Vanguard University

The athlete:  Zachary comes to Vanguard from Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California…2005 graduate who will enter the collegiate ranks for the first time in a Lion uniform…played for Coach Russell Conner at ORHS in the Sierra Valley League…was named All-Metro and All-League…led ORHS to the Sierra Valley League Championship…also played soccer in high school…has played baseball as long as he can remember…bats right…throws right…great size and strength for a freshman…good base runner and solid fielding skills…strong arm and gap to gap hitter with power…good leadership skills for a freshman…expected to compete for the starting shortstop position…will learn the collegiate game with on the field training…look for Leighton’s name to be in the action for the four years.

The person:  Zachary Beau Leighton was born in Sacramento, California on August 5, 1986 to his parents Brian and Joanne Leighton…is the oldest of three children…nickname is “Z-Beau”…will major in Business Administration at Vanguard…loves eating steak…sports heroes are Michael Jordan and Khalil Greene…roots for the Boston Red Sox…favorite movie is “Dumb and Dumber”…watches “According To Jim” on television…loves the color blue and the number 11…favorite place is the baseball field…enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, and playing video games…would like to meet Jesus Christ…loves the depth on the VU baseball team…has learned from life that trusting in God is the best way to live…competing in athletics has taught him about patience…wants to become a major league baseball player.

His thoughts:  I picked Vanguard to be in the Christian atmosphere while playing baseball.  I love the people here.

Coach Mallernee’s comments:  Zach is an outstanding person.  As a freshman, he will lock down the shortstop position and give us a playmaker up the middle.