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DyeStat.com – News – McKenzie Long Runs ‘Definitely Shocking’ 10.80w At Texas Relays

DyeStat.com - News - McKenzie Long Runs 'Definitely Shocking' 10.80w At Texas Relays

Ole Miss Sprinter Underwent Hip Surgery Three Years Ago And Has Risen Near The Top Of NCAA Sprinting

By David Woods for DyeStat

AUSTIN, Texas – At age 22, McKenzie Long can think about NCAA podiums, a pro career in track and field, a U.S. Olympic Trials.

Less than three years ago, after May 2020 hip surgery, that would have been delusional.  Would have been delusional 10 months ago, in fact.

Here’s another fact: Long ran 100 meters in 10.80 seconds Friday.

INTERVIEWS 

Yes, it was with an aiding wind – but 3.5 meters per second, not the gale that sometimes blows through the Texas Relays. The time counts toward qualification for the NCAA Championships – which will be back at Mike Myers Stadium from June 7-10 – and makes the Mississippi sprinter one of six collegiate women who have ever run that fast.

Long is also the 2023 world leader under all conditions. Previous best was a windy 10.89 (+3.4) by Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand on March 3.

“It’s definitely shocking,” Long said. “I just want to give thanks to God for literally putting me in this position.”

Long transferred from North Carolina State, where she had been for four years. She said it took 12 months to recover from the injury, which was so severe she was evaluated for a hip replacement.

Inevitably, she lost fitness and confidence. She missed the 2021 outdoor season and 2022 indoors. She began returning to form last May, setting an N.C. State record of 23.00 in the 200 but failing to advance out of the NCAA East Regional.

She said she has built trust with 29-year-old sprint coach Holland Sherrer, a former Ole Miss 800-meter runner who has been on staffs at Florida, Syracuse and Mississippi State. Long said she does two pool workouts a week. Doubts are diminishing.

She was fifth in the 60 meters and second in the 200 in the SEC indoors, then seventh in the 60 and fourth in the 200 at NCAAs. Her 22.48 in the 200 ranked No. 5 in the world this year.

Then came Texas Relays and her first 100 since an 11.64 in mid-May 2022, when she failed to make ACC finals. Her previous best was a windy 11.40 at the under-20 USA Championships in 2019.

“I was actually pretty nervous before this,” Long said. “I’m glad I did what I did. Now I can showcase the rest of the season.”

She considers herself better at 200, but she joined an exclusive college club at 100.

Only wind-legal sub-10.80s were 10.75, Sha’Carri Richardson, 2019, and 10.78, Dawn Sowell, 1989, both of LSU. Windy marks:…

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