Louisiana Proud: LHSAA Alumni Compete for Olympic Honors in Paris
by: Vincent Cacioppo // GeauxPreps.com Managing Editor
As the world prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Louisiana boasts a remarkable lineup of athletes who once roamed the hallways of Louisiana high schools. In Paris, five standout Olympians, each with deep roots in Louisiana, are set to represent the United States on the world’s grandest stage.
Aleia Hobbs – Eleanor McMain High School
Former McMain sprinter Aleia Hobbs is a 10-time state champion with eight individual titles. Hobbs also ran the anchor legs on McMain’s 400 and 800 meter relay teams that won outdoor state titles. As a sophomore and junior, she swept both the outdoor 100 and 200 in Class 3A, after being the state runner-up in the 200 her freshman year. In addition to her outdoor achievements, Hobbs won three indoor titles, and earned a first place title in the 60 meter at the LHSAA Division II championships. She was also the girls’ 55-meter state champion in Division II during her sophomore and junior years. Not just a track star, Hobbs was an all-district guard on McMain’s girls basketball team, averaging 17 points per game as a senior. Now, she is set to showcase her talents on the global stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Vernon Norwood – Morgan City High School
Vernon Norwood, an alumnus of Morgan City High School, continues to shine on the international stage. Specializing in the 400 meters and the 4×400 meter relay, Norwood has garnered multiple international medals. Norwood was a member of the Morgan City High School 4×100-meter team that won the Class 4A state title. He was also a four-year varsity letterman in basketball. Vernon was Morgan City basketball’s most valuable defensive player as a sophomore and served as a team captain during his senior season. His performance in Paris will be closely watched by Morgan City as he aims to add more Olympic hardware to his collection. His journey from Morgan City to the 2024 Paris Olympics serves as an inspiration to student-athletes across Louisiana.
Kristen Nuss – Mount Carmel Academy
Kristen Nuss, a standout alumna of Mount Carmel Academy, excelled in volleyball, basketball, and soccer. A three-sport athlete, she was the LHSAA Division I Most Outstanding Player at the State Tournament and a Gatorade Player of the Year candidate for volleyball. Nuss helped Mount Carmel capture state championships during her freshman, junior, and senior seasons. Throughout her decorated high school career, she earned spots on the All-District and All-Metro teams and received Player of the Week accolades from The Times-Picayune, The Advocate, MaxPreps, and WGSO. Nuss ended her prep career with impressive stats: 102 aces, 54 assists, 1,255 kills, 133 blocks, and 1,831 digs, solidifying her legacy as a Louisiana high school great. Nuss looks to bring home a gold medal in beach volleyball.
Aliaksei Shostak – Lafayette High School
Aliaksei Shostak, a talented trampolinist from Lafayette High School, is set to showcase his skills on the global stage in Paris. Shostak has been a rising star in trampoline gymnastics, known for his precision and complex routines. Competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shostak’s journey from Lafayette to Paris highlights the diverse athletic talent developed in Louisiana.
Mondo Duplantis – Lafayette High School
During his impressive high school career at Lafayette High School, Duplantis became a six-time Louisiana state champion in the pole vault. He first cleared the 18-foot mark at the LHSAA Division I State Championship in 2016 with a jump of 18-0. In 2017, as a junior, he secured his third consecutive LHSAA Division I Indoor title with a record-breaking jump of 18-8 ¼. Earlier in that indoor season, he set the Carl Maddox Field House record with a leap of 18-9 ¼, qualifying for the state meet. That same year, he won his third straight Class 5A outdoor title with a jump of 18-2 ½ at the LHSAA Class 5A Outdoor State Track & Field Championships. Additionally, he narrowly missed adding a Class 5A state title in the long jump, finishing as the silver medalist with a windy jump of 23-5 ¾ (+2.7) at the 2017 state meet. Mondo looks to bring home gold for his home country of Sweden.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be a showcase of the incredible talent that hails from Louisiana. Aleia Hobbs, Vernon Norwood, Kristen Nuss, Aliaksei Shostak, and Mondo Duplantis each represent the spirit, dedication, and excellence that Louisiana instills in its athletes. As they compete on the world stage, they carry with them the pride and support of their home state.