The University of Mississippi Athletics
Track & Field’s Long, Saunders Make Team USA at U.S. Olympic Trials
6/29/2024 | Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. – Ole Miss track & field NCAA Champions McKenzie Long (women's 200-meter dash) and Raven Saunders (women's shot put) both booked passage to the Paris Olympic Games after superb qualifying performances on Saturday at Day Eight of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Long finished third in the women's 200-meter final at 21.91 (+0.6) to claim the last ticket to Paris, the second-fastest wind-legal 200-meter time of her career and the fastest ever by a third-place finisher at the Trials. Long is the first woman in Ole Miss history to qualify for the Olympics in a running event, and joins only Brittney Reese and Raven Saunders as the lone women in track & field program history to become an Olympian.
For Long, this is the culmination not only of her track career to this point, but also of a 2024 season full of highs and lows. She entered as an NCAA favorite after finishing as the outdoor runner-up in 2023. And then her mom passed away in the midst of the indoor season. And then she lit the track on fire, becoming the second-fastest in collegiate history at 200 meters and the sixth woman in Division I history to sweep the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relay at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. All while keeping her mother's presence at the forefront of her life.
"I really was just smiling from ear-to-ear, honestly," Long said. "I wanted to come into this race very confident in what I've done this far, and just crossing that line knowing that I'm an Olympian now, it's so surreal. And I know my Mom is smiling, from cheek-to-cheek. I know she is beyond proud of me, and that's all I could ever want from her."
Even as one of the fastest women in the world, Long faced a tall task to make Team USA, sandwiched in Lane 7 in between the U.S. champion in the 100-meter, Sha'Carri Richardson, and the newly-crowned world-leader and 2021 Olympic medalist, Gabby Thomas. But despite the long collegiate season, Long used her signature second gear to keep pace with the veterans and beat out Richardson for the third spot. Thomas claimed the U.S. title at 21.81, while Brittany Brown was the runner-up at 21.90.
"The last 60 meters is really where I'm like, don't break your form," Long said. "That's literally the make-or-break between finishing first, second or last. Don't break your form no matter what. Just cross the finish line as strong as you can, and it'll carry you through. It's a full 200 meters."
In the women's shot put, reigning Olympic silver medalist Raven Saunders only needed one throw to secure her spot on Team USA, but decided to notch a slight improvement in the final round anyway. Saunders took the lead on her first-round season-best of 19.88m/65-02.75, and was eventually overtaken by eventual champion and two-time reigning World gold medalist Chase Jackson in the fourth round at 20.10m/65-11.50. That did little to dampen Saunders' Olympic dreams though, as she held onto the second spot and even improved in the sixth round to 19.90m/65-03.50.
This is the third Olympic berth for Saunders, who finished fifth as a 20-year-old in Rio in 2016 before winning a silver medal in Tokyo in 2021. Saunders is now the eighth woman in the history of the United States to make three Olympic teams in the shot put, joining Michelle Carter (2008, '12, '16), Jill Camerena (2004, '08, '12), Ramona Pagel (1984, '88, '92, '96), Maren Seidler (1968, '72, '76, '80), Lynn Graham (1964, '68, '72), Earlene Brown (1956, '60, '64) – and, of course, Ole Miss head coach Connie Price-Smith, who made four Olympiads in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.
In the men's discus final, All-American alum and three-time World Championships qualifier Brian Williams once again made the top-eight, finishing seventh at a season-best 65.03m/213-4.
One day remains for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday, with one Rebel left to compete: star sophomore Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan in the men's hammer final at 5:15 p.m. CT.
