Maria Michta Wins Third National Championship

Sachem alum Maria Michta won her third U.S. Track & Field Outdoor National Championship in the 20K racewalk at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Sunday morning.

She finished in 1:34:51.57, holding off rival and former national champion Theresa Vaill by more than 40 seconds. 

Michta, who graduated in 2004, cut nearly five minutes off her time from last year’s event in Des Moines, IA, when she finished in 1:39:46.12.

The American record is 1:33:28.15 set by Vaill in 2005, while the world record is 1:26:52.30 set by Russia’s Olimpiada Ivanova in 2001.

At the U.S. Track & Field Racewalk trials held last year at Sachem High School North, her home course, she had the fastest qualifying time with 1:43.47 for the 2010 event.

Her goal has been the 2012 Olympics in London. She’s on pace to make some noise and be the first Sachem alum to participate in the games.

The U.S. Championships serve as the selection event for the coveted spots to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Championships August 27- September 4 in Daegu, South Korea, according to U.S. Track & Field.