JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida track and field senior Smilla Kolbe has officially been selected to the German National Team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships from Sept. 13-21 set in Tokyo, Japan.

Kolbe will be representing her home country, Germany, in the women's 800m race, which will take place from Sept. 18-21 with three rounds of events. Earlier this summer, Kolbe secured her first-ever German Athletics Outdoor Championship in the women's 800m race with a time of 2:02.57.

"I am excited to finish this amazing season at the World Championships in Tokyo. So much has happened in these past nine months and the ride has been wild," said Kolbe. "I think I will need some time after to realize how far I have come and how much I experienced this year. I went from one big event to the next one. I am forever grateful for the amazing support system I have here at UNF and all the people I get to work with daily. It has been a true blessing and I am proud of everything we accomplished together. Osprey family forever!"

Kolbe continues her storied senior year after bring the Ospreys an NCAA First Team All-American finish in both indoor and outdoor track and field for the first time in program history. She was also a three-time First Team All-ASUN selection, including the titles for both women's 800m events for indoor and outdoor.

The accolades continued with her being selected as the 2025 ASUN Most Outstanding Women's Outdoor Track Performer of the Year. She continued her honors in the classroom as well with her earning CSC First Team Academic All-America distinction.

"Smilla [Kolbe]'s track season will continue another few weeks. It is amazing to think she started in early January and will end on Oct. 31 at the ASUN Cross Country Championships," Director of Cross Country / Track and Field Jeff Pigg stated. "It is easy to be 'tired' at the end of the season and ready for a vacation, but she has been able to maintain a high level of racing and training."

"We have blended a mix of recovery phases and low intensity work to into her 800-meter specific work to keep her fast and healthy throughout the year. This week, I have seen one of her best workouts of the entire year and she is ready to run well under 2:00 today," continued Pigg. "It is a tribute to her dedication and attention to details. When we began the year, our goal was to represent Team Germany in the 2025 World Championships. It has been an amazing journey, and I am so proud of her."

The 2025 World Championships will take place between Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan. The heats will take place for the women's 800m on Thursday, Sept. 18, with the semifinals set for Friday, Sept. 19, and the finals occurring on Sunday, Sept. 21.