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H.S. Extra: JB's Dalton Leab excels as 1st-year X-C runner


James Buchanan's Dalton Leab had a lengthy list of extra-curricular activities heading into his senior year.

But one thing was missing from his resume - a cross country medal.

Leab, a former James Buchanan soccer player, and middle distance runner for the track team, decided to give cross country a try in 2016, and it is paying off.

Despite being new to a sport that requires more than the ability to run long distances, Leab is excelling as the top Rocket runner this season, leading James Buchanan to an improved showing in the Mid Penn Colonial division, and in District 3.

"He came out for the team and worked hard all summer, and developed into a cross country runner," James Buchanan coach Jerome Staniszewski said. "He's become a really good strategist. He runs a smart race and it's amazing to see how he's developed this season. He wants to know everything there is to know, and he wants to learn better technique."

Leab placed in the top nine at the Enos Yeager Invitational (13:15), and his best reported run of the year came against Greencastle-Antrim last Tuesday, where he hit the line in 17:14.

Off the field, Leab is an active member of other non-athletic activities and was just voted Homecoming King. James Buchanan girls' soccer captain Aspen Anderson was voted queen.

Leab hopes to make it to states and continue running in college.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: The Chambersburg girls volleyball team’s seven-game winning streak came to an end this week, but prior to a tough 3-0 loss to Central Dauphin, Chambersburg was flexing its muscles in a 3-1 non-league win over York Suburban.

In the four-set match, Chambersburg put up 60 kills to claim nearly two-thirds of its total points on the attack.

The Trojans were led by Haylee Holsopple, who had 16 kills, followed by three other players who reached double-digit kills.

With just 14 attack errors, Chambersburg completed the match with a .380 hitting percentage, and .500 kill percentage off 120 attempts.

STREAKING: The James Buchanan girls volleyball team has won three straight five-set matches, including two big Mid Penn Colonial matchups. The Rockets have also won six of their last seven matches.

The Chambersburg girls cross country team claimed its second-straight Mid Penn Commonwealth title Tuesday with a decisive win over Central Dauphin, finishing off dual meets with another perfect 6-0 record.

“The big part of our varsity season hasn’t really started yet,” Chambersburg girls coach Chris Monheim said. “Our goal was to be undefeated in the Commonwealth, and now that that has been met, we can focus on bigger things to come.”

The Forbes Road field hockey team has won six in a row, outscoring opponents 37-2 along the way.

ON THE MEND: Chambersburg field hockey player Kaylea Garman was back on the field this week after suffering a scary fall against Mifflin County two weeks ago that caused her to exit the game early in an ambulance.

And Garman’s return was well-received.

“She played phenomenal her first game back,” Chambersburg coach Jen Amsley said. “After being out for about two weeks she was really good, and having her back is going to be huge for us.”

Despite Garman’s return, the Trojans are still suffering health-wise, but Amsley said she commends the substitutes who are stepping up to take on a starting role as Chambersburg works to get healthy.

ON THE CUSP: The James Buchanan girls tennis team is teetering on the edge of a District 3 berth, as the Rockets are ranked ninth in Class 2A with a 13-3 record. The top eight move on to the district tournament.

Two area volleyball teams are duking it out in Class 3A for a chance at the District 3 tournament - Greencastle-Antrim sits in the No. 18 spot, followed closely by James Buchanan, ranked 19th. The top 16 teams make it to the postseason.

Both of these teams have more than five games remaining, including a matchup against each other. It all depends on which team can close out the season on a high note.