McKenzie Long has herself described the 100-meter dash as her second-best event.
At best.
And yet the legendary now-former Ole Miss short-sprinter still coasted to a national title a week ago today (June 15, 2024) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Nearly two million people tuned in to watch.
“The 100 is the event where I’m less comfortable in compared to the 200,” Long said. “When I went out there and the block was already in my settings, I was shook.
“I was like, ‘Mom, this is instantly you.’ That’s never happened to me before.”
Long crossed with a slightly-windy winning time of 10.82 (+2.2) for her first individual title. It also became the first for an Ole Miss man or woman in an outdoors event shorter than the 800-meter.
Long followed up less than an hour later with another in the 200-meter. Her mother, Tara Jones, passed away back during the indoor season.
“I talk to my mom every day,” Long said, in a post-race interview with ESPN’s John Anderson. “Everything I do is for her. And in those blocks right there, I said, ‘Mom, this is my last race, just push me through.’
“And she did.”
Long entered rarified NCAA air with her TitleTown exploits.
She became just the sixth-ever triple-crown winner, as well as the 15th woman in D-l history to sweep the 100 and 200. Long also ran the second leg of Ole Miss’ winning 4×100-meter relay.
“Today has been the most pivotal moment of my life,” Long said. “I’m really just grateful and blessed I’m here to showcase my abilities. I’m just looking forward to keep going.”
Long’s 100m win, in its entirety, can be viewed in the included video, which was provided by Ole Miss Sports Production.
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