Kammala wannan jumla: A cikin kakar 2000-2001, McDonough ta fara fitowa a gasar ISU Junior Grand Prix. Ta lashe lambar tagulla a gasar ta farko da ta azurfa a karo na biyu, wanda ya cancanci ta zuwa wasan karshe na Junior Grand Prix. Ta ci gaba da lashe gasar Junior Grand Prix Final. McDonough ta fara wasan farko a gasar zakarun Amurka ta 2001 kuma ta kasance ta 7. Ta tafi a kan zuwa
2001 Gasar Zakarun Duniya, inda ta lashe lambar azurfa.