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Ole Miss track and field athletes McKenzie Long, Raven Saunders headed to Paris Olympics

OXFORD ― Less than a month after she won three NCAA individual championships in track, Ole Miss product McKenzie Long has earned the right to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Long finished third in the finals of the women's 200-meter dash in the U.S. Olympic track and field finals on Saturday aft Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Finishing with a time of 21.91, Long claimed the third and final spot on Team USA for the event.

In a conversation with reporters after the event, Long remembered her mom, Tara Jones, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack before the beginning of the season at the age of 45.

"Just crossing that line knowing that I'm an Olympian now is so surreal," she said. "And I know my mom is smiling from cheek to cheek.

Long began an outstanding night for the Ole Miss track and field program.

Shortly after her competition concluded, former Ole Miss thrower Raven Saunders earned a third trip to the Olympics, finishing second in the women's shot put final with a distance of 65 feet, 2.75 inches.

That gives the Rebels three track and field Olympic qualifications in total. Sam Kendricks earned his place in the men's pole vault last week.

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David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.

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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss' McKenzie Long, Raven Saunders going to 2024 Paris Olympics