Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador and University of Georgia sophomore Michelle Smith delivered another exceptional championship performance at the NCAA Division I East Regional Championships, advancing in both of her events to the NCAA Division I Championships in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled for June 10–13.
Smith, along with fellow Virgin Islands athletes Saraiah Walkes, Sofia Swindell, Mikaela Smith, Malique Smith, and Omar Simpson, continues to elevate the presence of the Virgin Islands on the NCAA and international stage.
Michelle Smith continued her NCAA regional campaign with a commanding performance in the 400m hurdles, clocking 54.71 to secure her place at the NCAA Championships. Her time ranks among the top performances in the nation this season and reflects her continued progression as one of the NCAA’s premier hurdlers.
Later in the session, Smith returned to run the 2nd leg on the University of Georgia 4×400m relay, delivering a powerful 51.19 split to help the Bulldogs post a first‑place overall finish in 3:24.60. Her anchor leg sealed Georgia’s advancement to Eugene with championship‑level momentum.
Two additional Virgin Islands athletes competed at the NCAA East Regional Championship in the 4×400m relay, each contributing strong legs for their respective NCAA Division I programs:
Eastern Michigan senior Saraiah Walkes produced one of the fastest splits of her collegiate career, running 51.37 on her relay leg. EMU finished 7th in their heat with a time of 3:35.05, closing out their regional campaign with a competitive showing.
Freshman Sofia Swindell continued her impressive debut season, splitting 53.71 for the University of Pennsylvania. Penn finished 8th in their heat in 3:34.34, giving Swindell valuable championship‑level experience in her first NCAA Regional appearance.
Michelle Smith, Saraiah Walkes, and Sofia Swindell will travel to St. Croix to compete in the Adrian Durant Virgin Islands National Championships on June 20, at the St. Croix Educational Complex Track & Field Facility.
Their participation brings three NCAA Division I athletes home to compete on Virgin Islands soil, strengthening the depth and visibility of the national program.
Three Virgin Islands athletes—Mikaela Smith, Malique Smith, and Omar Simpson—opened their international competition tour in Canada with strong efforts at the Royal City Inferno WACT Bronze Meet on June 3rd 2026, using the event as key preparation ahead of the Adrian Durant Virgin Islands National Championships later this month.
Mikaela Smith competed in Heat 2 of the women’s 800m, finishing 8th in 2:13.01. The race provided valuable race‑pace sharpening as she continues her buildup toward the national championships and the remainder of her 2026 season.
Veteran hurdler Malique Smith placed 8th in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 54.40. The performance adds another international race to his season as he works toward peak form for the upcoming championship schedule.
Sprinter Omar Simpson delivered a strong showing in Heat 1 of the men’s 200m, finishing 4th with a time of 21.45. Simpson continues to build consistency in his sprint rounds as he prepares for a busy June competition slate.
All three athletes will remain in Canada to compete again on June 7, at the Johnny Loaring Classic WACT Meet in Windsor, Canada. The meet will serve as their final international tune‑up before returning home.
Following their Canadian competitions, Mikaela Smith, Malique Smith, and Omar Simpson will travel back to the Virgin Islands to compete in the Adrian Durant VI National Championships on June 20, at the St. Croix Educational Complex Track & Field Facility.
