Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Jeannette’s Grace Stein and Ligonier Valley’s Mark Jablunovsky

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 8:07 PM

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Grace Stein

School: Jeannette

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: Stein allowed two hits and struck out 33 in a two-game sweep of Greensburg Central Catholic. She added two doubles and four RBIs at the plate. She also pitched a four-hitter, striking out 15 as Jeannette edged Serra Catholic, 2-1. Stein, who is drawing Division II and III college interest, recently went over 400 strikeouts for her career.

You tore your ACL last soccer season. How long did it take to recover and get back to throwing again?

I had my surgery on Oct. 22 and started pitching again at the beginning of February. My doctor cleared me a week before five months.

Did the injury affect your pitching at all?

Yes, not being able to practice at all during the offseason was tough mentally and physically, and I feel as though I started off this high school season a little slow.

Do you consider GCC a rival in softball?

Yes, of course. GCC has been our rival in football, basketball and in other sports.

What has been your best pitch this season? What other pitches do you throw?

My curve and my back-door curve are my best pitches, but I also throw a good rise-ball. I have a changeup, screwball and a drop-curve as well.

You had to develop chemistry with a new catcher, Leah DeFelice, this season. What has it been like?

I feel as though it has been great working with her. She played baseball and switched to softball this year, so she has a lot of experience. She is very nice and a great team player.

How fast have you been clocked on the radar gun?

I recently was clocked at my pitching lessons on March 9 and hit a new PR of 62 MPH.

Do you have any good-luck charms or superstitions?

Yes, definitely. I always pray before my games, and I always wear my cross necklace on game days.

Jeannette has been ranked in the top five in Class A all season. What does that do for the team’s confidence?

It definitely boosts our confidence, but we try not go by the rankings and to play each game one at a time.

What was it like to achieve 400 K’s, and how many do you want to get in your career?

It’s a great feeling and such a big accomplishment. I hope to get to 600 by the end of my senior year, but I am happy with whatever I end my career with.

What colleges are you hearing from?

I’ve had a lot, but I’m looking to stay local and I’m always looking to keep my options open.

Are you playing for Jeannette’s flag football team?

No, I’m not taking my chances and risking another injury. Just softball from here on out.

What other sport are you secretly good at?

I would have to say soccer, but, unfortunately, due to my injury, I will not be playing my senior year.

Who is the toughest hitter you have faced?

I would have to say Ella Richey. She is a great hitter and a good ball player.

Who is the best pitcher you have faced?

Definitely Lexie Hames when I played high school fall ball and guested for Belle Vernon one year.

What would be your ideal NIL deal?

I think an endorsement for promoting different brands of sports drinks would be nice.

Who are your favorite pro athlete and team?

I don’t really have any at the moment, but I do like to watch a lot of college softball.

What did you think of Jeannette’s boys basketball team winning a WPIAL championship?

I think it was a great accomplishment for the team and our small town. I went to watch it, and it was an exciting game.

Mark Jablunovsky

School: Ligonier Valley

Class: Senior

Sport: Track and field

Claim to Fame: Jablunovsky broke two longstanding records while competing in the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association Championship on April 24. He won the long jump with a school-record jump of 21 feet, 11 inches to beat the mark of 21-8 set by Scott Schneider in 1979. He placed second in the triple jump by skipping to a school record of 44-1 and breaking the mark of 43-7 held by Rex Kuhns since 1975. His performance helped Ligonier Valley win the Class 2A team title, and his second-place finish was the tiebreaker.

What was it like winning the title?

So I would like to thank all my supporters: coach Trish Majhan, my girlfriend Ava McFeely, her family, my parents and God for giving me this opportunity to break the record. They gave me the confidence to break the record when I doubted myself and got me in the right mood.

What are your goals?

I wanted to break those records, and I did. Now I am focused on continuing to improve my marks and make it to states. I missed by a half-inch the past two seasons.

What sports did you play at Ligonier?

I was a wide receiver and defensive back on the football team. I used to play basketball until I sustained a hand injury.

What are your future plans?

I hope to run track in college. I have applied to Indiana (Pa.), and I am looking at community college.

When did you start running track?

I started my freshman year in high school.

What are the other events you compete in?

I do the long and triple jumps, and I run the 100 and 1,600-meter relay.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My brother John. We are always competitive against each other, and we push each other. It’s a friendly competition. My friend, Alex Brisendine, also is a driving force and pushes me to excel.

Are your battles with your brother competitive?

They are a lot fun. He had the edge on me, but he makes me better.

What do you do for a hobby?

I used to draw a lot.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Deep Creek Lake.

Where is your dream vacation spot?

I would like to go to the Outer Banks.

Where do you go for a snack after practice or a meet?

I will go to Sheetz and get their burger sliders.

What are your favorite meals that your mom or dad make?

My dad makes awesome chili, and my mom makes a good shepherd’s pie.

Who had the best pizza in the ‘Valley’?

Fox’s in Ligonier.

What type of music do you listen to?

I like rap and pop music.

Do you have a pregame ritual?

I like to stretch, work on my mood and pray.

Where do you work?

Fox’s in Ligonier.

Did the Steelers make a good first-round selection in picking Derrick Harmon?

Yes. They need some you big guys up front.

Who will be the Steelers starting quarterback?

Mason Rudolph.

What is your favorite snack?

I like Snickers.

What is your favorite sports drink?

Body Armor and Gatorade.

What does it mean to be a Ram?

It means a lot to represent your community. The people in the community support you, and they have your back.

What is the last movie you watched?

I watched the movies “Lorax” and “Up.”

Who is someone you’d like to have lunch or dinner with, and what would you talk about?

I would like to sit down with my mom’s dad (Al Slowik) and how he showed me to be a man.

Tags: Jeannette