The Student News Site of University of New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

Follow Us on Twitter

Female Athlete of the Year-Elinor Purrier: Cross-Country/Track and Field

Purrier1Elinor Purrier continued to prove that she is one of the greatest athletes UNH has witnessed yet. She is in the midst of an amazing career, all with sophomore eligibility status. 

In her indoor season, Purrier ran the fastest mile time of any college runner in the nation with a time of 4 minutes, 29.71 seconds, setting the new school record.  She ran the 1,000-meter race in 2:46.02, which allowed her to once again set another school record of her own in the same season.  Purrier also contributed to the relay teams, and helped set more school records this past indoor season the as part of the Distance Medley Relay team. 

After competing in her third national championship at the end of the indoor season, Purrier placed third in the mile at the NCAA Championships, the best finish by a track athlete in the history of UNH. Purrier, a junior nutrition major, achieved indoor all-academic team honors, was named the Northeast Region track athlete of the year and earned indoor All-American honors after her third-place finish. 

As the outdoor season is now in full swing, Purrier has transitioned smoothly to the outdoor track.  Perhaps her greatest accomplishment so far has come more recently when she qualified for the Olympic trials happening this upcoming July, by completing the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:47.17.  This time is a significant 5.83 seconds faster than the Olympic trails qualifier time and currently the fastest time in the country. 

This event is one of three new school records Purrier has set this spring, with the other two being the 800-meter record of 2:06.63, and her contribution to the Sprint Medley relay team.  In total, Purrier has set seven new school records this academic school year.  With her season now extending well into the summer now due to nationals and her Olympic trials bid. Purrier has time to excel further and does not show signs of slowing down any time soon.   

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The New Hampshire Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *