Vanguard University

The athlete:  Zachary begins his senior season after a solid 2008…started all 39 games he played…batted .239 and was third on the team with 32 hits to go with 13 RBIs…started in 42 of his 43 games played as a sophomore in 2007…batted .292 with 45 hits, a homer, 19 RBIs and 28 runs scored…second on the team with nine steals in just 12 attempts and defensively led the squad with 131 assists…earned the starting shortstop position, playing in all but one game in 2006…started 42 games and was second on the team with 10 stolen bases…had 30 hits and scored 17 runs in his debut season…came to Vanguard from Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California…2005 graduate who played for Coach Russell Conner at ORHS in the Sierra Valley League…was named All-Metro and All-League…team captain…led ORHS to the Sierra Valley League Championship…also played soccer in high school…has played baseball for 17 years…bats right…throws right…good size and strength…above average base runner…athletic and speedy…prototypical shortstop…gap to gap hitter with power.

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”…is a Business Administration major at VUSC…loves to eat Italian food…favorite movie is “Gladiator” and TV show is “The Office”…roots for the Boston Red Sox…favorite Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6…loves the color blue and the number seven…favorite actor is Christian Bale…enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, and mountain biking…his sports hero is Dustin Pedroia…most respects his dad because of the father he was/is without ever having an example…learned in life that it is empty without strong, lasting relationships, especially without Christ…baseball has taught him how to better deal with failure…would like to play professional baseball and be a pro photographer.

His thoughts:  What I like most about Vanguard is the community.