Maria Michta has kept up her winning ways since returning from the Olympics.
On Sunday she captured her fourth straight U.S. indoor 3,000-meter race walk championship in New Mexico. Michta, a Sachem alum from the Class of 2004, finished with an event-best 13:07.07.
In 2012 she completed the event in 13:15.31.
In a post-race interview on the winner’s podium, Michta spoke of not wanting to make this a close race from the onset.
“I decided I had to go early and make it hurt sooner and that’s what I did,” she said.
Michta has also won three straight U.S. outdoor race walk titles and set the U.S. Olympic record in the 20k this past summer in London.
Michta’s longtime coach and fellow Long Island native Tim Seaman won the men’s 3,000-meter race walk title as well. It was his 45th championship and 14th in that specific event.
CLICK HERE to see a complete breakdown of every race from this weekend’s U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships.
VIDEO: Watch Maria talk about her victory on the winner’s podium
Complete 3,000- meter race walk results
Some Maria Michta highlights
- 2012 London Olympics: Finished 29th overall with U.S. record in 20k
- Three-time USA Outdoor 20 km RW champion – 2012, 2011, 2010
- Four-time USA Indoor 3,000m RW champion – 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
- 2005 Pan Am Race Walking Cup 10 km runner-up
- 2005 Pan Am Games 10 km RW bronze medalist
- 2004 USA Junior Outdoor 10 km RW bronze medalist
- 2003 USA Junior Outdoor 10 km RW silver medalist
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro