Bendlage named KHQA Female Athlete of the Year

FORT MADISON - Mary Kate Bendlage added one more award to end her high school career.
The Holy Trinity High School graduate was named the Female Student-Athlete of the Year by Quincy TV station KHQA this week, joining Mikaela Foecke as the only Crusaders to receive the honor.
Bendlage’s record of athletic accomplishments, academic awards and volunteer work in the community made her a “landslide winner in the voting” among 18 finalists, KHQA sports director Chris Duerr said.
Bendlage was an all-state selection in Iowa in two sports this season.
She was a first-team All-State choice in volleyball after helping the Crusaders to a runner-up finish in the Class 1A state tournament. Bendlage was second on the team with 322 kills and 437 digs, and was a 95.6 percent server.
Bendlage, a third-team All-State selection in basketball, ended her career as Holy Trinity’s all-time leading scorer, becoming only the second player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark. Bendlage averaged 20.9 points per game, ranking 15th in the state in all classes and third-best in Class 1A. She also averaged 8.5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2.2 assists per game in helping Holy Trinity to a 20-3 record and a spot in the regional semifinals.
Bendlage also was a three-year varsity starter for Fort Madison’s soccer team, where she was a two-time All-Southeast Conference selection and was a team captain. She did not play this season.
Bendlage, who will attend Mount Mercy this year as an elementary education major and will play volleyball there, carried a 3.95 grade point average.