The Daily OrangeFinally healthy, Bernard Bush prospers as senior jumper
By Ryan Marfurt
Posted: 4/7/09, 1:03 AM EST Section: Opinion
Injuries almost put an end to long jumper Bernard Bush's track career.
As a sophomore in high school, Bush tore his hip flexor after he landed awkwardly on a triple jump attempt. He quit the team shortly after, but was persuaded to rejoin the next year by his head coach.
At Syracuse, Bush struggled through an injury-riddled freshmen year, only to sit out his entire sophomore year after having surgery. As a walk-on, he contemplated his future on the track team. After being convinced by assistant coach Enoch Borozinski, Bush decided he would stay on the team.
"I need to have a strong mental status." Bush said. "I was hurt so many times I felt like giving up on track. I mentioned to my coach a couple times that it was getting too hard at times. Coach Borozinski was always in my corner no matter what though."
Now a senior, Bush has been able to stay healthy, and has been producing ever since. During the indoor season this year Bush had four first place finishes and was the sixth best long jumper at the Big East Indoor Championship. Bush looks to continue his success this Saturday when the team heads to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the UNC Invitational.
"The main thing is being smart about it." Bush said. "If it's not feeling right, not feeling 100 percent, then shut it down. It might hinder your strength and your progression but it's better than falling back three steps from where you were before."
As a sophomore, Bush tore his quad - an injury that held him out for the season. The MRI revealed a benign tumor protruding from his femur that doctors diagnosed as osteochondroma. The surgery forced Bush to go through rehab. After contemplating quitting, he is now back and helping the Orange.
If Bush is able to stay injury free for the rest of the year, he could be able to provide some much needed points for the Orange. Bush is one of the few field athletes on the team that has the ability to make a splash in his respective event, the long jump. He also competes in other events as well.
As a sophomore in high school, Bush tore his hip flexor after he landed awkwardly on a triple jump attempt. He quit the team shortly after, but was persuaded to rejoin the next year by his head coach.
At Syracuse, Bush struggled through an injury-riddled freshmen year, only to sit out his entire sophomore year after having surgery. As a walk-on, he contemplated his future on the track team. After being convinced by assistant coach Enoch Borozinski, Bush decided he would stay on the team.
"I need to have a strong mental status." Bush said. "I was hurt so many times I felt like giving up on track. I mentioned to my coach a couple times that it was getting too hard at times. Coach Borozinski was always in my corner no matter what though."
Now a senior, Bush has been able to stay healthy, and has been producing ever since. During the indoor season this year Bush had four first place finishes and was the sixth best long jumper at the Big East Indoor Championship. Bush looks to continue his success this Saturday when the team heads to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the UNC Invitational.
"The main thing is being smart about it." Bush said. "If it's not feeling right, not feeling 100 percent, then shut it down. It might hinder your strength and your progression but it's better than falling back three steps from where you were before."
As a sophomore, Bush tore his quad - an injury that held him out for the season. The MRI revealed a benign tumor protruding from his femur that doctors diagnosed as osteochondroma. The surgery forced Bush to go through rehab. After contemplating quitting, he is now back and helping the Orange.
If Bush is able to stay injury free for the rest of the year, he could be able to provide some much needed points for the Orange. Bush is one of the few field athletes on the team that has the ability to make a splash in his respective event, the long jump. He also competes in other events as well.
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