Purrier, Gourley produce personal-best efforts; Korir, Tobe set meet records in Lignano Sabbiadoro

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Elinor Purrier made quite an impact Wednesday in her first international race in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy.

Purrier, an NCAA Division 1 Indoor champion at New Hampshire now competing professionally for New Balance Boston, ran a personal-best 4 minutes, 7.79 seconds to win the women’s 1,500 meters at the 29th Meeting Internazionale di Atletica Leggera Sport Solidarieta.

Purrier prevailed against fellow Americans Alexa Efraimson (4:08.39), Danielle Aragon (4:09.03) and Megan Mansy (4:09.81).

Former Virginia Tech standout Neil Gourley, who anchored the Hokies to a national title in the distance medley relay at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor finals, also secured his first professional victory, following a third-place finish at the British Championships by running a personal-best 3:36.54 in the men’s 1,500, with Australia’s Jordan Williamsz taking second (3:36.62) and American Eric Avila finishing third (3:36.95).

Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir, a former NCAA 800 champion at UTEP, set the 400 meet record by clocking 44.52, eclipsing the 1997 mark of 44.84 by American Milton Campbell.

Japan’s Naoto Tobe also broke a meet record in the men’s high jump, clearing 7-7.25 (2.32m) to surpass the 1991 mark of 7-6 (2.29m) set by Troy Kemp of the Bahamas.

American Sam Mattis prevailed in the men’s discus throw with a first-round effort of 203-5 (62.01m), holding off U.S. national champion Reggie Jagers, whose fourth-round throw of 203-0 (61.88m) came up just short.

Erica Bougard, the U.S. national heptathlon champion, earned a victory in the 100 hurdles in 12.95, with former Arkansas star Taliyah Brooks taking second in 13.21. Brooks also finished second in the long jump with a third-round leap of 21-7.25 (6.58m), with Australia’s Brooke Stratton winning with a fourth-round effort of 21-10.75 (6.67m).

Recently crowned Jamaican men’s 100 national champion Tyquendo Tracey backed up his performance by edging countryman Nesta Carter by a 10.23 to 10.28 margin.

Australia’s Joshua Ralph won the men’s 800 in 1:46.68, holding off Americans Erik Sowinski (1:46.75), Drew Windle (1:46.88) and Chris Giesting (1:46.88).

Auburn All-American Jonielle Smith, who will be competing for Jamaica at the inaugural Athletics World Cup in London, won the women’s 100 in 11.36.

Great Britain’s Alexandra Bell clocked 2:00.13 to secure victory in the women’s 800.

Russia’s Timofey Chalyy, competing as an authorized neutral athlete, posted the fastest men’s 400 hurdles time by winning his section in 49.27.