Schools
Patapsco Senior Wins Courage Award
Santina Busch won award given to female athlete for overcoming personal on-the-field or off-the-field problems.
Three-sport star Santina Busch, a senior at Patapsco, accepted a college scholarship from the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame at the 48th annual Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner held at Martins West.
Busch joined 88 senior football players at the banquet who were also awarded scholarships. Busch, who plays softball, soccer and basketball for the Patriots, won the inaugural Courage Award, given to a female athlete for overcoming personal on-the-field or off-the-field problems.
“I'm a 12-varsity-letter athlete, but I've lost a lot of time due to injuries," said Busch. “I've had three knee injuries, several ankle injuries and two concussions. I got a concussion last softball season in the playoffs when I was tracking down a fly ball and ran into the fence.”
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Additionally, Busch sings in the choir at Patapsco as a part of the Music Magnet program. She is in the National Honor Society, the National Music Society and the National Music Honor Society.
Patriot athletic director Chris McGuinness nominated Busch for the award.
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“When I read that they were going to be awarding a scholarship to a female athlete, Santina's name came to my mind right away,” said McGuinness. “Santina has been on varsity since she got here and really is a well-rounded student athlete.”
Currently, Busch is rehabbing a slightly torn meniscus with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl, the head orthopedic surgeon for the Baltimore Ravens.
Busch's goals for the upcoming spring season included a return to the All-Baltimore County softball team. Originally a catcher, her knee injuries have forced her to move to left field. But her skills with the bat haven't diminished.
“I like to hit for power,” said Busch. “I'm not real picky—if a pitch looks good to me, I'm going to swing at it."
She had planned to attend Ann Arundel Community College to play softball, but has been recently accepted to Goucher.
“Goucher doesn't have softball,” said ever-adaptable Busch, “but I could play basketball for them.”
