AREA BRIEFS: PINGEL NOMINATED FOR GAGLIARDI TROPHY

Perryville native Scott Pingel a graduate of St. Vincent High School is among the 10 finalists to be considered for the Gagliardi Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.Pingel has already been named Player of the year in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The senior broke the NCAA all-divisions records for career receptions, career yardage and career touchdown catches this season. He finished his senior campaign with 136 catches for 1,648 yards and 24 touchdowns. Pingel ended up with 436 catches for 6,108 yards and 75 touchdowns in his career.

The Gagliardi selection committee will determine the trophy's recipient on Monday, Dec. 6. Last year's Gagliardi recipient was wide receiver Scott Hvistendahl, who set the all-divisions career yardage mark at 4,696 yards, only to have it shattered by Pingel this season.