Just walk away Bosche

By Tim Dumas Chronicle Sports Writer

This alignment of stars may never happen again.

SEAN SPERRY/CHRONICLE Brian Bosche (left) and Kegan McCarthy were part of a special day on Saturday at MSU’s tennis courts. The courts at Montana State University on Saturday were filled with the roots of an impressive tennis family tree.

On the near court n which was outlined by dozens of fans who sat on a rock wall to cheer on a rousing comeback n stood Bozeman High’s Brian Bosché and Kegan McCarthy. When the day ended, Bosché had won his fourth state championship, his first with McCarthy, whose sister, Hanah, won three doubles titles earlier this decade.

That’s eight total crowns. Another eight were represented just two courts away, where Missy Harris was winning her fourth, finishing an undefeated career in the process. The Billings Senior senior’s two brothers have four between them, which means the Harrises should be considered Montana’s first family of tennis.

The far court included Bozeman’s Jenni Webster and Elizabeth Davis, who won their first championship. Webster is the daughter of Bill Webster, who is an assistant coach at BHS and past president of the Bozeman Tennis Association.

And one of the middle courts included a pair of singles players who may continue a rivalry for another two years. Bozeman’s Tyler Frost and Missoula Hellgate’s Eric Braun, both sophomores, played a lengthy three-set match, eventually won by Braun.

A year ago, Braun, who grew up playing on the clay courts of Peru, lost to Bosché in the singles championship.

The fact that Bosché won at singles is a testament to his versatility. But while one four-time champ (Missy Harris) is moving on, the other (Bosché) is walking away.

“I’m just playing for fun now,” Bosché said after he and McCarthy upended Billings Skyview’s Brad Knutson and Lucas Hert in three sets. “That’s how I want it to be.”

Bosché should have plenty to keep him busy in the fall when he attends Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. And it’s a safe bet he’ll be successful in any future endeavors.

The Newport Beach, Calif., native is ranked No. 1 in his class (out of 421 students) with an out-of-this-world 4.303 weighted grade point average. He’s taken 12 advance placement courses and is a member of the Nation Honor Society.

He’s also been named to the academic all-state tennis team four times as well as team MVP four times.

Additionally, Bosché’s list of accolades includes membership in the Leo Club and student council, plus he’s served as a Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor, been a volunteer tennis instructor at Riverside Country Club and is the founder of “getRacquets!”, a non-profit corporation with a mission to collect used tennis racquets and distribute them to needy junior players.

There’s also the No. 1 doubles ranking he achieved within the U.S. Tennis Association Junior Tour’s Intermountain Section. And (the list continues) the Dartmouth Endowed Scholarship, which he accepted, and an academic scholarship to Notre Dame, his father’s alma mater, which he turned down.

It’s an impressive resume for a 17-year-old. Yet you won’t hear Brian talk about it.

After he and McCarthy won their doubles crown, Bosché gave all the credit to his partner.

No, Bosché won’t be playing varsity tennis at Dartmouth. That doesn’t mean, however, he won’t be competing. Without having to deal with the rigors of a lengthy college tennis season (remember, the high school season lasts two months, tops), he’ll likely participate in club sports n such as basketball, volleyball, even ping pong.

“As long as it’s not beer pong,” his father, Tom, joked on Monday.

Brian Bosché could have symbolically left his racquet on the court Saturday afternoon n a gesture similar to wrestlers, who leave their shoes on the mat when they decide to retire.

But that’s not Bosché. Calling attention to himself just isn’t in his nature. And neither is competing again at the varsity level.

“I like playing with friends for fun, but nothing competitive,” he said. “I made this decision a while ago.”

Like Justine Henin, who recently retired despite being ranked No. 1 in the world, Bosché is walking away on top n of his game and his class.

Tim Dumas is at tdumas@dailychronicle and 582-2651.

Reader Comments