Lafayette Daily Advertiser, July 8, 2021

After more than eight years, 28-year old Morgann Leleux is proving that the third time is the charm. LeLeux qualified in June for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after not making the U.S. team in 2012 and being an alternate in 2016.

The former Catholic-New Iberia High School University of Louisiana pole vaulter finished second in the pole vault at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

Though the Olympics will be taking place in 2021 due to the postponement, they will continue to be officially branded as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

 LeLeux, a five-time LHSAA state champion, signed with Georgia in 2012 and ended up at UL in 2016. Here are a couple of things to know about the Olympic pole vaulter.

Pole vaulting isn’t her only talent

LeLeux teaches gymnastics at New Heights Gym in New Iberia. Starting off in the sport, she became a level 10 gymnast by the age of 13.

LeLeux’s father Shane said that he got her on the pole vault and decided to focus on the sport when she cleared 10.6.

TOKYO:Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson notches colorful win in 100 meters at Olympic trials

A standout in high school and college

Not only is LeLeux a five-time LSHAA champion, but was named the girls’ track and field honoree for the 2011 Senior Athletes of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association.

She’s also an SEC and Sunbelt champion as well. She holds the pole vault record at UL clearing 14.95.

One of the few

LeLeux joins a shortlist of former UL athletes that have gone to the Olympics. Before her, the last UL athlete to attend was Ndaba Mdhlongwa in 1996.

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Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas.

RAGIN’ CAJUNS ALL-TIME OLYMPIANS (* – alternate)
2020 – Morgann Leleux (United States); Tokyo, Women’s Pole Vault
2016 – * Morgann Leleux (United States); Rio de Janiero, Women’s Pole Vault
1996 – Ndaba Mdhlongwa (Zimbabwe); Atlanta, Men’s Triple Jump
1992 – Hollis Conway (Bronze medalist – United States); Barcelona High Jump
1992 – Twilet Malcolm (Jamaica); Barcelona, Women’s 400-meter relay
1992 – Ndaba Mdhlongwa (Zimbabwe); Barcelona, Men’s Long Jump/Triple Jump
1988 – Hollis Conway (Silver medalist – United States); Seoul, Men’s High Jump
1936 – Dudley Wilkins (United States); Berlin, Men’s Triple Jump
Provided by Matt Sullivan, UL Athletics media.

Click here for the Athletic Network Profile of Dudley Wilkins, 1936 Olympic participant and our first Olympian. It also includes information on him performing in Germany for the Olympics with Hitler being in the stands.