Michelle Smith, a freshman standout from the U.S. Virgin Islands now competing for the University of Georgia, has earned a coveted spot at the NCAA Track and Field Championships following a stellar performance at the NCAA East Regional Championships.
Smith took control of the women’s 400-meter hurdles event from the outset, delivering a powerful showing in her preliminary heat on Thursday, May 29. She won her heat with a time of 55.85, advancing smoothly to the quarterfinal round. There, she raised the bar even higher, finishing first in her heat with a blistering time of 55.22—securing the second-fastest time overall among all competitors in the event and clinching her place at the national championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Watch Smith's quarterfinal run: 400m Hurdles Quarterfinal
Her advancement comes as part of a broader success story for the University of Georgia’s women’s team, which secured multiple qualifications for the NCAA Championships during the East Regionals.
Smith’s achievement carries special meaning beyond her university’s success. Her journey to the national stage serves as a source of pride for the Virgin Islands, which she continues to represent in collegiate athletics.
The upcoming NCAA Championships will be held in Eugene, Oregon—widely recognized as "TrackTown, USA." There, Smith will compete against the nation’s best as she continues to build her résumé on the road toward her Olympic ambitions.
The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation (VITFF) encourages all local athletes to register with the organization.
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