NSU track coach has his ‘season to remember’

Nicholls head track and field coach Scott Williamson recently completed one of the best seasons he has experienced since taking over the job four years ago.

Besides coaching athletes who shattered school and personal records all season long, he coached a conference champion in the javelin – junior Leslie Bourgeois – who took part in the NCAA Championships for the first time in history, and had a true freshman – Danielle ‘Dani’ Daigle – qualify at the USA Championships in Eugene, Ore. last month.

It’s been one of those “seasons to remember” for Bourgeois, Daigle and Williamson himself, but it’s one that the coach also hopes to build on.

“It was a great experience,” Williamson said. “Those girls competed in a big time atmosphere. It’s hard to explain. This is the best of the best that America has to offer. It was a packed house with very knowledgeable fans. They represented Nicholls very well.”

Entering the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. on June 15, Bourgeois was ranked 26th in the nation and had her mind focused on a bigger prize.

“I’ve gotten a little better for the most part each meet,” she told the Tri-Parish Times before the competition. “All I’m asking for is to have my best performance and possibly make it to the finals.”

Unfortunately, Bourgeois didn’t make the finals, but she did improve her ranking, finishing the day ranked 22nd in the nation.

“The weather was really good for the first flight, then there was raining for the second flight,” Williamson said of the competition. “Out of that second flight, only three out of the 12 girls made it to the finals. There was just a bad situation because of the weather.

“I don’t want to blame it on the weather, but that’s basically what happened and it affected a lot of girls,” he added. “A lot of the girls were slipping, and trying to throw a javelin in the rain is very difficult.”

Bourgeois sat out the 2008 season due to an injury, but bounced back her redshirt junior campaign to go on to her third NCAA Regional in 2009, advancing to her first NCAA Championship this season.

She was named All-SLC First Team in the javelin this season as well.

The Raceland native also finished in the Top Three in every meet that she participated in this season with the exception of the NCAA Regional and Championship. She was also named to the CoSIDA District 6 All-Academic Second Team this season.

Both Bourgeois and Daigle then took off to Eugene together almost two weeks later for the USA Junior Championships and USA Championships.

Being 19 years old, Daigle participated in the USA Junior Championships for athletes 20 and under. Bourgeois took part in the USA Championships for athletes over 20.

In order to qualify for the event, athletes have to throw at least 40.50 meters (132-10) during the season.

Daigle threw 41 meters at the South Alabama Invitational on April 20 to qualify for the event.

Daigle wrapped up her season by finishing in the Top Eight during the qualifying round to advance to the finals at the USA Junior Championships. Her best throw of 40.72m propelled her to the finals.

Bourgeois capped off her 2009 campaign with an 11th place finish. Bourgeois tossed a best of 47.42m to net her 11th place finish.

Williamson said he couldn’t be any more pleased with the way things ran this season.

“I’m very proud of Leslie and Danielle,” the coach said. “They both represented Nicholls to the best of their ability, and I am very excited about next season with both of them ending on such a high note this year.”

With that, however, he also feels both will only get better from the experience, especially Daigle who is still young.

“Dani has a lot of potential,” he said. “I think she got a taste of that high level. I think this is something that she wants to continue to do to continue to compete at that level. I think that is kind of the driving force behind it. With some hard work and a little bit of dedication she can get to that level.

“It was a good experience and they competed very well,” he added, “a really good representation for Nicholls State University and the area.”