The LSU athletic community is in mourning this week after the tragic death of a track and field student-athlete.
Freshman pole vaulter Dillon Reidenauer was killed in a traffic accident on Wednesday night. She was 18.
“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Dillon Reidenauer, who was taken from us much too soon,” LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver said. “Everyone in our LSU Track & Field family is keeping Dillon’s loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the other individual lost in the incident.
“We will do everything we can to make sure our student-athletes and staff have the resources they need to process the grief of this terrible loss. I would also like to thank Texas A&M for offering their support and compassion as we are on the road at College Station for the SEC Championships.”
Reidenauer was a native of Abita Springs. She was a dominant vaulter at Fontainebleau High School, finishing second in the state meet last year for Class 5A.
“LSU Athletics is heartbroken to share the tragic news of the passing of freshman track and field student-athlete Dillon Reidenauer in a traffic incident Wednesday evening in Baton Rouge,” the LSU Athletic Department released in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dillon’s family, friends and teammates, as well as with those impacted by the loss of another individual who died as a result of the incident. We are providing resources and support to all of our student-athletes and staff directly impacted by this tragic loss.”