Death Valley erupted Saturday night when LSU honored 22 of its alumni who competed at the Olympics during halftime of the football game against Alabama. Among the 22, four athletes were recognized for medaling in their respective sports and events.
The Olympic medalists who were honored were Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, Sha’carri Richardson, Vernon Norwood and Juan Celaya-Hernandez.
Duplantis broke the world record for pole vaulting to claim gold for Sweden this summer. Duplantis’ world record pole vault measured 20 feet 6 inches, equivalent to a two-story building.
Richardson, another former LSU track and field member, was also honored for bringing home some hardware for the United States. She earned gold in the women’s 4×100 relay and silver in the women’s 100-meter dash.
The last of the LSU track and field alumni to medal was Norwood, who represented the U.S. as well. He set an Olympic record when he won gold in the men’s 4×400 relay. He also won silver in the mixed 4×400 relay and set a world record in his heat.
Former LSU diver Celaya-Hernandez represented Mexico and won silver in the men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard event.
The other Olympians who were honored on the field were:
– David Patrick, Men’s Basketball, Australia (LSU Assistant Coach)
– Taryn Kloth, Beach Volleyball, U.S.
– Kristen Nuss, Beach Volleyball, U.S.
– Aleah Finnegan, Gymnastics, Philippines
– Jere Hribar, Swimming, Croatia
– Jovan Lekic, Swimming, Bosnia & Herzegovina
– Sabrina Lyn, Swimming, Jamaica
– Maggie MacNeil, Swimming, Canada
– Lizzie (Cui) Roussel, Diving, New Zealand
– Helle Tuxen, Diving, New Zealand
– Neal Skupski, Tennis, Great Britain
– Thelma Davies, Track and Field, Liberia
– Tima Godbless, Track and Field, Nigeria
– Aleia Hobbs, Track and Field, U.S.
– Shakeem McKay, Track and Field, Trinidad & Tobago
– Favor Ofili, Track and Field, Nigeria
– Godson Oghenebrume, Track and Field, Nigeria
– Ella Onojuvwevwo, Track and Field, Nigeria
LSU honored its Olympic champion alumni during halftime of the Alabama game this weekend
LSU honors Summer 2024 Olympians on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, during halftime show of LSU vs. Alabama football game in Baton Rouge, La.
Why did you join the Reveille?
I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Considering I never shared my writing throughout high school, I’d say the Reveille has aided me well.
What positions have you held at the Reveille?
I was a sports reporter for three semesters. I covered beach volleyball and volleyball.
What’s your favorite thing about working at the Reveille?
Aside from the rewarding feeling of seeing my byline on the Internet and in print, my favorite thing about working at the Reveille hands down is the community. I love my cool writer friends.What’s your favorite story that you’ve written so far?
Everyone will tell you that I’m the biggest Nebraska volleyball fan, so naturally, my favorite story is my comparison between LSU and Nebraska volleyball. A couple of honorable mentions go out to my 2023 SEC volleyball breakdown and the profile I did on former LSU volleyball player Josie Vondran.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I want to work in the Big Ten conference on the women’s volleyball beat (if you couldn’t guess). My ideal situation would involve me generating feature/profile stories that highlight athletes as people beyond their sport.
