Maria Michta-Coffey

“I would tell my younger self don't stop believing, don't stop striving, don't stop paving your own path! I won't tell you the details, I won't tell you the direction life will take you, but I will tell you that if you keep believing in yourself and enjoying the opportunities along the way you will feel immense joy, satisfaction and so much more! As for the exact what and how, don't worry you'll figure it out as you go, you always find a way even if it takes a few tries, even if it's unconventional. In the end I can tell you it'll all be worth it!”

HOMETOWN:
Lake Grove, New York

EVENTS:
Race walk, World Championships distances 35k and 20k

RACE HIGHLIGHTS:
• 2012 Olympic Games - Olympic Debut, HUGE PR, entire family there to cheer!
• Olympic Trials 2012 - earning my first Olympic birth in a race the took over 90min decided by 3.5 seconds and coming back from a major injury
• 2022 World Championships - felt like my old racing self after having a baby and return to normalcy post pandemic, huge PR in 35k, top 25 World finish, husband, mom an d daughter all there to watch live!
• 2014 World Cup Trials, finished first American, broke my first American Record in the 20k
• 2005 U 20 Pan Am Cup, 2nd place, first major international medal, secured the race in the last 500m, huge PR and bettered my own American Record

FAVE OISELLE FLYSTYLE:
Pockito 4” Shorts, Open Lane Bra, Vigor Vest

FUN FACT:
I have four degrees (2x BS, 1x Ph.D. and 1x MS) and despite being valedictorian x2 have never gotten to walk at my graduation whether HS or beyond!

    FOLLOW ON IG:
    @michtacoffey