Elle Purrier St. Pierre locks up Olympic spot
MONTGOMERY, Vt. (BVM) — Vermont native Elle Purrier St. Pierre punched her way to the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, earning her spot on the women’s track and field team after a record breaking time during the 1,500-meter race at the Olympic Trials.
Purrier St. Pierre got her first crack in the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. on June 21, setting a blazing time of 3 minutes, 58.03 seconds. The star runner continued her success in the 1,500-meter event from last month, after she ran the sixth-fastest time in American history at 3 minutes, 58.36 seconds during the 2021 USATF Golden Games.
Pack your bags Elle Purrier St. Pierre, YOU'RE GOING TO TOKYO.@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics
📺 NBCSN pic.twitter.com/RfWEl9MMER
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 22, 2021
The Montgomery, Vt., native has come a long way since making headlines in the small town of nearly 1,200 people. The former Falcons star racked up multiple state championships at Richford High School, with her name still littered around the state record books.
Purrier St. Pierre’s decorated career in the sport wouldn’t stop at the collegiate level, becoming one of the most prolific athletes at the University of New Hampshire. The star runner would go on to collect major recognition during her time with the Wildcats and ended her career with a grand total of 11 All–American awards and an NCAA championship.
Her professional career is already off to a hot start with Purrier St. Pierre owning American indoor records in the 2-mile (9:10.28) and 1-mile (4:16.85). With the 1,500-meter win, Purrier St. Pierre now becomes a first-time Olympic runner and will kick off her experience in Tokyo on July 30.
