McKenzie Long, the reigning Southeastern Conference women's 200-meter champion and an Ole Miss graduate student-athlete with program records in the 60-meter dash, 100-meter dash, indoor and outdoor 200 meters, indoor 300 meters and 4x100-meter relay, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss becoming the first female athlete in Rebels' history to capture the conference title and preparing to compete May 25 and 27 at the NCAA East Regional in Jacksonville, Fla. Long, a transfer from North Carolina State who competed as a prep athlete at Pickerington Central in Ohio, reflects on hip surgery in 2020 and returning to competition for the Wolfpack and producing a program all-time mark in the 200, as well as contributing to relay records in the 4x100 and 4x400. She examines the impact that Rebels' sprint coach Holland Sherrer has had on her progress and improvement since arriving in Oxford, as well as the guidance received from Ole Miss head coach Connie Price-Smith about pursuing a professional track career. Long reflects on earning All-America first-team honors March 11 in the 60 and 200 at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., and equaling the No. 17 competitor in collegiate history in the 60 at 7.10 seconds, along with elevating to No. 12 all-time in the NCAA in the indoor 200 at 22.48. She shares how significant her experience was March 31 and April 1 at the 95th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and running a wind-aided 10.80 in the 100 to ascend to the No. 6 all-conditions performer in collegiate history, in addition to running faster than any of the professional athletes did at the meet. Long also revisits competing against Texas' Julien Alfred in the 200 meters April 15 at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Florida and running a wind-legal 22.31 seconds that helped her move into the top 30 all-time collegiate outdoor competitors. She speaks about the significance of her faith and how her spiritual journey has evolved in recent years, in addition to expressing gratitude to her family, friends, coaches and teammates for their unwavering support. Long also talks about her future goals in track, including competing in July at the USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Oregon, as well as with her Masters degree in criminal justice and pursuing a career in criminal profiling, in addition to sharing how meaningful it was for her and family to have a special graduation ceremony following the SEC Championships to recognize her achievement.