A native of Rush is getting ready to compete in her first Olympic Games.
Miranda Melville walks a mile faster than many people could run that distance.
"She can walk a six-and-a-half minute mile and she can maintain just under seven minutes under a mile for her 20K. It's amazing how fast she can go and hold it for as long as she can," said Mike DeMay, head track coach at Rush Henrietta High School. DeMay was Miranda's coach when she joined the team as a freshman 12 years ago.
“What I remember is the same characteristics she has today. She’s just determined, and she’s up for any challenge.”
Next week, Miranda represents the U.S. team in the 20-kilometer race walk in Rio.
Her high school coach cried when she missed making the Olympic team four years ago, and he cried tears of joy when she made it this year.
DeMay still keeps in touch with Miranda. She has returned to the school since graduation to work with students and has even given DeMay some tips which he says have made him a better coach.