From staff reports

Last week's run in the District 3 Cross Country Championships at Hershey's Parkview Course did more than advance Chambersburg's David Eubanks to the PIAA Cross Country Championships.

It restored Eubanks' confidence.

The senior ran his best cross country race of the fall on the very same course states will be contested on Saturday.

"His confidence level is as high as it's been outside of track season because of the best performance of his life last week," Trojan boys coach John Ambrosio said. "He's always had a ton of talent. It's a matter of believing in himself."

Eubanks ran a 17:08 last week to place 27th at districts. Eubanks and Ambrosio set the bar high again this week. Eubanks was the 13th Mid Penn runner to cross the finish line in the race.

"He'd like to do better than last week," Ambrosio said. "He'd like to run better than his peers in the conference and district and be under time."

Last year in Hershey, Eubanks ran a time of 18:18 and finished 42nd in the district meet to advance to states for the first time. At states, Eubanks followed with a time of 17:48 to finish 172nd. Even before the PIAA race last year, Ambrosio viewed it as preparation for his senior year.

"It's an advantage to run a state meet before you race a state meet," Ambrosio said. "Those kids go out like crazy. There are few slow kids in the race. Very little amount of time separates 50 to 60 guys on the course. It can chew a guy

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up who hasn't been there before."

Because of that reason, Ambrosio's game plan is similar for Eubanks as the district meet. Eubanks will sit back the first mile, settle in and make a move the final two miles of the race.

"States does things to kids they never do," Ambrosio said. "I anticipate the kids are going out quick. David won't go out as quick, but he will go out quicker the first mile than last week. Then, the final two miles make you pay. We hope he'll be passing boatloads of kids the last two miles and we'll see how it works out."

Southern Fulton will have a strong contingent in action for the Class AA races. The girls team -- the District 5 champion -- will be led by individual district champion Lacey Beatty. Chelsy Hollenshead, Amy Bard and Keena Elbin all placed in the top eight of the District 5 race.

In boys action, J.C. Munson will compete for the Indians. Munson placed sixth at districts.