Robichaux runs to LSU for track and field

Menard senior Mallory Robichaux loves to run.

After six years as a decorated cross country and track athlete with the Eagles, she signed her letter of intent with LSU Friday to compete in track as a distance runner.

"I'm really excited, but I'm really nervous, because I know the competition is going to be a lot harder in college," Robichaux said. "These girls are all really good runners. I'm excited to get to train with them and I know it's going to be a great opportunity."

A three-time selection as the Outstanding Female Runner on the All-Cenla cross country team and numerous appearances on the All-Cenla track and field team, Robichaux's place in Menard's history — if not all of Central Louisiana — is well documented.

Robichaux helped lead the Eagles to three LHSAA cross country championships — including back-to-back crowns in 2013 and 2014 — and the outdoor track and field championship in 2013.

Individually, she won the indoor 1,600 meters at the LHSAA indoor track and field meet Feb. 21 and is looking to wrap up her prep career with her first title in the state outdoor meet in May.

"She showed up (to Menard) in seventh grade as a dedicated runner and has probably run 10,000 miles in that time," Eagles coach Wally Smith said. "She's been a full-time dancer, but that's never cost her a practice. A lot of times when everybody's done, Mallory gets her work out in, all by herself. I don't have to be there, she just does it and she'll email me her times."

Robichaux joins former Alexandria Senior High long jumper Will Coppage as track athletes that signed their letter of intent with the school. While she joins that rare air, she will get to reunite with a pair of her former teammates who walked on with LSU.

Like Robichaux, freshmen Hannah Deworth and Mallory Bartow are also distance runners and Robichaux feels like having both athletes around will create a smooth transition.

"That makes me feel really comfortable," Robichaux said. "I loved running with those girls. Mallory is one of my best friends and I'm so excited to get to run with her again. We used to train with each other and it's going to feel like old times again."

Robichaux was the unquestioned leader for the Eagles and was well respected by her peers and her coach.

"The thing that makes my life easier is the leadership, both by example and by coaching the others to get after their own workouts," Smith said. "When they do a six- or eight-mile run, I only see about 2 percent of that run. But when I have someone like Mallory out there, I know that it's all going to come together right."

Off of the track, Robichaux was drawn to LSU because of academics and felt like the school fell in line with her religious beliefs with its Catholic program. She also plans to major in biological studies and to go into medical school after graduation.

"I picked LSU because they have a great academic program and a great Catholic program," Robichaux said. "Their running program, though, is above and beyond."

Robichaux and Menard will look to claim the LHSAA outdoor track and field titles May 8 at Bennie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge.