By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
EUGENE, Ore. – It was hardly guaranteed, but there was really only one appropriate way for Maria Bienvenu’s collegiate athletic career to conclude, and it worked out just that way Thursday night at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Bienvenu, a TCU senior who is a Natchitoches native and St. Mary’s graduate, earned her third career All-America honor with a 14th-place finish in the javelin. She recorded a 173-5 mark on the second of her three throws.
“We are so proud of her!” texted her father, Russel Bienvenu. ‘Sad to see it come to an end but it was one heck of a ride!”
It certainly was.
She had no interest in track and field while at St. Mary’s until being persuaded to give throwing the javelin a try in her final weeks of high school, not long after she was an All-State pick who led the Lady Tigers basketball team to a state championship.
Two of her dad’s pals who had deep track and field knowledge, Chris Maggio and Corwyn Aldredge, saw Maria throw a court-length pass in a basketball game and helped inspire her to try throwing the javelin in her last few weeks at SMHS. She advanced to the state meet showing immense potential and accepted a scholarship offer at UL Lafayette.
She was an immediate success, with two All-America seasons (12th at the NCAA meet as a true freshman, 13th as a redshirt sophomore), sandwiched around a reconstructive elbow surgery, as a Ragin’ Cajun.
She transferred to TCU for her junior season and was an honorable mention All-America last June after a 17th place finish at the national meet. The top 16 are All-Americans.
She also qualified for the USA Olympic Trials in July and reached the final round of 12 throwers, becoming the first local woman to compete at the track and field Olympic Trials.
This year has had its physical challenges and competitive frustrations, but Bienvenu peaked at the right time to shine at the conference meet, then sparkle at the West regional and cap her college career in style Thursday night.
