USVI Track Star Michelle Smith. By. VIRGIN ISLANDS TRACK & FIELD FEDERATION
Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member Michelle Smith became the #1 ranked in the world in the 600M for under 18 athletes after placing 1st with a time of 1:29.52 in the Millrose Games in New York City on February 11, the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation has announced.
Michelle, a high school junior at Montverde Academy in Florida, also set a new Virgin Islands National Indoor record and the Montverde School record.
Michelle’s time made her the 9th fastest high school girl at that distance in history.
Other USVI track and field athletes delivered exceptional performances in their various meets over the weekend.
Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member Mikaela Smith, competing for Austin Peay State University, competed in the Music City Challenge, in Nashville, Tennessee on Feb. 11. Mikaela finished 3rd in her heat of the 800m setting a new Virgin Islands National Indoor record of 2:12.00, according to the VITFF.
Mikaela will compete next in her Conference Championship, the ASUN Championships on Feb. 24 and 25, 2023 in Lynchburg, VA.
VITFF team member Rachel Conhoff, a senior at Ursinus College, competed in the 2023 BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, on February 10. Rachel competed in the 1 Mile race which had a total of 288 in 19 heats. Rachel placed 14th in her heat and 159 overall with a time of 5:01.80.
Rachel’s next track meet will be February 18th in the Keogh Invite in Haverford, PA.
Nicola Peters, a Junior at the Sparkman High school in Alabama, competed at the Alabama AHSAA State Indoor Meet in Birmingham, AL on February 3 and 4. Nicola placed 7th overall in the 400m with a time of 59.82 just short of her personal record of 59.45, which she ran on January 28, 2023. Nicola ran a personal record in the prelim of the 60m dash in 7.88 and followed that with a 7th place overall finish in the final with a time of 7.91.
Local VITFF updates
According to the federation, 160 St. Croix Interscholastic athletes competed in their third Track and Field meet for Elementary, Middle School, JV and Varsity. Approximately 55 Athletes competed in the Middle School, JV, and Varsity divisions on February 9 in the 1500m and 400m. Additionally, 105 Elementary athletes competed the next day February 3 in the 80m, and 600m for group 1, Under 9 and the 100m, and 800m for group 2 and 3, Under 11 and All Elementary 11 and older.
According to the release, the Interscholastic Track and Field series will continue in St. Croix for middle school and high school on February 9 and for Elementary on February 10, 2023 at the St. Croix Educational Complex Track.
