As a freshman at Seton Hill University, Jack Whalen had a record-setting season. Even prior to that campaign in 2023, however, he was making his mark at Norwin High School. Whalen, now a sophomore with the Griffins, is under the microscope for this edition of the Westmorland Alum Q&A.

During Whalen’s freshman year with the Knights in 2019, Norwin went 14-7 overall, including 6-4 in section play. Thus, the Knights qualified for the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, and subsequently defeated Mount Lebanon in the first round. However, Norwin fell to Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals to conclude the season.

With the arrival of COVID, the entire 2020 high school season was wiped out.

Back on the diamond in 2021, Whalen helped propel Norwin to a mark of 14-4, including 7-3 in section action. The Knights ousted Seneca Valley in the WPIAL playoffs, but were eliminated by rival Hempfield Area in the Class 6A semifinals.

In Whalen’s senior year, he was recognized as an All-Section outfielder. That season, Norwin compiled a record of 10-9 overall, and 6-4 in the section. Back in the WPIAL playoffs, the Knights lost to Central Catholic in the quarterfinals.

Following his graduation, Whalen matriculated to nearby Seton Hill University, following in the path of his older brother, Luke.

He immediately earned the starting spot in centerfield with the Griffins, playing in 59 games, all starts. In that action, he posted a batting average of .332 with 64 runs, 23 RBIs, one home run, and 52 steals, the most in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) history. For his efforts, Whalen was recognized as the PSAC West Freshman of the Year, PSAC West First-Team, and a Second-Team All-Atlantic Region selection.

The Griffins collectively also had a season for the ages, going 48-13, including 26-2 in the PSAC. Seton Hill cruised through the PSAC Tournament, defeating Shippensburg University, Cal U, and West Chester twice to claim the conference title. Hosting the NCAA Atlantic Regional, the Griffins bested Shippensburg University, but fell to Mercyhurst University. They rallied to win three consecutive elimination games, knocking off East Stroudsburg, and twice defeating Mercyhurst. In the Atlantic Super Regional, however, SHU was swept by host Millersville in the best-of-three series to end the campaign.

This season, Whalen has played in all 49 games, including 48 starts, compiling an average of .301 with 36 runs, 29 RBIs, two homers, and 31 steals. With the regular season just concluding, the Griffins amassed a record of 36-13, including 20-8 in the PSAC. The Griffins will open the PSAC Tournament on Wednesday.

Jack dedicated time from his schedule to respond to questions about his penchant for stolen bases, his decision to attend Seton Hill, and which Griffins teammate he’d choose to be stranded with on an island.

Q: How have you evaluated your performance this season?

A: I would say it’s been a tougher season for me personally than last year. I got off to a rough start to the season, so I had to climb out of the struggle that I was having. Besides that, I’ve been able to learn a lot about myself through this year - more than last year.

Q: You were recognized as the PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2023. What did that accolade mean to you?

A: It meant a lot to me last year because it was relieving to see that all the work we put in during the offseason paid off.

Q: You set the PSAC stolen base record last season. What is key to your success on the basepath?

A: My key to success is having confidence without hesitation, as well as getting as many game speed reps in practice off of our pitchers and trying different techniques to see what works best.

Q: What team and individual goals did you set for this campaign?

A: We have five team goals every season that we strive for and those are: be academic champions, win the PSAC West, win the PSAC championship, win our region, and win the National Championship. As far as goals go for myself, they are as simple as learning something each day to continuously get better.

Q: What are the best qualities of head coach Marc Marizzaldi?

A: The best qualities of Maz are his want to improve and get 1% better every day, his honesty, and his care for us, not only on the field, but as individuals, as well.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Seton Hill?

A: My decision wasn’t very hard once I saw the commitment Maz had to connect with me and get me on campus. As soon as I got on campus and saw the atmosphere of the team and the guys, I knew this was the place I needed to be.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is exercise science with a minor in business and health science. My ideal future would be to become a medical salesperson.

Q: What has been your most challenging college course?

A: My most challenging college course would definitely be Anatomy 1 and 2, because of the amount of time it requires to study and learn outside of the classroom.

Q: You were part of a high school program that produced countless college players in recent years. What are the biggest factors in Norwin sending baseball players to the next level?

A: The biggest factors in Norwin sending players to the next level is without a doubt the coaches we had with Coach Liebdzinski, Coach Quealy, and Coach SMU (Damien Teslovich). Their dedication to the program and each individual leads to the development of each player and his desire to reach the next level.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest memory in high school would be the relationships and memories with my best friends.

Q: Do you still follow Norwin athletics and WPIAL baseball?

A: Yes, I keep up with how the team is doing on Twitter and still talk to some of the guys who are on the team. I wish them the best of luck in all of their futures.

Q: If you could face any pitcher, past or present, for one at-bat, who would you choose? What would be the outcome?

A: I would love to face Marc Marizzaldi solely because I’d love to witness what is said to be the nastiest four-seamer known to man. I don’t know what the exact result would be, but I know it would be a QAB.

Q: Who is your celebrity dream date?

A: My celebrity dream date would be Jennifer Aniston.

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

A: Steak with a side of crab legs and fries.

Q: If you were stranded on an island with one teammate, who would you choose? Why?

A: Definitely would be Mike Marinchak so he could put his survival skills to the test.