It was a weekend of remarkable achievements for Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith, a high school senior at Montverde Academy, as she showcased her exceptional talent and athleticism at the New Balance Indoor National Championships for track and field from March 8-10, in Boston, Mass.
On Friday, March 8, Smith played a pivotal role in helping her Montverde Academy 4x200m relay team qualify for the finals. The team secured a victory in their heat with the fastest qualifying time of 1:36.21, setting the stage for an exhilarating weekend of competition.
The momentum continued on Saturday, March 9, as she excelled in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles, finishing 1st and qualifying for the semi-finals with an impressive time of 7.78. In the semi-final, she narrowly missed her V.I. National U20 record, clocking in at 6.67. (New Balance Nationals Indoor — 60m hurdles prelims – Michelle Smith) Her indomitable spirit propelled her to further success as she dominated the semi-final of the 400m, securing 1st place and setting a new V.I. National U20 record of 54.22. This extraordinary feat was followed by an even more remarkable performance on Sunday in the final of the 400m, where she shattered her own V.I. National U20 record, achieving a phenomenal time of 53.55. (New Balance Nationals Indoor – Girls Championships 400m Prelims – Michelle Smith)
Smith’s time of 53.55 qualified her for the World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held on Aug. 27-31, in Lima, Peru.
Smith’s stellar weekend reached its pinnacle as she contributed to the record-breaking 4x400m team from Montverde. The team not only clinched the national championship but also etched their names in history by setting a new meet record with an outstanding time of 3:38.18. Smith’s individual split was an astounding 52.9, further solidifying her reputation as a rising star in the world of track and field. (New Balance Nationals Indoor – Girls Championships 4*400m Relay Final – MVA)
The New Balance Indoor National Championships completed Smith’s successful indoor high school career.
Looking ahead, Michelle Smith is set to compete in the 18th Spring Break Classic, WACT Challenger, in Carolina, PR, on Mar. 15-16. This event holds significant importance as it is a qualifying opportunity for the Olympic Games, scheduled to be held in Paris, France, later this year.
Sofia Swindell, Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member New Balance Nationals Indoor, a junior at The Lawrenceville School, competed in the New Balance Indoor National Championships for track and field in Boston, Mass, from March 8 – 10.
On Friday, March 8, Swindell and her team achieved a remarkable feat by finishing 3rd in their heat with a new school record of 4:09.25 in the Sprint Medley relay, surpassing the old record by over 6 seconds. Swindell’s impressive 400m leg, which she ran in 56.23, contributed significantly to this achievement.
On Saturday, March 9, in the prelims of the 60m hurdles, Swindell displayed her prowess by finishing 2nd in her heat with a time of 8.81, narrowly missing qualification for the semi-final by a mere five-thousandths of a second. (New Balance Nationals Indoor – 60m Hurdles Prelims – Sofia Swindell)
Her exceptional performance continued as she won her heat in a personal best time of 24.39, securing her place in the final. In the final the next day, she further showcased her talent by running a personal best of 23.97, narrowly missing the VI National U20 record of 23.93 held by Alison Peter. https://youtu.be/W9KJql3ouMw
Her time of 23.97 qualified her for the World Athletics U20 Championships that will be held on Aug. 27-31, in Lima, Peru.
On the final day of competition, Swindell’s participation in the 4x400m relay culminated in a commendable finish, with her team securing 5th place in their heat with a time of 4:09.34.
The New Balance Indoor National Championships is Swindell’s last race for her successful Indoor season.
The New Balance Indoor National Championships marked the culmination of her successful indoor season, highlighting her exceptional dedication, skill and commitment to the sport of track and field.
