Signing Day: Mountain View star’s dreams take flight (video)

Chris Mitchell was flattered and intrigued as soon as officials from the Air Force Academy reached out to him, to gauge his interest in playing football for the Falcons.

Mitchell not only was interested in Division I football, he was interested becoming a doctor, in serving others, and in serving his country.

“I love everything they stand for. Integrity. Hard working. Dedication. Those traits fit me,” Mitchell said.

Last summer, Mitchell told the academy he would indeed become a Falcon.

On Wednesday, it became official. Mitchell, a senior offensive lineman from Mountain View, signed his intent to attend the Air Force Academy, to play football, and more importantly, to work toward becoming an officer in the U.S. military.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is the opportunity to serve my country,” Mitchell said. “It’s all about servant leadership. That’s what we preach at Mountain View.”

He understands all that is expected of him at the academy, and his future in the Air Force after the academy.

“I’m not thinking of the danger. I’m just thinking about the service I can give my country and making the world a better place,” Mitchell said.

He hopes to do that as an orthopedic surgeon.

When factoring in his advanced placement courses, Mitchell has a grade-point average that is higher than 4.0. While crushing his work in the classroom, he also made sure he put in the work in the weight room and on the field to become a top-level athlete.

Adam Mathieson, his coach at Mountain View, told the crowd at the signing ceremony that he once saw Mitchell running hills at 5:30 in the morning … when Mitchell was a sophomore.

“He’s what you want in a high school athlete,” Mathieson said. “Chris has always put himself in position to be his best self. I’m excited for the opportunity that lies ahead for him.”

The football program at Mountain View, Mitchell said, prepared him for this day, for his future.

Leadership. Teamwork. Putting teammates above the individual. That’s the military. And that’s Mountain View, Mitchell said.

“The military itself is a brotherhood. And I’ve learned in this program, we’re a family,” Mitchell explained. “Once you’re in, you’re in for life.”

The first year at a service academy is unlike a typical freshman experience at a college. Remember, these are future military leaders. More is expected of the young men and women, and there are mental and physical demands they must meet.

“I try not to think about it too much,” Mitchell said. “I know it’s going to be tough. I’ve dealt with tough things before. I know I’m going to have to put in more effort than I’ve put into anything. … That motivates me.”

Mitchell visited the campus at Colorado Springs, Colo., and was amazed.

“Everything is brand new, top-of-the-line, high tech,” Mitchell said. “The chapel is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Football and dedication to education has led Mitchell to new opportunities.

Wednesday was the first official day of his future.

“This is one of the biggest days of my life,” he said. “An amazing feeling.”

More signings

Wednesday was the first day for football players to sign letters of intent. Plenty of athletes from Clark County celebrated.

• Caleb Lightbourn, Camas football, signed with Nebraska.

• Rudolph “J.R.” Mataia, Evergreen football, signed with Eastern Washington.

• Rey Green, Union football, signed with Montana

• Kedrick Johnson, Hockinson football, signed with Eastern Washington.

• Cameron Loos, Hockinson football, signed with New Mexico State.

• Will Ortner, Hockinson, signed with Central Washington.

For a full list of athletes who have signed or committed to four-year college programs, go to the high school sports blog at 360preps.com