MONTREAL – The marvelous season for Simone Plourde of Utah cross country and track & field continued Thursday evening as she captured the 1500m crown for the second-consecutive year at La Classique D’Athletisme de Montreal with a PR time of 4:06.86 – which also set the meet record.
“Outstanding lifetime best for Simone in her quest to make the Canadian team for the World Championships later this summer,” head coach Kyle Kepler said after the race. “The pacers did a great job. She took over with 700 meters and ran away from the field. She looked very good the whole way.”
With two pacers running in lockstep to keep the racers on time, Plourde linked herself right behind the both of them from the get-go and was ahead of the pack throughout the race. The Montreal native would then take control once the pacers peeled off and kicked things into high gear she had done in every race down the stretch. This time around would be no different as the distance continued to grow between her and the rest of the pack before crossing the finish line with a meet record setting time of 4:06.86.
“It means so much to race back at home where I started track in front of all my friends and family,” said Plourde postrace. “Conditions were ideal and there was nothing to lose. Gave it my all and it payed off!”
Plourde won the race easily despite not having her uniform and spikes after her luggage was lost upon arrival on Wednesday. The next closest finisher to Plourde crossed at 4:12.82, nearly six seconds after.
Her time of 4:06.86 ranks 22nd all-time by a Canadian and increased her hold on the third-fastest time by any Canadian this year in the 1500m race.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
###
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at University of Utah Athletics…