By BRIAN HALL

Staff writer

Of the four area PIAA state cross country qualifiers a year ago, a pair returned to action this fall.

Unfortunately for Chambersburg, only one will be able to compete today at the District 3 Cross Country Championships.

Trojan boys coach John Ambrosio will have David Eubanks in the AAA boys race, but Haley Thomas -- beset by injuries much of the season -- will not be available for the Chambersburg girls.

"The kids I have running are all very healthy," Trojan girls coach Chris Monheim said. "They're ready to roll. We won't have Haley. As a team we are in better shape health-wise than we were a couple of weeks ago."

Chambersburg's top finisher at Mid Penns 11 days ago was McKenzie Doyle in 17th. Shippensburg freshman twins Reynah and Margeaux Spence finished 12th and 13th.

The Trojan girls are trying to advance to states as a team for the first time since 2006. While Monheim has a strong nucleus to depend on, the Trojans face a tough field and a stiff course.

"Laurie Jones has a district medal from her freshman year," Monheim said. "She's our most experienced kid out there. Doyle has been our No. 1 runner for a good portion of the season. Alayna Merkle and Maeve Charlesworth have been close to those girls all season long.

"The course has changed a little bit. With about 400 meters to go, runners have a steep climb. Spectators won't see the leader until 100 meters to go. It's already one of the toughest

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courses we run on. We're not a team that does well on flat, fast courses. The teams that are mentally tough will do well."

Eubanks placed 42nd in the district meet a year ago and finished 172nd at states. Zack Rotz led the Trojans at Mid Penns with his 23rd place finish, while Jared Wilson was second on the team with his 24th-place effort. Greencastle-Antrim's Joe Pasquerello placed 31st at the meet.

"David, Zack and Jared throughout the season have had performances that indicate they could be in the top 30 or 40 in the district," Ambrosio said. "If our team doesn't make it, we have some guys who can represent us at the state meet."

Several teams will be vying for one of those final spots to gain state admittance.

"We're in the same boat we have been the past couple of years," Ambrosio said. "We're one of three, four or five teams that have a shot at that last spot.

"We have to run to our capability. Run smart -- it's a hilly course, so you have to know when to make a move. If we can sneak in there, it'd be a real boon for our guys." District 3 championships

The District 3 Cross Country Championships will be held today at Hershey's Parkview course. It'll mark the first time the meet will be held on a Wednesday. Race start times:

1 p.m. -- AA Girls

2 p.m. -- AAA Girls

3 p.m. -- AA Boys

4 p.m. -- AAA Boys

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Brian Hall may be reached at 262-4788 or bkhall@publicopinionnews.com.