University of Minnesota Athletics
Busch Finds Leadership Role
11/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
photo by Breanne Siwicki
The Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center was a sellout on Friday, November 13, 2015. The hometown crowd ready to see former Minnesota All-American, now professional swimmer, David Plummer race the 100-meter backstroke finals for the Arena Pro Swim Series. Before Plummer went on to win the race, his swim cap ripped behind the blocks, and unfaltering Golden Gopher Noah Busch rushed over and offered his own cap before the start.
Busch, from Minnetonka, Minnesota, was quickly tabbed a leader in the pool by the freshmen sprinters at the beginning of the season.
"[Noah] has been really supportive of my training," rookie Hunter Doerr said. "We did a standup set against each other, and there's no one better to be next to."
Busch feels it his competitive nature that drives him. He notes calling his teammates out in practice, getting them to work with him and race against him during sets as a huge driver.
"I've grown up a lot from my freshman year," Busch said. "I want to be able to guide them in any way I can."
Assistant coach Gideon Louw, who works a lot with the male sprinters, has taken notice.
"He's a very thoughtful swimmer," Louw said. "He approaches each practice with a plan in mind and communicates that to his teammates. I see him motivating them when they need it."
Voted "Hardest Worker" by his teammates last spring, Busch leads by example. This summer in Minneapolis, Busch grabbed a qualifying time in the 100-meter freestyle for the upcoming Olympic Trials. Busch mentioned how cool it has been to receive so much support from his home state.
Outside of the pool, the junior is big on nutrition and recovery. He notes spending time researching ways he can better his body. His focus has moved him to being a feature on Minnesota's sprint freestyle relays.
"There's a lot I want for Noah this year," Louw said. "He's going to contribute as a leader, and in his performances."
While Busch's freshman and sophomore seasons have ended at the annual Minnesota Challenge, Louw has plans for Busch to help the Gophers place in their relays near the top at the Big Ten Championships and qualify them for the 2016 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Come February, Noah is going to motivate us and be one of the driving factors to what we need to do," Louw stated. "It's going to be fun -watching him swim fast."
Written by Maddy Olson, athletic communications student intern
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