Michelle Smith Shatters Records at New Balance Indoor Nationals, Leading a Historic Run for the Virgin Islands

Michelle Smith, the illustrious sports ambassador from the Virgin Islands and a senior standout at Montverde Academy, has once again captured the spotlight. Her electrifying performances at the New Balance Indoor National Championships, held from March 8th to 10th, have set new standards in track and field, as reported by the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation.

The championships began with Smith propelling her Montverde Academy 4x200m relay team into the spotlight, securing a finals berth with a leading time of 1:36.21. Her prowess continued to shine the following day in the 60m Hurdles preliminary round, where she clocked in at 7.78, effortlessly advancing to the semi-finals. Despite a narrowly missed opportunity to break her own VI National U20 record in the semi-finals with a time of 6.67, Smith’s determination was undeterred. In the 400m semi-final, she not only triumphed but also established a new VI National U20 record of 54.22. She then outdid herself in the final, posting an astounding 53.55, thus earning her spot at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

Smith’s remarkable journey didn’t end there; she was instrumental in setting a new meet record for the Montverde Academy’s 4x400m relay team, clocking a combined time of 3:38.18. Her individual split of 52.9 was pivotal in this record-setting performance.

These achievements mark a fitting conclusion to Smith’s exceptional indoor high school career. Yet, her athletic journey is far from over, as she sets her sights on the 18th Spring Break Classic, a stepping stone to the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Sofia Swindell, another promising athlete from the Virgin Islands and a junior at The Lawrenceville School, also made her mark in Boston. Swindell and her teammates clinched third in the Sprint Medley relay heat, establishing a new school record of 4:09.25, thanks to Swindell’s standout 400m leg completed in 56.23.

While Swindell narrowly missed the semi-finals in the 60m Hurdles, she excelled in the 200m, securing her heat with a personal best of 24.39 and further improving to 23.97 in the final. This performance has also paved her way to the World Athletics U20 Championships, adding to the Virgin Islands’ growing legacy in the sport.