Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith has been setting records and turning heads ever since she arrived at the University of Georgia. But her performance last weekend at the Pepsi Florida Relays confirmed what many already suspected — she’s no longer just a promising junior; she’s a serious contender on the world stage.

Smith, the SEC Athlete of the Week, clocked 54.56 seconds in the 400m hurdles to smash her own Virgin Islands national record, set a new University of Georgia school record, and move to second on the 2025 world list behind Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who ran 52.76 at the Grand Slam Track Meet in Jamaica the very next day.

While many were focused on the outcome, Smith is more interested in what got her there — and it all comes back to her training under UGA hurdles coach Karim Abdel Wahab.

“The main thing we’ve been doing is repeat 200s every week,” Smith explained. “The recovery gets shorter, the reps get faster, and you have to hold your speed even when you’re tired. It’s tough, but it’s working.”

That work showed up in the space of just a week. After opening her season with a 55.98 — already a strong time — she followed up with a jaw-dropping 54.56 that not only qualified her for this summer’s World Championships in Tokyo, but also catapulted her to the top of the NCAA rankings.

Her time also erased the long-standing Georgia record of 54.93 seconds set by Icelandic Olympian Gudrun Arnadottir back in 1996.

GSmith, who made her name as a junior star at Montverde Academy, was drawn to Georgia by its competitive culture and technical coaching. Now, she’s thriving in an environment that’s pushing her to new limits.

“The coaching staff was a big part of my decision,” she said. “Coach Abdel Wahab is super supportive and really knows what he’s doing. Since I got here, the training has been intense but smart. Everything is targeted toward helping me run my best.”

A major focus has been speed maintenance, especially crucial in the 400m hurdles, where technique must survive under fatigue. Smith says the combination of endurance-focused intervals and race-pace efforts has helped her close stronger and smoother than ever before.

“We’ve also been doing longer runs, but faster,” she added. “It’s all about being able to finish the race without breaking form.”

But it hasn’t been just physical. Smith admits that a key turning point came from changing how she approaches races mentally. In 2023, she found herself distracted during races — checking on competitors instead of focusing on her own rhythm.

“Now, I tell myself while I’m racing: ‘This is their race. This is your race. Do you,’” she said. “That helps me lock in and stay focused on what I’ve trained to do.”

That focus was clear in Gainesville. Running in a stacked invitational field that included two professional athletes and a Miami junior who had previously beaten her, Smith chased Tia-Adana Belle of Barbados through the first seven hurdles before launching a powerful final charge down the home stretch.

It was a mature, measured race — the kind of performance that speaks volumes about where she’s heading.

Even as her global profile grows, Smith is still making time to return to her roots. She’ll compete one final time at the Carifta Games, which will be held this year in Trinidad and Tobago.

“It’s my last Carifta, and it’s a great opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands again,” she said. “I just want to go out there, enjoy it, and leave a mark.”

Since making her debut at the Carifta Games in 2022, Michelle Smith has built a near-perfect record at the Caribbean’s premier junior track and field meet. Her first appearance came in the Under-17 100m hurdles, where she finished a close second — her only loss at the championships to date. The following year, competing in the Under-20 category in Nassau, Bahamas, Smith returned with renewed purpose and swept to double gold in both the 800m and 400m hurdles, announcing herself as a dominant force on the regional stage.

In 2024, she repeated that feat in St. George’s, Grenada, once again claiming gold in the 800m and 400m hurdles, cementing her status as one of the most decorated and versatile athletes ever to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at Carifta. Heading into her final appearance at the Games in Trinidad, Smith remains unbeaten in the 400m hurdles and the 800m — and will be looking to extend that legacy in style.

Her only loss at the Carifta Games came in her debut appearance back in 2022, when she finished second in the 100m hurdles — a distant memory now, given her dominance since.

While she isn’t chasing accolades, winning the Austin Sealy Award would be a nice way to end her Carifta career.

“It would be cool if it happened,” she said, smiling. “But if not, it’s on to the next.”

With her place at the World Championships already secured and her confidence building, Smith isn’t setting limits. She’s taking things one step at a time — but her sights are clearly set on something bigger.

“Yeah, 53s would be awesome,” she admitted. “I’m just trying to get better with each race and stay healthy. That’s the main thing.”

At just 18, Michelle Smith is showing the poise of a veteran, the discipline of a champion, and the hunger of an athlete who knows her time is now.