By Joseph DiCristofaro
The Ironton Tribune

Navigating the difficulties and grief that come along with the passing of a dear loved one is something that is hard to fathom for many.
For Ironton native, three-time NCAA track and field national champion and Olympian McKenzie Long, she navigated those difficulties while achieving one of the tallest athletic feats imaginable, qualifying to represent Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I knew that losing my literal world in my mother passing away is devastating and that I could easily be put in a hole, and I knew that was something I did not want for myself,” Long said.
“If I was able to take that grief and turn it into a positive it would do amazing things for me,” she said. “Knowing my mom is up there and doing many things that I can’t even see happening is the most motivating factor for me becoming an Olympian and a three-time national champion.”
Long lost her mother during this past season at Ole Miss. Since the passing of her mother, Long reached the pinnacle of college athletics taking home three national championships in under two hours.
“I had moments where I was mad that I was going through these high moments without her, but she’s there even when I can’t physically see her,” Long said.
Despite her mother no longer being with her Long carries the advice that her mother gave her near to her heart.
“She always said be McKenzie Long, be who you are and who God raised you to be and everything will happen and fall into place,” Long said. “Ride the wave of life.”
Long’s track career began many years ago as a young girl in Ironton where she has garnered much support during this time. She began officially running track at IMS before eventually transferring to a school in Columbus to gain more exposure.
“I appreciate the support I’ve got from Ironton; this whole process is overwhelming,” Long said. “When I was in recess I would race against the other little girls and boys, and that’s when I figured out that I’m really fast.”
Long began her collegiate career at North Carolina State University where she battled injuries for much of her time with the Wolfpack.
After hip surgery during her junior year at NC State and the recovery process, Long decided to transfer to an SEC school to further her athletic career.
“I was able, god willing, to run fast enough after my hip surgery to find more competition at an SEC school,” Long said. “My coach was a big fan of me leaving; he told me to go find somewhere where I would be able to grow and become the McKenzie Long he knew I would be able to be.”
With the 2024 Paris Olympics drawing near Long said the thought of being an Olympian was never really on her mind before the events of the past few months.
“I never thought that I would become an Olympian,” Long said. “I knew I was really good, but I never imagined myself being an Olympian. I think the main factor in how that changed was my mom passing away. I think that’s the reason I’m able to become an Olympian this year.”
With the Olympics around the corner, Long has been training both mentally and physically for the games in Paris.
“I try not to think of it as anything bigger than what it is. I don’t want to overwhelm myself, so I think of it as just another track meet,” Long said. “I don’t want to go into this meet and go into full panic mode, so I go in confident and think of it as just another meet so I can stay grounded.”
As for the future of her track and field career following the Olympics, Long said she plans to train to compete in the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.