Busler opts for Geneva
BUTLER TWP — Soccer, basketball, volleyball ... Ben Busler tried a lot of sports as he was growing up.
The one that stuck was tennis.
“I just found it the most enjoyable,” the Butler senior said. “This is a sport I can continue playing for the rest of my life.”
He’s playing it pretty well right now.
Busler recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and tennis career at Geneva College. He plans to major in actuarial mathematics. He also considered Grove City before opting to join the Golden Tornadoes.
“I felt comfortable with the team and it’s been a consistent program,” Busler said. “I feel like I can contribute and help them get some wins.”
A four-year letterman in tennis at Butler, Busler played No. 2 singles for the Golden Tornado this past season, helping the team reach the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in eight years. He started during all four of his seasons with the program.
A member of the Butler Junior Tennis program during the summer, he began playing indoor tennis at the Lakeview Athletic Club in Valencia once a week during last winter.
“Ben’s game has really improved over the past year or two and that’s because of his dedication to the sport,” Butler coach Conlan Walsh said. “He’s got a strong serve and her’s always ready for the next play.
“He’s the first player I’ve coached who’s gone on to college tennis and I’m excited for him. He’s going to a school and a program where I think he can make an impact right away.”
Geneva was 7-6 last fall, 4-4 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play. The Golden Tornadoes lost to Saint Vincent in the PAC playoffs. The team had three seniors on its roster.
Mandee Craft has been the Geneva women’s tennis coach for 23 years. She became the men’s coach as well when the college formed a men’s tennis team in 2015. Craft posted a 13-4 record with the men’s team in 2018 and was named PAC Coach of the Year.
“I know there are elements of my game I need to work on,” Busler said. “My backhand has to get better. But I feel like I can play singles or doubles and be successful.
“Geneva has the major I was looking for and I get to continue playing tennis. This was an easy choice for me.”
