Former Tigers runner breaks 28-year old ULL record

Former Hahnville track star Beau Robinson has entered the record book at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Robinson recorded the fastest time in school history in the men’s 10,000 meter run at the annual Louisiana Classics meet at ULL. The record had stood for 28 years.

Robinson’s time of 30:56.75 broke the previous school record of 31:03.40 that was set in 1988 by Leonard O’Regan. Robinson clocked his fastest times of the 25-lap race on his final two laps (1:11.41 on Lap 24; 1:06.25 on Lap 25) to easily outdistance the field.

“I had in my head that I could do it,” Robinson said. “My home track was a great place to go for it. All of my teammates were there to pull for me … it was really exciting. It was surprising to do it on my first try, for sure.”

Amazingly, it was the first 10K Robinson had run for the Cajuns. He began the year focusing on the 3K and 5K steeplechase events, but soon asked his coach if he might shift gears and try the 10K.

“I knew with my long running experience and my training I’d have some positives in my favor,” he said. “I just felt I could hold a faster pace for longer than others. There are a lot of others who have faster foot speed than I do (over shorter distances). The steeplechase lends itself to a lot of longer, taller people, and I never felt completely comfortable making the necessary jumps (in the steeplechase).

“I felt like this would fit my skill set in a better way, that the 10K was more my speed.”

Robinson, a sophomore, already had posted some high honors during his freshman season. He was named to the All-Louisiana team in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Last season was his first ever competing in the steeplechase.

He was also named to the All-Louisiana Cross Country team, where his experience in 8K and 10K races gave him a leg up for his shift in focus this track season.

He doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels. After breaking a nearly 30-year old record in his first try, Robinson believes he can and will break that mark again — and then some — in the future.

“I think I can cut 20 or 30 seconds off that time,” Robinson said. “I’d like to get into a bigger race and try. It’s pretty exciting.”