Lea Bush was a two-time All-America discus thrower. At the NCAA Division III championships she took fifth place in 1986 with a throw of 141’ 3” and placed sixth in 1988 with a throw of 136’ 8”. She won the 1988 NAIA District 2 championship in the discus. In 1986, she earned championships in both the discus and the shot put in the Northwest Conference of Independent College (NCIC). In 1989, Bush set the Willamette record in the discus with a throw of 142’ 3”. Bush also excelled in basketball and was a two-year letterwinner. Her career 3-point percentage (39.1%) and career free throw percentage (77.9%) still rank among the best in school history. Bush received the Jean Williams Award in 1990.