ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTS 7 MEMBERS Five Laker athletes, one sports team, and one of Hurst Athletics’ longest supporters were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame during Reunion Weekend, held June 10-12. Awardees was chosen for their athletic success and dedication to their sport during their time at Mercyhurst and their continuing careers. By Kristian Biega
Members of the 2008-2009 Women’s Hockey Team returned to Mercyhurst to accept the team’s induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame. From left are President Kathleen Getz, Johanna Malmstrom ’10, Melissa Lacroix ’11, Cassea Schols ’11, Kelley Steadman ’12, Hillary Pattenden Risi ’12, Vicki Bendus ’11, Anna Johnson ’12, and Head Coach Mike Sisti.
David Lough ’08 Baseball and Football, 2004-08
During his four-year career on the Laker baseball team, Lough hit .383 with 41 doubles, 10 triples, and 16 home runs. On the football field, he recorded 16 catches for 223 yards. A two-time all-conference baseball player and All-American honoree in his junior season, Lough was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the amateur draft in 2008. He then spent five years in the major leagues, finishing his MLB career with 342 games played and 13 home runs on a .254 batting average. Mike Folga ’76 Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager After coaching at Penn State Behrend, Folga spent 16 years as head athletic trainer and equipment manager for professional sports teams in the Midwest and Appalachian leagues. He worked as head medical trainer for the St. Louis Blues for five years, and then became head equipment manager for the New York Rangers. Folga began his career at Mercyhurst in 2000, working with the Laker hockey programs until he The women’s hockey team held a 31-6-0 record and a 16-0-0 record in conference play after the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference Championship. The Lakers competed in the NCAA Frozen Four, NCAA Tournament, and the women’s hockey National Championship. The team boasts three of the top five goal scorers, six of the top 11 goals, and six of the top 10 assists in the CHA. The Lakers were the best team in the CHA in scoring, averaging 4.76 goals per game and allowing 1.89. passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. 2008-2009 Women’s Hockey Team
Vicki Bendus ’11 Women’s Hockey, 2007-11
Bendus’ talents on the ice rank among the top 10 in Mercyhurst history with 121 assists, 190 points, 21 power-play goals, 69 goals, and 12 game-winning goals. From 2010 to 2013, she won four gold medals as a member of the Canadian Women’s National Team. Bendus was drafted fourth overall in the 2011 CWHL draft to the Brampton Thunder. Gregory Bensman ’12 Men’s Lacrosse, 2008-12 Bensman was named three-time All East Coast Conference Team member, two-time USILA First Team All-American, two-time USILA Long- Stick Midfielder of the Year and was 2011 and 2012 Mercyhurst team captain. He earned the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award for USILA Division II’s Most Outstanding Player and played for the 2012 Capital One Academic All-American Third Team. In his four years as a Laker, he collected 136 ground balls, eight assists, eight goals, and caused 73 turnovers. Rachel Griepsma Biddle ’11 ’12M Women’s Water Polo and Women’s Soccer, 2008-12 Biddle was a four-time member of the CWPA All-Western Division First Team, 2008 CWPA Western Division Rookie of the Year and was twice named an ACWPC First Team All-American for water polo. In the pool, she ranks first in Mercyhurst history with 246 career goals and 53 career assists. Biddle also started three seasons in net for the women’s soccer team; her 16 shutouts, 223 saves, and 22 wins all rank in Mercyhurst’s top five.
Charlie Wertz ’90 Football, 1986-90
Charlie Wertz is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in Mercyhurst history. During his four years on the field, he played center for the Lakers, taking on the role of captain of the offensive line. He was a First Team All-American offensive lineman and in 1988 was named an All- District player and named to two All-American teams. Wertz joined the Mercyhurst coaching staff as a student assistant coach and continued to be a mentor for younger players while working with the interior linemen after graduation.
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