Sports
Michta Wins Third Straight National Championship
In a close race, the Sachem alum recorded her fastest time in winning an indoor title.
Maria Michta won her third straight national championship Sunday at the 2012 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque.
Michta, who graduated from Sachem in 2004, led her race from wire-to-wire, but was shadowed for the entire event by Erin Gray of Oregon. She and Gray raced a blazing last lap and Michta won by .04 seconds in one of her most exciting races. Her time of 13:15.31 was her fastest time in winning her third indoor track championship.
Michta told Sachem track coach Alex Young that she set a 200-meter personal record in her last lap.
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"She added that the last time she walked a fast last 200-meter was at the NYS indoor championships in her junior year at Sachem," Young said via emai.
Michta raced her state title lap in 48 seconds. In another Sachem connection, she won three indoor titles and two outdoor championships as a Flaming Arrows competitor as well.
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In a familiar connection, Michta's sister Katie raced a career-best at Saturday's Long Island Track & Field Invitational.
Michta is looking ahead to the U.S. Olympic trials on July 1 and to competing in London this summer.
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