Nesconset native closer to Olympic dream
Maria Michta leads the group during the final race walk at the Sachem Central School District hosted special event to support the district alum and Olympic hopeful. (June 10, 2012) Credit: Steve Pfost
At age 10, Maria Michta of Nesconset was captivated by the athletes on TV competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics, and dreamed of one day calling herself an Olympian.
Now a five-time national champion in the sport of race walking, Michta, 25, is inching closer to her dream -- backed by a community of supporters determined to get her across the finish line.
Sunday, more than 300 Sachem school district students, staff and neighbors participated in the Maria Michta Day Walk-A-Thon at Sachem High School North in Lake Ronkonkoma, collecting donations to support Michta's training and travel.
"It's so touching and humbling to have so many people I've never met tell me their stories and encourage me with their support," said Michta, a 2004 graduate of Sachem High School.
On July 1, she'll head to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., to compete for one of three spots on the U.S. team. If she qualifies, she will travel to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, in London from July 27 through Aug. 12.
Her coaches say she stands a good chance, considering she has won the past three indoor National Championship titles and past two outdoor National Championship titles in the 20-kilometer race. Competitive racewalkers, with their distinctive gait, move at a swift pace without ever breaking into a jog.
"Every day brings me one more step closer to achieving my dream," Michta said, standing in front of a fence decorated with her picture, American flags and inspirational quotes.
She was introduced to the sport as a high school freshman on Sachem's track and field team; from there she racked up four national high school titles -- missing her high school graduation because she was on the Junior U.S. National team, competing in Italy.
Despite the rigors of training twice every day, Michta has hit the books just as hard. She graduated as valedictorian of LIU Post in 2008 with a degree in biology, and she is working toward her doctorate in microbiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Michta often speaks to students at the district's 18 schools about the importance of an active lifestyle and staying focused on their goals.
At the end of Sunday's races, dozens of children and their parents lined up for Michta to autograph shirts printed with one of her mottos -- Amazing Awaits.
"She sends the message to our kids that anything's possible," said Sachem school district athletic director Pete Blieberg, "that someone from Small Town USA can go as far as they want to, even the Olympics."
