Senior spotlight: Marshall Westfall off the mat, set for repeat run with Athens baseball

ATHENS - Marshall Westfall  had little time to reflect on the end of his winter season, which fell just short of a state championship

Days after he lost in the Division 3 195-pound title match during the WIAA state individual wrestling tournament, the Athens senior was back in the school gym preparing to chase another title with the Bluejays baseball team. 

"Going in the first day (of practice), I was pretty beat up," said Westfall, who is headed to Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Ill., to play baseball. "A matted-up face and some wear-and-tear on the body, but I didn't take much time off. I went right into morning workouts and into the (batting) cage with some of the kids from the baseball team, and we just went right to work. I think that's the best."

Westfall, a pitcher/infielder, was an honorable-mention all-state selection by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association and had a .400 batting average for a Bluejays team that won the Division 4 state championship.

Westfall, who was a first-team all-Marawood Conference-North Division selection, is one of eight returning starters for an Athens squad that was top-ranked in Division 4 by wisconsinbaseballcentral.com in its state preseason baseball poll. 

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"He obviously has a lot of ability, but one of the things he has brought to this team is a love of baseball and he has brought that into a lot of people," Athens coach Bill Coker said. "He is one to stay late (at practice) and take extra fielding, and people see that. He has a really strong baseball knowledge and that has rubbed off on a lot of people."

Westfall, who also finished third at 182 pounds in the state wrestling tournament as a junior, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the highs and lows of his athletic career and his thoughts on the baseball season. 

Do you have a nickname that your friends, teammates or family members call you?

Some people call me just "Marsh."

What has been the most memorable moment in your athletic career or a few things that stand out?

Last year leading up to the state (baseball) tournament, instead of becoming teammates, we became brothers. We just got really close as friends. 

At the same time, is there a moment you would like to forget about. Something that wasn't your most memorable moment?

One of the most embarrassing moments came against Rib Lake during my sophomore year. I thought the count was two balls, one strike and it was actually one ball, two strikes. I took (the next pitch) for a called strike but I just stood there (at the plate) waiting for the next pitch. (The ump) had to say, 'Hey, you're out.' That was kind of embarrassing. 

Who is your celebrity crush?

Taylor Swift. 

Where is your dream vacation?

Hawaii. I want to surf. 

What is the expectation this year given what Athens accomplished last season and the number of players who have returned. 

Everyone is excited to be back. There's a lot of pressure, but I think we take that really well. I don't think (the pressure) matters to too many people. We want to win. 

Athens is the hunted this spring. Does that put more pressure on the team?

I don't even think about that. It's just a game. 

This team returns all but one starter. What is the chemistry like for this group?

We have been clicking well since we were third-graders in tee-ball, and it's just awesome getting to play my last (high school) year with my friends, and even some of my family with my brother (Connor) and my cousin (Javon Penney). 

What does it mean to have the opportunity to play baseball at the next level?

It's always something I thought about. I felt really fortunate when I found this school and they offered me a full scholarship. All the work I put in has made the dream a reality.

FAVORITES

Sport: Baseball 

Pro or college athlete: Derek Jeter. He has always been a super classy guy. He's always been so motivated and hard-working. 

Movie: "Stand by Me"

TV show: "The 100"

Food or meal: Steak and shrimp.