Brookville, N.Y. - When the 2016 Summer Olympics begin in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5, former LIU Post cross country standout Maria Michta will be among those wearing red, white, and blue in the Parade of Nations.
Michta secured her place in Rio on Thursday, Jun. 30, when she won the U.S. 20-kilometer race walking trial in Salem, Ore. She crossed the finish line in 1:34.11, completing the 12.4-mile course well within the Olympic qualifying standard of 1:36.00.
It will be Michta's second time representing the United States in the Olympics, as she finished 29th in London in 2012.
Michta, the valedictorian of the LIU Post Class of 2008, has represented the U.S. on four continents and in 11 countries over the course of her career, all while earning her Ph.D. in Biomedical Science with a research emphasis in Virology.
Michta was one of two LIU Post valedictorians competing in Salem. She was joined by fellow alumnus and 1999 graduate Loretta Schuellein, who finished 10th with a time of 1:50.45.
The Olympic final in the Women's 20k Race Walk is scheduled for the morning of Friday, Aug. 19, with the finish line in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in Rio's West Zone.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
