From left to right, Malique Smith and Michelle Smith. By. The Virgin Islands Track and Field Team.
Since the beginning of the year, Virgin Islands athletes have been dominating tracks on the mainland, according to results collated by the VI Track and Field Federation.
Malique Smith, a member of the VITFF, continued his indoor season in Gainesville, Florida by winning the 500m race and setting a new facility record of 1:03.39 at the Alachua County Collegiate Invitational on January 27. Earlier this month, the 25-year-old opened the season with a first place in the 600m at the 2023 RADD Sports Invitational, setting a new facility record of 1:19:77 in the process.
Fellow VITFF member Michelle Smith, also competed in Alachua over the weekend, leading her 200m heat at the Legends of Alachua County Meet with a time of 24.92, a personal record. In the final, she placed 2nd with a new personal best of 24.54.
The Montverde Academy Junior set and beat personal records in the 60m event as well. Smith won her heat with 8.92 and outperformed herself in the final with 8.86, a silver medal performance. Earlier, Michelle also placed 1st in the 400m in 55.38 at the RADD Sunshine Showcase in Gainesville on January 21 and 22. She returns to Gainesville this week to compete in the Florida /Georgia HS & Youth Challenge.
During halftime at the Monteverde basketball game on Thursday January 26, Michelle was honored with a championship ring for winning 1st place in the 300m Hurdles of the Florida State Championship 2022 Outdoor Season. She is currently ranked No.7 among all high school athletes in the U.S. and World No.1 for the Under 18 age group.
Also notching commendable performances recently was Mikaela Smith, who attends the Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee and recorded a personal best time of 1:33.70 in th 600m event On January 13 at the Commodore Challenge in Nashville.
