Semenik named women’s tennis coach at Benedictine
LISLE, Ill. -- Mandy Semenik, a former standout student-athlete for Benedictine University, has been named as the new head coach for the Eagles’ women’s tennis program. Semenik replaces Meagan Weemer, who stepped down after the 2006 season.

Semenik spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant with Benedictine’s track and field and cross country programs. She has also been an instructor in Benedictine’s highly-successful “Learn to Swim” program and worked as a tennis instructor for the Lockport Township Park District, as well as for Lockport Township High School’s tennis camp.

Concurrent with her employment at Benedictine, Semenik also works as a tennis instructor at the Aurora Country Club. She is also a licensed professional counselor at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (in Villa Park and Downers Grove).

Semenik was a rare four-sport athlete, participating in tennis, track and field, cross country and swimming during her intercollegiate athletics career at Benedictine. She lettered three seasons in tennis, earning all-conference accolades as a freshman and the Eagles’ “Most Valuable Player” award as a senior, playing both No. 1 singles and doubles.

In track and field, as well as in cross country, Semenik was a four-year letterwinner. She still holds school records in the 200 meter intermediate hurdles, pentathlon and heptathlon, and is the former record-holder in the javelin. She was twice the team MVP for track, as well as the cross country team’s “Rookie of the Year” (2002) and three-time “Most Improved” award winner.

Semenik was named the Benedictine University female “Athlete of the Year” as a senior (2004-05), after also spending one season with the Eagles’ swimming team. Semenik was recognized for her classroom success, twice earning recognition on the NIIC’s All-Academic Teams (grade point average) and on the league’s All-Scholastic squad (which considers athletics, academics and community/classroom involvement).

Semenik earned her Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Benedictine in May of 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology – graduating cum laude – at Benedictine in 2005. Semenik is a resident of Homer Glen, Ill. 

Courtesy of Benedictine University, Sports Information Department, May 30, 2007.