Former Colonel javelin thrower Leslie Bourgeois enters her first season as a member of the Nicholls State University track and cross-country coaching staff.

The Raceland, La. native is doing an impressive job juggling her position as a graduate assistant to the Colonel track team while she finishes up her master’s degree in higher education administration.

Though she’s extremely busy, Bourgeois is enjoying her time as a coach. “It’s definitely a learning experience,” Bourgeois said. “It’s been really good though, I enjoy it and I really like working with Coach Scott (Williamson).”

As much as she enjoys the coaching aspect of sports, Bourgeois is not quite finished with her own athletic career. This summer, Bourgeois hopes to train hard to prepare for the Olympic trials later this year. In the past, Bourgeois made it to the USA National meet and did well, but she has never competed in the trials during an Olympic year.

Since her freshman year at Nicholls, Bourgeois’ goal was to make it to Nationals, and she did that, twice. Last June, Bourgeois finished just 1.5 feet short of becoming the first track and field All-American in school history when she finished 13th at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship finals.

Her 2010 appearance at the NCAA finals came on the heels of a 22nd place finish at the 2009 NCAA Championships, making her the only Nicholls student athlete to compete in consecutive national championship finals.

“I’ve never had an experience like that competing at that level against professional athletes,” Bourgeois said.

During her four year stint as a Colonel, Bourgeois was the only student athlete in Nicholls history to compete for consecutive national championships. Her other athletic achievements include earning three Southland Conference championships and qualifying for four NCAA postseason regional meets.

Bourgeois’ successful javelin career began as a fluke. As a high school senior, her track coach asked her to throw the javelin, and she agreed to try it.

But it wasn’t her throwing abilities that brought her to Nicholls. Head softball coach Jenny Parsons recruited Bourgeois to play infield for the Colonels. During her freshman year, Bourgeois asked Colonel track coach Scott Williamson if she could throw the javelin as well and became a duel sport athlete.

After her freshman season at Nicholls, Bourgeois decided to focus strictly on javelin and her grades and left the Colonel softball team. During her time as a Colonel, Bourgeois was also a part of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee for Nicholls.

Now, as she prepares to graduate with her master’s degree in higher education administration this May, Bourgeois hopes to pursue either coaching or a job in compliance. “I think that’s really important,” Bourgeois said. “Coming through the system and seeing how important compliance is for student athletes, I would like to be a part of that in some way.”

Regardless of her career choice, Bourgeois is sure she wants a future in athletics one way or the other. “It’s always been a passion of mine.”