McKenzie Long, inspired by mom, earns spot on Olympic team in 200

EUGENE, Ore. — In the past few months, McKenzie Long has experienced pure elation and complete heartbreak.

Saturday at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, she felt both.

Long, the NCAA champion in the 100 and 200 meters earlier this month, finished third in the 200 final here, qualifying for the Paris Olympics in her best event. She crossed the line in 21.91, behind winner Gabby Thomas (21.81) and Brittany Brown (21.90).

Long was a star at Ole Miss who had the best 200 time in the world this season — which she ran in Eugene at the NCAA championships on June 8 — before Thomas went even faster in the semifinals. Long also competed in the 100 here but did not make the final.

But she still had a chance to make her mom proud. She is running in memory of her mother, Tara Jones, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack at just 45 right before the season started.

At the NCAA championships, an emotional Long told reporters she talks to her mom every day, and when she got in the blocks for her final race, “I told her, ‘Mom this is my last race, push me through’ — and she did.”

When she crossed the finish line Saturday, she was again emotional. She told reporters Friday after her first heat that she and her mom had dreamed together of attending the Olympics — with Long on the track, and Jones in the stands cheering her on.

Her story of perseverance has made the rounds this week and inspired other runners.

“You see her doing incredible things on the track despite what she’s going through in her personal life,” Thomas said Friday after the semifinals. “It just kind of fuels me to go into my races and do well.”

Now they’ll get to try to do well together, as U.S. teammates

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McKenzie Long third at Olympic track trials, earns 200 spot for Paris