Each new Trinitonian issue release is another race against the clock for the reigning crossword champion, Patricia McDonald. Every Friday, onlookers in Coates Student Center may witness the next record-breaking puzzle performance.
“I am walking with purpose, and I probably look quite intense. And then I will park at a table, and I will not move until that crossword is done,” McDonald said. “There will be a lot of muttering and a lot of general disgruntled intensity.”
McDonald, junior classical languages and ancient Mediterranean studies double-major, is the ten-time crossword winner for the 2025-2026 academic year. Her crossword process may seem serious, but she assured the Trinitonian that she’s having the time of her life, having a long history with the puzzles.
McDonald is no stranger to the pressure of the crossword champion. Growing up, she spent summers competing with her now-86-year-old grandfather to finish the New York Times’ crossword. During these summers, she learned to love the niche knowledge that the puzzles require.
“I love the trick questions, and the gimmicks and the themes, because you start to speak the language of the crossword and learn how to pick up on what the person writing the crossword wants you to,” McDonald said.
Continuing her childhood tradition, McDonald completed her first Trinitonian crossword puzzle last spring after solving one with her friend. Now, she makes the crossword a part of her Friday routine. Her record time is 11 minutes, and she seeks to break sub-10 minutes soon.
Out of the many puzzles she’s completed, McDonald said her favorite Trinitonian crossword theme was Black History Month, as it offered a fun way to learn lesser-known facts about the subject. As a self-described “politics junkie,” she said her all-time favorite clue was about Candace Owens suing French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron.
While she cannot reveal all of her secrets, McDonald provided some insider information on how she finishes crosswords. She writes exclusively in cursive except when completing the puzzle, she said. Her instrument of choice is a mechanical pencil, which she uses to fill in the blanks to the tune of her favorite hype music, Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 2.
For some strategic tips, McDonald said puzzlers should learn the language of the crossword. Since each creator has a distinct style, puzzlers can learn to pick up on their unique tricks, she said. She also recommended that beginners write in pen so that they get their thoughts on paper.
“Even if it might end up being wrong, committing to something and moving forward gets you in the habit of reacting quickly and answering quickly,” McDonald said. “Usually, you’ll start getting better at having your first instinct be the correct instinct.”
When asked to compare herself to crossword greats, McDonald said she wasn’t there quite yet. Instead, she’s focusing on trying to keep up with her grandfather with each new puzzle.
