U.S. Olympian, Maria Michta-Coffey is officially the 21st individual to be awarded with the Suffolk County Distinguished Service Medal. The Sachem High School Alumni is the proud owner of six National records, 30 National titles and is a five-time outdoor national champion. However, it’s her academic and community outreach achievements, over and above her Olympic prowess, to earn her this exceptional honor, from Suffolk County.
Maria Michta-Coffey went on from Sachem H.S. to graduate Long Island University C.W. Post in 2008. In 2014, she received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine… all while chasing her Olympic dream. She has worked as an adjunct professor and a tutor, in addition to putting in 50-60 hours a week in a lab to earn a graduate school stipend. Every dollar went to getting to the Olympics, with help from local community groups and businesses.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone hosted an honorary ceremony for Maria, prior to presenting her with the medal on Friday, July 22nd, 2016. Her proud parents Sue and Richard Michta, Husband Joe Coffey, Pete McNeill her Sachem High School Coach and Gary Westerfield Maria’s Race Walk USA trainer and coach all were present to witness the proud moment in history for Michta-Coffey. A crowd of proud school teachers and student-athletes from Sachem School District were also there to celebrate a truly iconic role model.
The Farmingville resident is representing Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio next month. This will be Michta-Coffey’s second time competing at the Olympic Games, where she will compete in the Women’s 20 Kilometer (km) Race Walk even. The Long Island Champion previously competed in the 2012 London Summer Olympics and placed first during U.S Olympic Team Trials in June.
Help Our Olympian Get to Rio
Maria still needs a hand from the Community to get to Rio… You can help pay for her journey through her GoFundMe page or by clicking on her paypal button via MariaMitcha.com. Let’s show Maria how well we take care of our fellow neighbors and get her to Rio!