TOWSON, Md. – Four Mercyhurst College student-athletes have been named to the CoSIDA / ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, CoSIDA officials announced Thursday morning.

Junior Vicki Bendus (women's hockey) and senior Matt Fennell (men's hockey) were selected to the District II University Division First Team, while seniors Kyle King (men's tennis) and Tyler Bidwell (men's golf) garnered spots on the District II College Division First Team.

The Academic All-District team honors student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and on the athletic field. In order to be considered for the honor, student-athletes must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher and be in at least their sophomore year of college. Additionally, student-athletes who earn a spot on the first team are eligible for CoSIDA / ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors.

Bendus, a forward from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, ended the winter trimester with a 3.93 grade point average in pursuit of a degree in biology / pre-medicine. This past season she led the women's hockey team to a 30-3-3 record and a spot in the NCAA Women's Frozen Four. The 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner and AHCA / RBK First Team All-American accumulated 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points to lead the Lakers and tie for first nationally in overall points.

Fennell, a defenseman from Melfort, Saskatchewan, recorded a 3.97 GPA at the end of the second term and is set to graduate this weekend with a degree in biology. A two-time Atlantic Hockey Association Scholar Athlete, Fennell scored six goals and added 16 assists for 22 points to rank fifth on the team and first among defensemen.

King, a native of Greenville, Pa. and an English major, posted a perfect 4.0 GPA at the end of February. One of the team's top players, King marked a 19-6 record in singles play and a 14-5 mark in doubles action, helping the Lakers to a runner-up finish at the 2010 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Championship and a spot in the NCAA Atlantic Tournament. He ended the season and his four-year career with an 8-6 doubles victory over Kutztown's duo of Jonathon Goulet and Bobby Zerwick in the first round of NCAAs.

Bidwell, a native of Saegertown, Pa., registered a 3.77 GPA at the end of the winter trimester and is set to graduate with a degree in accounting. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Bidwell carded 73 or lower nine times this season, including a career-best round of 66 Sept. 6, 2009 at the Denison Invitational. He recently concluded his career as a Laker with a 31st place finish at the NCAA Men's Golf Invitational.