ERIE, Pa. — The Mercyhurst University men’s water polo team graduates ten seniors this year including Philip Jenny, Connor Schmitz, Matt Bachler, Alec Diaz, Ryan Mercando, Shaquille Mitchell, Noah Ratliff, Otis Tyson, Jackson Rehmet and Brennan Russell. These ten seniors have played a combined total of 865 games while recording 584 goals and 292 assists for a total of 876 points. They have also picked up 532 steals.
Connor Schmitz finishes his career ranked fourth in All-Time goals as a Laker with 167 goals. During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he was named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Men’s Varsity Division II All-America First Team and as an honorable mention, respectively. Schmitz was named to the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region All-Conference and All-Tournament First Teams both in 2016 and in 2017. Matt Bachler has recorded 107 goals and 77 assists for 184 points, ranking him ninth on the all-time Lakers’ roster in goals, assists and total points. Jenny ends his Laker career seventh all-time in goals (130) and eighth in career points (192). He is also ranked fourth all-time with 157 steals. Utility player Alec Diaz breaks the top ten in steals grabbing 106, ranking ninth all time.
Ryan Mercando leads the Lakers academically and will finish as a four-time member of the ACWPC All-Academic Team on the Outstanding list. Jenny was also named to the ACWPC All-Academic Team, under the Superior list, starting in 2017.
The remaining seniors join us from areas all over the Western Hemisphere. Ratliff, the programs first male athlete from Oregon, brought energy in and out of the pool. He has been a key player helping recruit other athletes from Oregon. Rehmet, as well as Diaz, braved the snow coming from Orlando, Florida. Rehment will return to Orlando to continue his career in hospitality. Reigning from New Jersey, Tyson made the trek to Erie and has positively impacted the morale of the team. Russel reunited with his high school teammate, Bachler here at Mercyhurst. Russel’s hard work and hustle in and out of the water was infectious. The team’s furthest traveler, Mitchell is from Trinidad and Tobago, and he has led the way for three additional athletes from this area. Mitchell’s determination to come back and play his last season was monumental for the Lakers. Overall, this group of seniors contributed to 140 goals, 65 assists, and over 200 career total points.
This season, Jenny and junior Daniel Alvarez were named to the MAWPC All-Conference First Team and the MAWPC-West Region Championship All-Tournament First-Team collectively.
Key returners for the Lakers include juniors Alex Cappuccio and Ryan Witoslawski, plus freshmen goalie Nash Greeven. Witoslawski finishes his third season with the Lakers holding 83 career goals and 109 career points. Cappuccio returns for his final season with the Lakers with 69 career goals, 93 career assists and 78 total steals. Greeven made 184 saves in 25 games for the Mercyhurst. He also led the team with 56 steals and had one goal and nine assists on the season. Greeven was named the MAWPC Rookie and Co-Defensive Player of the Week once this season.
Release courtesy Mercyhurst University Athletics Communications
