MacLean, Purrier St.Pierre win national titles

New England runners Heather MacLean and Elle Purrier St.Pierre won US titles at last weekend's USATF Indoor National Championships at The Podium facility in Spokane, Washington.  In doing so, the New Balance Boston training partners secured spots on Team USA for the World Athletics Indoor Championships March 18-20 in Zagreb, Serbia.

On Day 1, MacLean earned her first ever USA gold, winning the 1500 by just .04 over Josette Norris and one more hundredth ahead of teammate Purrier St.Pierre.  After that oh-so-close third plce on Saturday, Elle returned to win the 3000 meters on Day 2.  The Vermont native only took the lead at the bell and gained her margin of victory with a closing 200 meter lap of 28.88 to finish in 8:41.53.  

Other USATF New England athletes recorded performances in their finals. In the women's 3000, Millie Palladino (New Balance Boston) raced to fifth in a personal best 8:53.41 with Annie Rodenfels (B.A.A.) seventh in 8:54.54.
James Randon (Saucony) finished the distance double with an eighth in Sunday's 1500m in  3:43.48 after placing 15th in Saturday's 3000m (8:09.33).

A pair of Boston-North TC jumpers made the finals with Nate Meade placing fifth in the triple jump (15.88m/52'1.25") and David Gibson eighth in the long jump (7.36m/24'1.75").

In the 800m trials, Sophia Gorriaran (Moses Brown School) was fifth in her heat at 2:03.85 and Brenna Detra (B.A.A.) was fourth in her section in 2:06.97.

Full results link . 

1500m race summary and interview at letsrun.com
3000m race summary and interview at letsrun.com