Matt Whalen Hometown: Reading, Mass. High School: Reading Memorial Position: Sprints Birthdate: 10/30/1991 Experience: So./So.

On Whalen: Returning member of the Villanova sprint group ... Gained experience as a freshman and will continue to develop during the coming year ... Has the ability to help the Wildcats during meets.

2012 Outdoor: Ran in the 400 meters at four meets during the season ... Top time was 51.38 in a 14th place finish at the Widener Invitational ... Placed 19th at the Delaware Open in 51.86 ... Recorded times of 52.44 and 52.98, respectively, at the Big Five Invite and Danny Curran Invitational.

2012 Indoor: Made his collegiate debut at the Jack Pyrah Invitational and came in 23rd in the 300 meters with a time of 38.50 ... Competed in the 400 meters at the NYC Gotham Cup and finished in 66th place with a time of 52.94.

Reading Memorial High School: Received two varsity letters in both indoor and outdoor track, as well as one in cross country ... As a senior was named his team's Most Improved Athlete both indoors and outdoors, and was also presented with the Sportsmanship Award during the outdoor season ... Ran a leg of the 4x400 meter relay and placed first at the 2010 MIAA Division II Track & Field Outdoor Championships ... The squad also placed fifth at the 2010 MIAA All-State Track & Field Outdoor Championships ... Inducted into the National Honor Society.

Personal: Born 10/30/91 in Reading, Mass. ... Older of two children of Stephen and Alison Whalen ... Has a younger sister, Sarah (18) ... Majoring in Political Science.

PERSONAL BESTS

400 Meters (Relay)                        50.0          High School
400 Meters (Open)                         50.72         2013 Delaware Open
500 Meers                                 1:06.70       2013 NYC Gotham Cup

CAREER AWARDS

BIG EAST Academic All-Star                                     2011-12