First-year Luther College 149-pounder, McDonough claimed third place at the 2023 Lower Midwest Regionals to earn a spot at the NCAA Championships. Winning his championship wrestle-in bout with a 6-0 decision, McDonough matched up with the No. 4-seed where he lost by fall (1:47) to send him to the consolation bracket. In the first round of the consolation bracket, McDonough picked up an 11-3 major decision before falling to the third seed by major decision (12-3).
