PRIOR TO PENN STATE: Played his freshman season at Temple, participating in 15 games and starting in five.
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered all four seasons at Garden Spot High School under head coach J.D. Stern ... Named a team captain as a senior ... Second team all-league catcher as a senior and a first team all-league catcher as a junior ... Started at catcher since freshman year ... Earned all-district honors as a junior and honorable mention all-district honors as a freshman and sophomore ... Hit .441 as a junior ... School's all-time leader in triples, third in doubles and fifth in career hits ... Played summer ball for the Myrtle Beach Surf ... Earned the Spartacus Athletic and Academic Award, granted to one player who shows character, sportsmanship and leadership ... Also lettered in wrestling.
PERSONAL: Full name is Nicholas Carson West ... Born on August 5, 1994 in Lancaster, Pa. ... Parents are Joan and Dan West ... Has one brother, Cole ... Majoring in agriculture.