Michta-Coffey, a 42-time national champion, to compete five months pregnant against Canadian Olympian Seaman and national high school record holder Ewert in USATF Championships 1-mile race walk 

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The last time Maria Michta-Coffey and Taylor Ewert were competing in the race walk at the same venue was in August in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Michta-Coffey, a 42-time national champion, was capturing her first career international gold medal at the senior level, winning the 20-kilometer race at the North American Central American Caribbean Championships.

Ewert, a Beavercreek OH junior, was eclipsing Michta-Coffey’s American U-20 record in the 5-kilometer road race at the USA vs. Canada Junior Race Walk Match, also at Hanlan’s Point on Toronto Island.

Since then, Ewert, 17, has become a cross country All-American with top-four finishes in December at both Nike Cross Nationals and the Foot Locker Nationals, in addition to lowering her own American U-20 record in the indoor 3,000-meter race walk Jan. 18 at The Virginia Showcase.

Michta-Coffey, 32, has also had reason to celebrate, confirming Monday on Twitter that she is five months pregnant, with the 2004 Sachem NY graduate and husband Joe Coffey expecting a girl in June.

The present and future of American women’s race walking will reunite Saturday at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games in the Elaine Ward USATF Championships 1-mile race walk at The Armory in New York City.

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“It’s so special to be part of this community that has grown with me over the years and that’s why you keep showing up. You show up for yourself, you show up because you love it and you show up for the people who have done this with you,” said Michta-Coffey, who is seeking her fifth consecutive victory in the indoor 1-mile event.

“It’s not because I have titles and these times, because medals, they fade away; you put them in a box in the attic, and records, they get broken and Taylor is awesome; it’s because of the people I meet and the friendships.

“It’s something that I love so much and I’ve had success doing it and it’s brought so much joy and meaning to my life.”

Michta-Coffey is scheduled to face Canadian Olympian Rachel Seaman, representing New York Athletic Club, for the first time at the Millrose Games since their memorable 2014 showdown at The Armory. Seaman prevailed in a meet-record 6:17.29, with Michta-Coffey clocking 6:19.0, making her the second-fastest American performer in history behind Debbi Lawrence (6:18.03).

Ewert has placed third the past two years at Millrose, clocking 7:29.54 as a freshman, before breaking the national high school record in last year’s race with a 6:45.68 effort, elevating her to the No. 5 all-time American indoor mile performer.

Ewert is also scheduled to compete five hours later Saturday in the New Balance girls mile, looking to challenge herself against a field highlighted by two-time Nike Cross Nationals champion and high school outdoor mile record holder Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland NY, who was recognized Thursday with her second straight Gatorade National Cross Country Athlete of the Year honor.