Lafayette native Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, the world class pole vaulter who just finished his record setting freshmen year at LSU, is leaving school to turn pro.

Duplantis posted a heartfelt message to LSU on social media, announcing his decision to focus on training for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Duplantis is the first LSU track and field athlete to turn pro after one year in college.

With an opportunity to turn pro after he graduated from Lafayette High, Duplantis wanted to experience college, if only for a year.

He competes internationally for Sweden, his mother's homeland.

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