IRONTON, OH (WOWK) – An Ironton native is headed to the Track and Field Olympic Trials, hoping to achieve a feat many can only dream of while representing the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
McKenzie Long began her running career at Ironton Middle School. That’s where her dad, Micheal Long, said she fell in love with the sport.
“It’s just been amazing to watch her journey from middle school to high school and now a three-time national championship. It’s just crazy,” Micheal said.
Earlier this month, McKenzie won the triple crown at the NCAA Championships, placing first in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4×100 meter relay. She currently ranks as the 2024 World Leader in the 200-meter, clocking in at 21.83 seconds.
“Obviously as a dad, I was very proud, especially since all the things she’s had to overcome to get to this point,” Micheal said
From dealing with a hip injury to suddenly losing her mom back in January, Micheal said McKenzie has dealt with her fair share of challenges.
Valeria Freeman, family friend and owner of “Treasures from the Valley,” said, “she’s had a lot of trials, she’s had a lot of valleys, but she’s used those valleys to triumph.”
Micheal said a big motivation for McKenzie this year has been running in honor of her mom, whose memory continues to give her strength along this journey.
“Her mom, her special angel, that is with her,” Freeman said. “As her mom always said, ‘It’s just a piece of cake,’ and we just want to be a small piece to help her family and her to continue this journey.”
Freeman said she is selling t-shirts to financially assist the family with traveling to Eugene, Oregon, for the Olympic Trials. Anyone who is interested can reach out to “Treasures from the Valley” in-person or on Facebook.
“We’re more than proud of her and excited but that’s what Ironton is about,” Freeman said. “We not only come together in hardships, but in victory. And being from a small town, this is just one way we can pay it forward to help this family.”
McKenzie will compete in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the Olympic Trials which run from Friday, June 21, through Sunday, June 30.