The U.S. Virgin Islands delivered its most successful Pan American Games performance in history at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games, claiming three medals—including the territory’s first-ever Pan American gold—across two weeks of competition from Aug. 9 to Aug. 23 in Asunción, Paraguay.
Fencer Kruz Schembri captured gold in the men’s individual épée, while track athlete Michelle Smith won silver in the 400-meter hurdles (56.61 seconds) and swimmer Maximillian Wilson added a silver medal with a national record-breaking time of 54.31 seconds in the men’s 100-meter freestyle. The three-medal haul represents a breakthrough for the Caribbean territory of just over 100,000 residents, whose delegation of nine athletes competed across five sports.
Schembri Delivers Historic Gold
Schembri’s victory in the men’s individual épée marked the Virgin Islands’ first gold medal in any Pan American Games competition. The 18-year-old incoming Notre Dame freshman had prepared for the moment through focused training and competition experience.
“Honestly, I was just locked in. I tried not to overthink and just trust all the training I’ve put in. I kept telling myself to stay calm, take it one touch at a time, and fight for every point,” Schembri said of his gold medal match.
The fencer, who competed for the USVI at the 2024 Paris Olympics, entered the Junior Pan-Am Games after winning double gold at the 2025 Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championships in both individual épée and foil events.
“Representing the Virgin Islands and showing that athletes from a small place can achieve big things means everything to me. I hope it inspires more kids back home to chase their dreams in sports or whatever they’re passionate about,” Schembri added.
He began fencing at age 8 after participating in other sports and chess. “People told me fencing was like ‘physical chess,’ so I decided to give it a try—and they were right. I loved the mix of mental strategy and athletic intensity, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Looking ahead, Schembri plans to balance collegiate and international competition. “Right now, I’m training hard and preparing for upcoming international competitions, but I’m also starting a new chapter by fencing at Notre Dame. Mixing it up on the NCAA collegiate level is exciting—I get to represent both my school and the USVI while pushing myself to keep improving.”
Smith Claims Silver in 400m Hurdles
Smith’s silver medal came in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, where she finished second in 56.61 seconds. The 19-year-old University of Georgia student entered the games as one of the world’s top under-20 hurdlers, holding the world’s fastest time in the event for her age group with a USVI record of 54.56 seconds.
The competition’s atmosphere suited Smith’s approach. “There was a lot less pressure than other competitions: not too many eyes, just the teams in the stands,” she said of the Junior Pan-Am environment. “I feel like I do better when I don’t really care about how I’m going to perform. I just run to execute the plan.”
When asked what she was thinking during her silver medal race, Smith recalled, “I started off just thinking ‘Push, push, push. Push off all the hurdles.’ Then at hurdle three, it hit me, like ‘Oh shoot, I’m actually running,’” she laughed.
Smith relished the opportunity to observe other Virgin Islands athletes compete during the games, noting the supportive atmosphere among the delegation.
Following the games, Smith returns to her training routine at Georgia before competing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
Wilson Sets Record, Earns Silver
Wilson’s silver medal in the men’s 100-meter freestyle came with a new USVI national record of 54.31 seconds, improving on his own previous best set at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old Florida State senior also competed in the 50-meter freestyle, where he came within hundredths of a second of breaking another national record that has stood for over 15 years.
Wilson attributed his success to focused preparation. “This summer I did a lot of training in the weight room, which helped my power and strength in the water,” he said.
The experience of competing for the Virgin Islands at the Junior Pan-Am Games held special meaning for Wilson. “It was an incredible feeling and great opportunity to represent my country. I’m proud to be able to compete at this level, being from such a small place.”
Wilson, who holds USVI national records in seven events, used the games to compete across multiple freestyle distances while maintaining his focus on backstroke events as his specialty.
Wilson, like the other medalists, shares the challenge of juggling collegiate and international competition as he looks forward to a senior year of peak performance.
Territory’s Largest Delegation
The nine-athlete delegation represented the Virgin Islands’ largest team at a Junior Pan American Games. Beyond the three medalists, the team included swimmers Kaeden Gleason, Allison “Lu” Joseph, and Riley Miller; sprinter Brandon Pemberton; tennis player Yared Alfred; and triathlete Michael Dizon-Bumann.
“Three medal winners is unreal! My favorite part of it all is looking at the scoreboard and comparing the populations of the other competing nations to ours. It’s one of the reasons I continue saying the VI is full of talent,” said Brigitte Berry, treasurer of the VI Olympic Committee.
Schembri noted the team dynamic during competition. ” Seeing fellow VI athletes out there gave me so much pride and motivation. We’re all part of something bigger, and cheering each other on makes it feel like family.”
Looking Toward 2027
The Junior Pan American Games serve as a development pathway for athletes ages 17-22, with many participants expected to compete at the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
For the Virgin Islands, the three medals represent not only historic achievement but a foundation for continued success in international competition as the territory’s athletic programs continue to develop talent on the world stage.
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