A Visit with former WPIAL champion Mt. Lebanon's Gretchen Rush

Background Info: Gretchen Rush-Magers was a three-time WPIAL tennis champion (1978, 1979, 1981) and two-time PIAA champ (1979, 1981). She had an exemplary career as a junior player. She won the USTA Junior Grass Court Championship and the Italian Junior Championship, as well as advancing to the finals of the National Junior Tournament. Rush was named the ITF Junior Amateur Champion of 1983 and 1984. Rush continued her career at Trinity College in Texas, when she amassed a singles record of 117-12 (.906) during Trinity’s NCAA Division I era. She won the NCAA Doubles Championship with Louise Allen in 1983 and was runner-up in 1985 with Lisa Sassano and in 1986 with Ann Hulbert. She was also the NCAA Singles runner-up both years. After graduation from Trinity, Rush had a successful career on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour from 1986-1992. She was a top-20 singles and doubles player during her time on the tour. Rush advanced to the Wimbledon singles quarterfinals in 1986 and 1989 and was a mixed doubles finalist in 1988. She captured four singles and four doubles titles as a pro player. She was a member of the San Antonio Racquets of World TeamTennis in 1991. She has spent the past five years as head coach at Trinity College.

Gretchen Rush's WPIAL championship experience.
I always picture my high school career as a stepping stone. I was very lucky to grow up in the Mt. Lebanon community and play for a program that was well recognized with a well respected coach Charlie Stull. The work ethic in Pittsburgh is unique. I feel very blessed to have played for coach Stull. I won three WPIAL titles. I spent my junior year training in Florida. There was also a strike at Mt. Lebanon that year.

Rush's memories of her pro career
Looking back, I got to play at Wimbledon 20 times and at the U.S. Open 20 times. It's amazing that a little girl from South Hills would get to do that. I was able to reach the highest level of tennis. I'm very proud of what I was able to accomplish.

Rush's biggest highlight, sort of
I got to play Martina Navratilova (considered by many to be the best female player of all time) on center court in the quarterfinals at Wimbeldon in 1989. It was both wonderful and humiliating, as she dominated me. I also got to play in the Olympics in 1984. That was a great experience.

Rush's thoughts on being inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2010.
That was kind of surreal. It gave me a new appreciation for the great athletes that come out of the WPIAL. There were so many differetn sports represented that night. I was honored to represent the sport of womens tennis.