DAY NINE RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – Final
3. McKenzie Long – 21.91 (+0.6) – Team USA
Women's Shot Put – Final
2. Raven Saunders – 19.90m/65-03.50 – Team USA – SB
10. Jalani Davis – 17.86m/58-07.25
11. Akaoma Odeluga – 17.08m/56-00.50
Men's Discus – Final
7. Brian Williams – 65.03m/213-4 – SB
-----
DAY EIGHT RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – Semifinals
3. McKenzie Long – 22.01 (+0.6) AQ
Women's Shot Put – Qualifying
2. Raven Saunders – 19.54m/64-01.25 AQ – SB
8. Akaoma Odeluga – 18.13m/59-05.75 AQ – PR, No. 2 U.S. U20 History, No. 3 Ole Miss History, 2024 World U20 No. 2, 2024 U.S. U20 No. 1
9. Jalani Davis – 18.07m/59-03.50 AQ
15. Mensi Stiff – 17.38m/57-00.25 – Outdoor PR, No. 5 Ole Miss History
Men's Hammer – Qualifying
12. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 72.96m/239-4 AQ – PR, Ole Miss Record
-----
DAY SEVEN RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – First Round
5. McKenzie Long – 22.49 (+0.8) AQ
Men's 5K – First Round
12. Anthony Camerieri – 13:31.41
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles – Semifinals
20. Ahmad Young Jr. – 13.58 (-0.2)
Men's Discus – Qualifying
7. Brian Williams – 62.56m/205-3 AQ
-----
DAY SIX
Practice Day
-----
DAY FIVE
Practice Day
-----
DAY FOUR RESULTS
Men's 1500-Meter – Final
9. Craig Engels – 3:34.21 – SB
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles – First Round
21. Ahmad Young Jr. – 13.46 (+1.8) – Ties PR, No. 3 Ole Miss History
-----
DAY THREE RESULTS
Men's Pole Vault – Final
1. Sam Kendricks – 5.92m/19-5 – Team USA – Meet Record
Women's Hammer – Final
5. Janeah Stewart – 70.34m/230-9
11. Jasmine Mitchell – 59.74m/196-0
-----
DAY TWO RESULTS
Women's 100-Meter Dash – Semifinals
12. McKenzie Long – 11.15 (+0.0)
24. Shannon Ray – 11.37 (+0.4)
Men's 1500-Meter – Semifinals
7. Craig Engels – 3:35.08q – SB
8. Waleed Suliman – 3:35.72 – PR
Men's Shot Put – Final
8. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 20.98m/68-10 – Outdoor PR, Ole Miss Outdoor Record
-----
DAY ONE RESULTS
Women's 100-Meter Dash – First Round
3. McKenzie Long – 10.94 (+0.4) AQ
27. Shannon Ray – 11.31 (+0.9)
30. Jahniya Bowers – 11.44 (+0.3)
Men's 1500-Meter – First Round
22. Craig Engels – 3:38.69 AQ
28. Waleed Suliman – 3:39.12
Men's Pole Vault – Qualifying
T6. Sam Kendricks – 5.65m/18-06.50 AQ
Men's Shot Put – Qualifying
8. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 20.49m/67-02.75 AQ
Women's Hammer – Qualifying
9. Janeah Stewart – 69.03m/226-5 AQ
12. Jasmine Mitchell – 65.49m/214-10 AQ
Long finished third in the women's 200-meter final at 21.91 (+0.6) to claim the last ticket to Paris, the second-fastest wind-legal 200-meter time of her career and the fastest ever by a third-place finisher at the Trials. Long is the first woman in Ole Miss history to qualify for the Olympics in a running event, and joins only Brittney Reese and Raven Saunders as the lone women in track & field program history to become an Olympian.
Gabby Thomas puts on a clinic in her signature event!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 30, 2024
Wins the #TrackFieldTrials24 200m final in 21.81. pic.twitter.com/9mvNgvt5Ko
For Long, this is the culmination not only of her track career to this point, but also of a 2024 season full of highs and lows. She entered as an NCAA favorite after finishing as the outdoor runner-up in 2023. And then her mom passed away in the midst of the indoor season. And then she lit the track on fire, becoming the second-fastest in collegiate history at 200 meters and the sixth woman in Division I history to sweep the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relay at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. All while keeping her mother's presence at the forefront of her life.
"I really was just smiling from ear-to-ear, honestly," Long said. "I wanted to come into this race very confident in what I've done this far, and just crossing that line knowing that I'm an Olympian now, it's so surreal. And I know my Mom is smiling, from cheek-to-cheek. I know she is beyond proud of me, and that's all I could ever want from her."
Even as one of the fastest women in the world, Long faced a tall task to make Team USA, sandwiched in Lane 7 in between the U.S. champion in the 100-meter, Sha'Carri Richardson, and the newly-crowned world-leader and 2021 Olympic medalist, Gabby Thomas. But despite the long collegiate season, Long used her signature second gear to keep pace with the veterans and beat out Richardson for the third spot. Thomas claimed the U.S. title at 21.81, while Brittany Brown was the runner-up at 21.90.
"The last 60 meters is really where I'm like, don't break your form," Long said. "That's literally the make-or-break between finishing first, second or last. Don't break your form no matter what. Just cross the finish line as strong as you can, and it'll carry you through. It's a full 200 meters."
