ShawneeDispatch.com

Mill Valley soccer star Josh Pingleton singed a letter of intent last Friday to play for Kansas City Kansas Community College next fall.

Pingleton also was receiving looks from Baker University and Johnson County Community College but felt that KCK was the best fit for him.

"I took a college visit with the coach at KCK and he talked a lot about education as well as soccer," Pingleton said. "I really appreciated that because education is something that sometimes gets overlooked. He went into a real personal level with me and I appreciated that."

Pingleton starred on the soccer field last fall while playing forward for the Jags. In his senior campaign, he scored 12 goals and had 14 assists while being named first team all-league as well as first team all-state.

"The honors were great but I couldn't have done any of this without my teammates and coaches at Mill Valley," Pingleton said. "Mill Valley was a great school to play at and learn and the big games really prepared me for the next level."

Pingleton helped lead a Jaguar team to state this year that advanced farther in the tournament than any team in the history of the school district. Mill Valley advanced to the state tournament three out of the four years that Pingleton has played.

"Josh is just a great kid," Mill Valley soccer coach Arlan Vomhof said. "He is one that always contributed and he is just such an unselfish player.

During his senior season, Pingleton also was tabbed as team captain.

"The kids at Mill Valley really looked up to him because he is such a great team leader." Vomhof said. "He is a great kid who will do anything you ask and he has such a great work ethic."

The Mill Valley coach also feels good about Pingleton's decision to attend KCK.

"Its always nice to see one of our players get picked up by a college," he said. "KCK will be a perfect fit for him."

Pingleton expects to contribute immediately at KCK to replace the players who graduated or transferred to a larger school. Ten players including Pingleton were among the recruiting class for this fall. Community colleges only allow two years of athletic eligibility before you have to transfer to a four-year school and only freshman and sophomores can then contribute.

"The coach at KCK said that with a community college level I would have to take big role," Pingleton said.

Another reason Josh chose KCK was because of the short distance from his home.

"I preferred to stay close to home and drive to school," he said. "I just don't feel that I am ready to live on my own yet."

The Mill Valley senior was not only involved in soccer; he also currently serves as vice president of the student council. Pingleton was also name homecoming king this past fall.

"I don't think that I would be where I am today if it wasn't for Mill Valley High School," Pingleton said.