By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

EUGENE, OR — Two down and one to go.

Ironton native McKenzie Long is one race away from getting her plane ticket to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Long finished third in the 200-meter dash semifinals and will run in the finals on Saturday at 8:27 p.m. on Saturday.

Long posted a time of 22.01 seconds in the tightly contested race.

Gabby Thomas had the fastest time at 21.78 seconds while Sha’Carri Richardson — who had the fastest time in the first round — was second at 21.92 seconds.

After Long was Abby Steiner at 22.03, Brittany Brown 22.08, Tamari Davis 22.10, Tamara Clark 22.12, Jenna Prandini 22.26 and Jadyn Mays 22.33.

Long has the fastest 200 time this year in the 200 meters at 21.83 seconds that she ran to win the event at the NCAA Championships on June 8, also in Eugene.

The meet record was set by Thomas in 2021 at 21.61 seconds. The national and world record is held by Florence Griffith-Joyner at 21.34 seconds.

Long posted a time of 22.49 seconds in Thursday’s first round of preliminaries. A total of 35 sprinters began the preliminaries and the final 3 runners are expected to qualify for the Olympic team if they meet the established standards for this meet.