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Trent Preheim

Preheim comes ‘home’ as Valley Center girls coach
By Randy Fisher
Last Updated: April 30, 2015

Good things do come to those who wait. Just ask Trent Preheim.

Six years ago, Preheim was an assistant girls basketball coach at Valley Center High School. That changed when VCHS appointed a new head coach. After spending the last four years coaching on the boys side, the longtime educator and coach returns to the girls program as its head coach.

"Honestly, I feel like I am back where I belong," Preheim said. "I am extremely excited to once again be part of the girls program here in Valley Center and am grateful for the opportunity."

Athletic director Ron Barry announced the hiring April 24.

"Coach Preheim has had 20 years of service, teaching and coaching in the district," Barry said in a prepared statement. "Over the years, he has coached a variety of sports at the middle school and high school level. He definitely has experience coaching girls and he's proven that he's loyal to the district."

Preheim worked with former girls coach Ted Anderson for 10 years. When Anderson stepped down following the 2008-09 season, Preheim interviewed for the job but did not get it.

"Spending as much time as I did on the girls side as an assistant, I always saw myself as a girls coach," he said. "Then life happens and you get diverted. I ended up on the boys side, where I had a great experience with coach (John) Wetig. It's kind of awesome to end up back on the girls side, where I really felt comfortable."

Coaching the boys was a good experience for Preheim.

"With anything, we're all a collection of our experiences, the people we work with and the people we surround ourselves with," he said. "I learned a lot from John. … I can say the same working with Ted. Even myself. I learn things from watching things that I've done. We're all learning constantly."

This is the first head-coaching job at the high school level for the 44-year-old Preheim.

"I'm at a point where I feel like I've got a lot to offer to lead a team, and help guide them and help them achieve some goals," he said, "but also try and help instill some of the character that athletics should be trying to instill in the kids. I feel I'm in a good place to do that."

A graduate of Moundridge High School and Bethel College in Newton, Preheim and his family have settled into life in Valley Center.

"I have had aspirations to be a head coach, but I never really wanted to leave Valley Center," he said. "My wife graduated from here and works in town, and my kids are getting a great education. However, I have prepared to be ready for this opportunity if it presented itself.

"Life has a way of getting you where you belong. I just feel like I'm home."






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