Track and field trials: Sprinter McKenzie Long inspired by late mother

EUGENE, Ore. — It’s a reflex, muscle memory of a soul that hasn’t moved on, an automatic reaction really.

And why wouldn’t it be?

For 23 years Tara Jones was always there for her daughter McKenzie Long. Why wouldn’t she be now?Especially now?

And so over the past month, a month in which she has emerged as the next great American sprinter, Long has repeatedly turned to tell her mother something, reached for her phone to share her joy. And her blues.Brief moments, that blink of an eye between the past and cold reality...