“I Felt Her”: With 3 Golds at NCAA Finals, Track and Field Sensation McKenzie Long Reveals Late Mother’s Presence Before Race

In a season of remarkable achievements, McKenzie Long, the rising star of college track and field, has captured the hearts of fans with her extraordinary performance and a deeply personal revelation. Long’s dominance at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Hayward Field, where she secured three gold medals, was underscored by an intimate moment that she attributes to her late mother’s guiding presence.

Recounting her experience with CITIUS MAG, Long shared a pre-race incident that left her moved. “Write this down. For this 100m, I literally went out on the blocks and my blocks setting was already set. You usually have to fix your blocks before you get into your lane.” she explained. The 100m, admittedly not her strongest event compared to the 200m, suddenly felt different.

“The 100m is the event where I’m less comfortable in compared to the 200m.” Long confessed. “When I went out there and the blocks were already set in my settings, I was shook. I was like, ‘Mom, this is instantly you.’ … That was her and I felt her.” This perceived maternal intervention seemed to resonate deeply with Long, providing comfort in an event that typically challenges her confidence.

The impact was evident! Long not only competed and triumphed in the 100m, but she also achieved a rare trifecta at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, winning gold in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter sprint, and 4×100-meter relay. Her exceptional performances, all within a three-hour window, have etched her name in the annals of collegiate athletics.

Long’s feat marks only the seventh time in the history of the women’s NCAA Outdoor Championships that an athlete has claimed victory in all three of these sprint events. This accomplishment places her in elite company, as the Ole Miss (University of Mississippi) track and field team joins a select group of institutions to have achieved this triple crown.

Previously, Florida State (1984) blazed the trail, followed by LSU‘s three-time feat (1989, 1990, 1996), and Texas‘ double triumph (1991, 2023). Long’s victories underscore her outstanding athleticism and solidify Ole Miss’ position among the powerhouses of collegiate track and field. Her victories, while spectacular, were amplified by this personal narrative of loss, love, and unbreakable bonds.

McKenzie Long’s support tribe powering her through life

Presently, McKenzie Long appears quite close to her father. After her stellar achievement at Eugene, she ran to the stands and hugged him, suggesting their emotional connection. And thus, in perhaps one of the happiest moments of her life, she had him by her side. Moreover, a few days back at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Long even acknowledged her coach’s contribution.

Speaking to FloTrack, she said, “I have a great coach; he is always there for me.“ Other than that, she asserted, “I have a huge support system; they allow me to live like I’m not saying normally but allow me to live the life that I used to live with my mom.” With all these people by her side, and pillared by her mother’s memories, Long has achieved a massive feat. Hopefully, she continues this streak and adds more strings to her bow.