Emma Leath and Ashlyn Newman are both Carroll County High School 🏫 Senior Student Athletes. That is not where the similarities end by any means as the two are both leaders on young teams and each has an opportunity to put their names in the CCHS history books before they graduate this Summer.

Newman recently became just the second player in School 🏫 history to find the back of the net 50 times on the Soccer pitch. Emory & Henry’s Adrienne Harris set the scoring mark five years ago at 71 and at first glance 50 is a long way from 71 but not when it comes to Newman.

Even on the night when Newman scored her 50th she added 51 and 52 to the total. When you are capable of scoring a Hat Trick every time you take the field you can close the gap in a hurry.

Newman and her Senior Class is nearing the end of the groups that had one of their seasons cut short by Covid. The number would be higher already if not for a shortened season and when you factor in a few games spent as the teams goalie early on, you can see just how talented this young Lady is.

One of the interesting things about the pursuit of the All-Time scoring mark is that she is chasing a number that was posted just five years ago and that she grew up with the Harris family. One would wonder if that makes it have more meaning, when you know the person who you are chasing ?

Tonight the Battling Ben Tickles take to the road for a match against Glenvar before returning home next Wednesday evening. The season is young and Coach Tickle has them playing with energy and enthusiasm so it will be fun to watch this story unfold.

Across the street at Cavalier Park a fellow Senior is chasing down some CCHS history as well. Leath crossed the 500 Strike out mark late last season in a game at Radford High School and finished the season off with 520 for her first three years.

Carroll County has produced some rather impressive pitchers over the years and at the top of the list is Sydney Nester. Nester just completed her College career last season at Marshall University and her ability to Strike Out a batter didn’t end when she left The Hill.

Leath doesn’t have the size and strength of Nester but she’s as crafty as they come. The natural comparison would be to say that Leath is the Greg Maddux of High School 🏫 softball.

Through five games this season Leath has added 52 more K’s to her total and the team is off to a 5-0 start ahead of a contest tonight with the Highlanders. Leath is receiving an impressive amount of run support early on which allows her some breathing room when she is out in the circle.

As is the case with Newman, Leath still has a substantial amount of ground to cover to take over the top spot but she is on pace to do so if everything remains in place.

Leath earned a Second Team selection last season following her incredible campaign which included 200+ K’s. The team fell 1-0 in the Regional Semi-final to eventual State Champs Northside and then watched eight players receive their diplomas.

Leath is throwing to a Freshman catcher in Natalie Burress and the pair seem to be in sync at the quarter poll mark for the regular season.

Both of these outstanding Athletes are leading their teams while chasing School 🏫 history. We have roughly six more weeks to enjoy their time on The Hill. Whether one or both of this pair reaches the Summit is yet to be seen but there’s simply no doubt that they have both done their School proud !