Hempfield graduate Danny Whirlow gets PAC honor

Hempfield graduate and Saint Vincent swimmer Danny Whirlow was pleasantly surprised by an honor he earned recently.

Whirlow, a sophomore, made the All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s first team following his performance at the conference championship meet.

“I did not know it was an honor I could receive,” said Whirlow, 19. “I was elated because I knew I had earned it.”

Whirlow placed first in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3 minutes, 7.01 seconds), second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:24.25), third in the 200 medley relay (1:33.35) and third in the 800 freestyle relay (7:22.63) in the conference meet.

Individually, he came eighth in the 100 freestyle (48.62) and 10th in the 50 freestyle (22.06) and 100 butterfly (54.88).

The Bearcats finished third of five teams.

Saint Vincent coach Josh Gurekovich said Whirlow, a three-year WPIAL Class AAA qualifier, is a hard worker.

“He pushes himself every day and in the pool and weight room,” Gurekovich said. “He is always asking me about ways he can improve.

“He brings a lot of passion for swimming to the pool day after day that has allowed him to reach and surpass many of his goals. I would like to see him continue the path he is on.”

Gurekovich expects Whirlow to be a bigger role model in the second half of his college career.

“I intend to make top eight in all of my events and be a part of some killer relays,” said Whirlow, who is studying English with a concentration on creative writing. “I have recently begun to lift weights again and will be swimming with my former high school’s team over the summer.

“I also like soccer and jiu-jitsu to keep things interesting and fresh.”

Among other all-conference first-team selections was Derry graduate and Saint Vincent sophomore Zach Baum. Latrobe resident and Saint Vincent senior Michael Marinchak made second team.