In the women's shot put, reigning Olympic silver medalist Raven Saunders only needed one throw to secure her spot on Team USA, but decided to notch a slight improvement in the final round anyway. Saunders took the lead on her first-round season-best of 19.88m/65-02.75, and was eventually overtaken by eventual champion and two-time reigning World gold medalist Chase Jackson in the fourth round at 20.10m/65-11.50. That did little to dampen Saunders' Olympic dreams though, as she held onto the second spot and even improved in the sixth round to 19.90m/65-03.50.
This is the third Olympic berth for Saunders, who finished fifth as a 20-year-old in Rio in 2016 before winning a silver medal in Tokyo in 2021. Saunders is now the eighth woman in the history of the United States to make three Olympic teams in the shot put, joining Michelle Carter (2008, '12, '16), Jill Camerena (2004, '08, '12), Ramona Pagel (1984, '88, '92, '96), Maren Seidler (1968, '72, '76, '80), Lynn Graham (1964, '68, '72), Earlene Brown (1956, '60, '64) – and, of course, Ole Miss head coach Connie Price-Smith, who made four Olympiads in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.
In the men's discus final, All-American alum and three-time World Championships qualifier Brian Williams once again made the top-eight, finishing seventh at a season-best 65.03m/213-4.
One day remains for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday, with one Rebel left to compete: star sophomore Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan in the men's hammer final at 5:15 p.m. CT.
DAY NINE RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – Final
3. McKenzie Long – 21.91 (+0.6) – Team USA
Women's Shot Put – Final
2. Raven Saunders – 19.90m/65-03.50 – Team USA – SB
10. Jalani Davis – 17.86m/58-07.25
11. Akaoma Odeluga – 17.08m/56-00.50
Men's Discus – Final
7. Brian Williams – 65.03m/213-4 – SB
-----
DAY EIGHT RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – Semifinals
3. McKenzie Long – 22.01 (+0.6) AQ
Women's Shot Put – Qualifying
2. Raven Saunders – 19.54m/64-01.25 AQ – SB
8. Akaoma Odeluga – 18.13m/59-05.75 AQ – PR, No. 2 U.S. U20 History, No. 3 Ole Miss History, 2024 World U20 No. 2, 2024 U.S. U20 No. 1
9. Jalani Davis – 18.07m/59-03.50 AQ
15. Mensi Stiff – 17.38m/57-00.25 – Outdoor PR, No. 5 Ole Miss History
Men's Hammer – Qualifying
12. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 72.96m/239-4 AQ – PR, Ole Miss Record
-----
DAY SEVEN RESULTS
Women's 200-Meter Dash – First Round
5. McKenzie Long – 22.49 (+0.8) AQ
Men's 5K – First Round
12. Anthony Camerieri – 13:31.41
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles – Semifinals
20. Ahmad Young Jr. – 13.58 (-0.2)
Men's Discus – Qualifying
7. Brian Williams – 62.56m/205-3 AQ
-----
DAY SIX
Practice Day
-----
DAY FIVE
Practice Day
-----
DAY FOUR RESULTS
Men's 1500-Meter – Final
9. Craig Engels – 3:34.21 – SB
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles – First Round
21. Ahmad Young Jr. – 13.46 (+1.8) – Ties PR, No. 3 Ole Miss History
-----
DAY THREE RESULTS
Men's Pole Vault – Final
1. Sam Kendricks – 5.92m/19-5 – Team USA – Meet Record
Women's Hammer – Final
5. Janeah Stewart – 70.34m/230-9
11. Jasmine Mitchell – 59.74m/196-0
-----
DAY TWO RESULTS
Women's 100-Meter Dash – Semifinals
12. McKenzie Long – 11.15 (+0.0)
24. Shannon Ray – 11.37 (+0.4)
Men's 1500-Meter – Semifinals
7. Craig Engels – 3:35.08q – SB
8. Waleed Suliman – 3:35.72 – PR
Men's Shot Put – Final
8. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 20.98m/68-10 – Outdoor PR, Ole Miss Outdoor Record
-----
DAY ONE RESULTS
Women's 100-Meter Dash – First Round
3. McKenzie Long – 10.94 (+0.4) AQ
27. Shannon Ray – 11.31 (+0.9)
30. Jahniya Bowers – 11.44 (+0.3)
Men's 1500-Meter – First Round
22. Craig Engels – 3:38.69 AQ
28. Waleed Suliman – 3:39.12
Men's Pole Vault – Qualifying
T6. Sam Kendricks – 5.65m/18-06.50 AQ
Men's Shot Put – Qualifying
8. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan – 20.49m/67-02.75 AQ
Women's Hammer – Qualifying
9. Janeah Stewart – 69.03m/226-5 AQ
12. Jasmine Mitchell – 65.49m/214-10 AQ
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