By Sanchali Singh
(MONTGOMERY, Vt.) Montgomery resident Elle Purrier St. Pierre raced to victory in the women’s 1,500-meter race at the U.S. track and field trials Monday night in Eugene, Oregon, and secured her spot for this summer’s Olympic Games.
The Burlington Free Press reported that the 26-year-old grew her track career in Vermont, starring at Richford High School before going to school at the University of New Hampshire.
In Monday night’s trial, Purrier St. Pierre set a meet record and a personal best after finishing in 3 minutes, 58.3 seconds.
The Vermont Olympian will be traveling to Tokyo along with Cory McGee (4:00.67) and Heather MacLean (4:02.09), Purrier St. Pierre's New Balance teammates, who secured second and third for the national team’s other two spots.
"I just wanted to get out there, make it honest, make it fast. I’m so …. excited,” said Purrier St. Pierre, dropping an expletive on NBC's live broadcast when interviewed post-race by Lewis Johnson.
Purrier St. Pierre almost fumbled her race after she was pushed off track as the field's 13 runners rushed for position. She nearly lost her balance, but regained her composure and took control of the field, pulling ahead in the last 150 meters.
“In the moment, I didn't really know what happened. I couldn’t believe I’d just been shoved off the track,” Purrier St. Pierre said in an interview with The Register Guard. “After that I thought, 'Screw it, I’m just going to go for it.'”
On Monday night, Purrier St. Pierre beat Mary Slaney's trials record time in 1988 of 3:58.92.
“It's really surreal,” said Purrier St. Pierre, who ran in 100-plus degree heat. “It still hasn't set in. I've been dreaming of this moment for so long, and it's really emotional. I'm so happy. I'm happy my family is here to share this with me and my teammates.”