Michelle Smith is a senior at Montverde Academy and a Virgin Islands sports ambassador. Photo Credit: VIRGIN ISLANDS TRACK AND FIELD FEDERATION
Michelle Smith, a senior at Montverde Academy and a Virgin Islands sports ambassador, made a remarkable impression at the Florida High School Challenge Indoor Track and Field competition on February 3, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida.
Smith clinched first place in the 60m Hurdles, setting both a Virgin Islands National U20 and school record with a time of 8.65. She continued her impressive performance by setting another VI National U20 record in the 400m, finishing third with a time of 54.15, ranking her 8th among U.S. high school athletes, according to the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation.
Earlier, on January 27 and 28, Smith competed in the Legends of Alachua County Meet in Gainesville, Florida, where she set a personal record in the 200m with a time of 24.48, won the 60m hurdles, and finished second in the 400m. Her next competition will be at the Millrose Games in New York on February 10 and 11, 2024.
Other VI Athletes Excel in Indoor Track and Field Season
In addition to Smith's achievements, other members of the Virgin Islands Track and Field Team have also shown commendable performances. Malique Smith started his Indoor Track and Field season at the Celebration Pointe Indoor Classic in Gainesville, FL, securing first in his heat of the 200m and second in the 400m.
Rachel Conhoff, a graduate student at Indiana State University, competed at the Blue-White Classic in Terre Haute, Indiana, finishing first in the mile with a record time of 5:08.02. She is set to compete next at the Marian Indoor Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 9, 2024.
Nicola Peters, a senior at Sparkman High, participated in the AHSAA State Indoor Meet in Birmingham, Alabama, placing 6th in the 60m final and helping her team to a 7th place finish in the 4x200m relay.
Sofia Swindell, a junior at Lawrenceville School, competed in the UC High School Invitational in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, placing 3rd in the 55m and aiding her team to a 2nd place finish in the 4x200m relay, recording the 11th fastest time in New Jersey. She will compete next in the Garden State Invitational in Staten Island, New York, on February 16, 2024.
Osaze DeMund Williams, a junior at the University of New Mexico, competed at the New Mexico Team Open 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, finishing 8th in the 800m with a personal record. He will next participate in the Don Kirby Invitational on February 9 and 10, 2024.
Brandon Pemberton, a freshman at Barton County Community College, competed in the Washburn Rust Buster in Topeka, Kansas, finishing 3rd in his heat in the 60m and 2nd in the 200m. Pemberton is set to compete in the Tyson Invitational on February 10, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Local Track and Field Meets Showcase Emerging Talent
The 2nd SCIAA Track and Field Meet for Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity was held on February 1 and for Elementary on February 2 at the St. Croix Educational Complex Track facility. The event highlighted promising young athletes, with notable performances from Faith Eatmon, Juvante Hurst, Sarah Raglin, Jarl Oversen, Naomi Crawford, Nasir Saldana, and others across various track events.
Similarly, the 2nd Champion Track Club developmental meet in St. Thomas on January 27, showcased the talents of young athletes like Chaya George and Micah Dominique in the U17 category, and Christol Braithwaite in the U20 category.
Advertisements
