Michelle Smith Opens Outdoor Season With NCAA-Leading 400m Hurdles Victory

Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith, a freshman at the University of Georgia, opened her outdoor season with a dominant victory in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Black and Gold Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

Competing at the UCF Track & Field/Soccer Complex, Smith clocked 55.98 seconds to secure first place, the fastest time in the NCAA this season and the fourth-best mark in the world as of March 21, according to the press release.

Smith, 18, competing for the Georgia Bulldogs, displayed impressive strength and endurance, finishing well ahead of Jamaica’s Jody-Ann Dixon of Clemson University, who placed second in 59.25 seconds, and Emmi Scales of the University of Kentucky, who took third in 59.64 seconds. The time also ranks Smith first in the world among Under-20 athletes and third on the University of Georgia’s all-time list, the press release stated.

She is set to represent the Virgin Islands at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago from April 18-22, the release stated.