Parkersburg’s Brayden Tingler, left, works the ball along the sideline during a soccer match this past season at Stadium Field. On Wednesday, Tingler announced his decision to continue his soccer career at Muskingum University. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — Even with a turnover in the coaching staff, Brayden Tingler stuck to his guns and remained committed to the soccer program at Muskingum University.

On Wednesday inside Parkersburg High School’s Memorial Fieldhouse gymnasium, Tingler made his decision official to join the Muskies’ Division III soccer program.

“I always wanted to play at the next level – I actually have wanted to go pro since I was five years old,” said Tingler, who finished his Big Red career with 33 goals, including 16 during his senior year. “I was recruited by Muskingum’s former coach, but the new coach has called me and talked to me to explain what he is going to do.

“The new coach is planning to do possessive soccer, which I really like.”

Derek Manner, who spent this past season as the head coach at PHS, has been on staff long enough to see Tingler evolve into the impact player he became at forward.

Parkersburg senior Brayden Tingler, second from left, announced his decision during a ceremony Wednesday inside Parkersburg High School’s Memorial Fieldhouse to continue his soccer career at Muskingum University. Seated with Brayden are, from left: his father (Josh Tingler), mother (Brittany Harris) and sister (Madyson Tingler). (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Brayden spent a great deal of time playing between the lines and helping make plays in our attack — he is so quick and agile,” Manner said.

“We knew early on that Brayden was going to be an amazing player. He would go into 1v1 situations with some of the best defenders in the state and come out the other side and leave us wondering how he did it.

“He’s just one of those players that you love to watch because you never know what’s going to happen.”

Hurricane stood in the Big Reds’ way every postseason at the sectional level, so Tingler and his classmates Connor Gribble and Landon Shedd, who have signed to play at West Liberty, never received the opportunity to showcase their ability at the state level.

“Even at the all-state voting, those three were talked about constantly by other coaches saying how great they were,” Manner continued. “And it was from other coaches who didn’t get a chance to see them play but knew who the kids were. That made me feel good.”

Tingler, who is leaning toward majoring in business, noted Muskingum is a younger team and hopes that helps his chances to fill a role immediately.

He is already penciling in the Muskies’ road match at Marietta College so his family doesn’t have to travel a great distance to watch him play.

That includes his two-month-old brother, who Tingler plans to have involved in soccer in no time at all.

Among his supporters along the way, Tingler points out how his grandparents have played a huge role – especially with his classwork.

“My grandparents have helped me get where I am today,” Tingler said. “Honestly, they helped me with school and helped me get the grades.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com