2023 MERCY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Congratulations to the following Mercy Marlin athletes and coaches who were inducted into Mercy High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame on September 30, 2023.

“As women continue to break barriers in sports, we acknowledge the strides and achievements our alumnae are making all over the world to compete athletically,” said Dr. Cheryl Kreger. “Our athletic department has produced some of the world’s most successful athletes. Our Athletic Hall of Fame was created to recognize their achievements not only after graduation but the contributions they made to Mercy.”

PHOTO GALLERY

1977 Basketball Team

 

1977 MHSAA Class A State Champions

• 25-0 record 

• Defeated Detroit Mumford 63-52 in the finals

• Lynn Yadach, Anne Haubold, Gretchen Larges, 

Kathy Soditch,Denise Sievert, Sue Brown, Diane Dietz, Katie McNamara, Nancy Malone, Deanne Banfield, Carol Burns, Aggie Conti, Laura Zwiller.

JV call-ups: Anne McClorey, Caroline Chapman, Lisa Morris, Patty Schneider, Kelley Walsh, Meg Mallon, Patty Young (manager)

Coaches: Larry Baker, Mike King

Carrie Brankiewicz ’00

High School Athlete

• Walt Bazylewicz Catholic League Female Athlete of the Year, 2000

• Frank Connelly Scholar Athlete of the Year, 2000

• All-Catholic 1st Team Softball, 2000

• Softball All State Division 1, 2000

• All-Catholic 1st Team Volleyball, 1999 and 2000

• All-Catholic 1st Team Basketball, 1998 and 1999

• 11 Varsity Letters

Ruth Butler ’66

Groundbreaking Woman Sports Journalist

• First woman sports writer hired by a Michigan newspaper

• 2020 National High School Wrestling Writer of the Year

• Michigan Associated Press Columnist of the Year

• Woman of the Year, American Women in Radio & TV / West Michigan

• Over 30 years as a journalist

• President of Our Lady of Mercy Girls Athletic Association, 1966

Diane Dietz ’78

High School and College Athlete, Big Ten Leadership

• 4-year varsity athlete in basketball, volleyball, softball

• 1977 state championship basketball team

• 1978 All-State first team in basketball, volleyball, softball

• University of Michigan women’s basketball 1979-1982

• University of Michigan Hall of Honor, 1996

• State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inductee, 2019

• Big Ten Deputy Commissioner

Shannon Dunworth 

Swimming Coach

• 2012 National High School Swimming Coach of the Year

• 2015 State High School Swimming Coach of the Year

• Catholic Schools Sports Hall of Fame inductee

• Won 10 State swimming championships

• Won 12 Oakland County swimming championships

• Won 42 League championships

• Captain, 1978 University of Tennessee swim team national champions

Jack Falvo† 

Softball Coach

• Varsity Softball Coach for 16 Years

• 410 Wins with a .671 win percentage

• Championships – 10 District, 8 Regional, 3 CHSL

• MHSAA Final Four, 2000-2003

• MHSAA State Runner-up, 2002

• MHSAA Softball Coach Hall of Fame

• Catholic High School League Hall of Fame

• Coached 13 MHSAA All State athletes

Margaret “Meg” Mallon ’81

High School, College and Professional Athlete

• World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, 2017

• Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inductee, 2010

• 18 LPGA tournament wins, including 4 majors

• Big Ten All-Conference honors at Ohio State University

• 3-sport Mercy athlete (basketball, golf, softball)

• Basketball and golf team captain

Kristy Ramsey ’00

High School, College, and Professional Athlete

• 7th place overall at the 2000 Midwest Track Championships

• Mercy school record for the most track and field points in a single season

• Volleyball scholarship to Western Michigan University in 2000

• 2000 MAC Volleyball Championship team member at Western Michigan University

• Played women’s Pro Tackle Football for the Chicago Blitz

Maureen Paulin Stoecklein ’91

High School and College Athlete, Sports Dietician

• 1988-1991 varsity athlete in basketball, volleyball and softball

• 1991 Walt Bazylewicz Athlete of the Year

• 1996 Madonna University Volleyball All-American Athlete

• 2016 Brawny "Strength Has No Gender” campaign recipient

• Canton Township firefighter / paramedic 2000-2022

• Nutrition coordinator for New York Mets and Detroit Tigers