Liberty University’s Michael Long was named the Conference USA Men’s Track Athlete of the Week after breaking his own program record in the men’s 800 meters, according to a May 5 announcement.
Long’s achievement is notable as he became the first athlete from Liberty to run under both 1:47 and 1:48 in the event. He recorded a time of 1:46.77 at The Hill City Twilight meet on Saturday, surpassing his previous school record of 1:48.22.
A junior from Sterling, Virginia, Long is also the second consecutive first-year Flame to receive this weekly honor, following Tahj Brown who was recognized on April 28. His new mark places him at No. 40 nationally in the men’s 800 meters and represents the fastest Conference USA time in this event since UTEP’s Michael Saruni finished third at the NCAA national final in 2018.
Long’s performance secured him a spot at the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet, marking Liberty’s seventh men’s 800 qualifier appearance in nine years for that competition. The Flames will conclude their regular season by hosting the Liberty Twilight Qualifier on Wednesday at Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex. The event begins at 11 a.m., with a senior day ceremony scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Although Long will not compete in his signature event during Wednesday’s meet, he is set to participate in both the men’s 400 meters—his first time running that distance as a Flame—and the men’s 1,500 meters.
