Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation member Sofia Swindell, a freshman scholar-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, made a remarkable entrance into collegiate competition at the Penn Opener, held at the Ott Center in Philadelphia. Representing Penn in both the 60m hurdles and the 4x400m relay, Swindell demonstrated poise, speed, and promise in her first meet at the NCAA level.
Swindell opened her day in the 60m hurdles preliminary round, clocking 8.69 seconds to win her heat and secure automatic qualification for the finals. Rising to the occasion, she shaved off time in the final round, posting a personal best of 8.66 seconds. That performance earned her fifth place overall and etched her name into Penn’s history books, tying for the #9 fastest 60m hurdle time in program history.
Her time also places her within striking distance of the U20 Virgin Islands Indoor 60m Hurdle record of 8.65 seconds, held by fellow VITFF standout Michelle Smith. Swindell’s rapid progression suggests that the national junior record may soon be challenged.
Later in the meet, Swindell showcased her versatility in the 4x400m relay, running the second leg for Penn. Her blistering 55.2-second split was the fastest on her team, propelling the Quakers to a first-place finish and a meet record in the event. The performance underscored her ability to contribute both individually and as a vital relay runner.
Swindell’s debut signals a bright future for the freshman, who balances her academic pursuits with athletic excellence. Her next test will come at the Penn Select Meet on January 10, 2026, again in Philadelphia, where she will look to build on her early success and continue climbing the ranks in Ivy League competition.
Meanwhile, back home in the Virgin Islands, the second developmental meet will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the St. Croix Educational Complex track, beginning at 4:00 pm. Athletes wishing to participate should register with the VITFF to confirm their entry and eligibility. https://vitrackandfield.com/registration/
This event will provide local athletes with another opportunity to showcase their progress and prepare for the upcoming season.
