacrosse as a defender and first home and one each in cross country and indoor track.

As a senior, she was named the cross country team's most improved runner and served as captain of the indoor track team. She also won an indoor lacrosse championship last winter playing with Lake Braddock High School.

"Meredith is somewhat new to distance running, but is rapidly improving," Hood head cross country and track and field coach Brent Ayer said. "I look for her to break into our top seven this fall."

"Meredith will bring a lot of experience to our defense and may see some time in the midfield," said Blazer head women's lacrosse coach Staci Thomson.

McDonough, who plans to major in sociology, is an accomplished violinist who was a two-year member of the honors orchestra. She traveled to Japan and Europe as a member of the People to People Student Ambassador Program, and she also participated in numerous community service activities.