Noblesville’s Bushong brothers share sports passions & successes
By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
If anyone is looking for a good example of the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete in high school, look no further than the Bushong brothers of Noblesville.
Both Noah and Rory Bushong have been solid players for the Millers tennis team over the years, gracing the Noblesville courts during the past few fall sports seasons. But this past spring, they made names for themselves by qualifying for state in their respective spring sports – Noah was a state medalist in track and field, while Rory helped the Millers to an appearance at the state golf meet.
Noah recently graduated from Noblesville High School, while Rory finished his sophomore year and will be a junior at NHS in a couple weeks.
Track and field is the first spring sport to enter the postseason, so Noah started the family story with the track sectional at Carmel in May. It was the first time he had participated in track in a few years.
“I ran track all throughout middle school and freshman year,” said Noah. Spring sports were canceled during Noah’s sophomore year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he chose not to run during his junior year.
Noah had an outstanding senior year in tennis, winning a second consecutive individual sectional title and finishing with a 23-4 record.
“The experience was incredible,” said Noah. “Junior year, I had the same experience. The entire team gets behind you,” even driving all the way to Kokomo for the individual regional – “places that weren’t just down the road,” said Noah.
“It was incredible to watch,” said Rory, who warmed Noah up before the regional match. “It was just so cool to warm up for my brother right before he played.”
But once his senior tennis season was finished, Noah decided he was ready to get back on the track. “After my senior season was over, I didn’t want the feeling to end,” he said. So, it was back to running.
“All the guys immediately took me in as part of their team,” said Noah. “I got to reconnect with Luke Shinneman, one of my really good friends.”
Noah was a medalist as part of Noblesville’s 4×800 relay at the IHSAA state track and field meet (above), while Rory helped the
Millers to an appearance at the state golf meet (below). (Photos by Kent Graham)
Noah’s season went well, and he was one of the runners on the Millers’ 4×800 relay team entering the sectional. He joined Alec Moor, Ronnie Neal and Jack Strong in placing fourth at the sectional, advancing the team to the Lafayette Jefferson regional.
The regional started on Thursday, May 27, and had to be finished two days later due to storms. But Noah and the Noblesville 4×8 team beat the rain, and the old Millers school record. Noah joined Moor, Shinneman and Strong finished third in a time of 7 minutes, 51.70 seconds, automatically qualifying for state and setting a new Noblesville mark.
“We had an incredible regional where we ended up breaking the school record,” said Noah. “We just had one of those days where we all just left it on the floor.”
Noblesville’s regional foursome went to Indiana University on June 4 to compete in the IHSAA state finals. The Millers earned a state medal by placing ninth in a time of 7:55.19.
“It was just a really cool experience,” said Noah. He called it a “brotherly bond” as he and his teammates stood with each other on the podium.
“It was honestly a surreal experience,” said Noah. “I just took it all in. The stands are packed, everyone cheering. It was just incredible.”
And of course, Rory was there cheering his older brother on as well. “It was just so cool watching him run,” he said.
ON TO GOLF
Because of how the IHSAA spring postseason schedule works, the track and field tournament finished up right as the golf tournament began. Two days after Noah got his state medal, Rory was with the Millers golf as it won the sectional championship at Harbour Trees.
Rory admitted to being nervous, but had support from his teammates as he finished with an 83, including one birdie. “My entire team was there to help lift me up and carry me on,” he said. “I ended up scoring well.”
Noblesville went on to place second at the Muncie Central regional at The Players Club, which qualified the Millers for state. Noblesville then finished 10th at the state meet, with senior Will Perkins placing fifth and earning an individual medal.
“The last day that we played golf, everybody was playing for ‘Sunshine,’ Will Perkins, it was just to cool to see him with a big smile on his face,” said Rory. “On the last hole, he just gave me a hug. It was a super cool experience.
After playing so well at state, Perkins started getting offers from colleges.
“He was originally going to IU, now he’s going to University of Southern Indiana to play golf,” said Rory.
Noah got to see his brother play during the tournament, and was aware of the unique nature of the success that both of them had over the spring.
“It was really significant,” said Noah. “It was honestly just a high for both of us.”
Both Bushong brothers said they got quite a bit out of being multi-sport student-athletes, and not just because of the success they had in their respective sports.
“It’s taught both of us a lot about hard work and how it plays off,” said Rory.
“It’s helped me with skills outside of athletic life,” said Noah. “The time management.” In addition, both sports also helped him develop friendships, such as those he has formed through tennis and track. In fact, the Bushongs spoke while they were on vacation in Michigan, and one of his runner friends from Hamilton Southeastern was there.
“I think it’s just people skills, how to work well with others,” said Rory. “Even though golf and tennis are individual sports, I think they’re more team sports. If one person has a bad day, like I did at regionals, the rest of the team is there to pick you up.”
CHANGE OF PLANS
Noah was originally going to attend DePauw University to play tennis, but he had to change his plans – in a good way.
“I ended up getting admitted off the waitlist at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania,” said Noah. He starts classes at the prestigious school in Philadelphia in late August. That is a bit away from Noblesville, “but I’m excited to put myself out there and do whatever it takes,” said Noah, who plans to major in economics.
And while he might not be playing on a team at Penn, the university does have club and intramurals for him to join, and he can also volunteer his time using his tennis experience as well.
“They have a program where you can volunteer to help coach up-and-coming children who are trying to get into tennis,” said Noah.
Meanwhile, Rory will enter his junior tennis season at Noblesville. He played doubles for the Millers with now-graduated Sean Vitales, so he will be looking for a new partner when the season beings.
Rory also said he is excited to see the new Noblesville tennis courts, as well as the new team members, as the Millers will have a young team this fall.
“I’m excited to meet them and show them the way of the team,” said Rory.