Photos Courtesy of Mid-Prairie and Columbus soccer

Two local soccer players will be on the pitch with the best of the best Saturday in Des Moines, playing in the annual Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association Senior East/West All-Star Cup.

In the boys match Mid-Prairie’s Jack Pennington will participate. A 2021 all-state selection, Pennington followed those accolades up with a big senior year. His 14 goals were best on the team and fourth in the River Valley Conference. He also dished out eight assists, fourth most in the RVC. Pennington finished with 36 total points to his credit, third in the River Valley and 37 shots on goal. He played in and started all 15 matches for a Mid-Prairie team that spent multiple weeks in the No. 1 spot in the Class 1A boys poll this season.

In the girls match, Columbus Wildcat Juvixsa Valdez was selected. She was the Wildcat leader in goals with 10 in 2022, third most in the Southeast Iowa Superconference. With 20 points she also finished third in the Superconference individual standings. The 30 shots on goal for Valdez were third in the SEISC. Valdez played in and started all 11 matches for the ‘Cats this year.

Activities begin in Des Moines Saturday with girls team practices at 10a.m., boys practice at 11, lunch for the teams at noon, the girls match from 2-4p.m. And the boys contest from 4-6p.m. At Valley Stadium, home of the Des Moines Menace.