Bigfork athlete named MVP in senior showcase

After soccer season ended, four Bigfork High seniors were given the chance to play an exhibition game for college scouts.

Kyle Thomson, Tyler Zavala Grace Rehbein and Megan Pancoast were invited to play in the 4th annual senior showcase game Nov. 15., which brought together top senior soccer players from Flathead, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Glacier, Bigfork, Sandpoint, Polson, Libby and Stillwater Christian high schools.

The showcase is organized by the Flathead Rapids, a soccer club based in Whitefish. Rapids president, and Whitefish High School soccer coach, O’Brien Byrd organized the showcase to give high school seniors in the Flathead a chance to play in one more game.

“I wanted to give the seniors an opportunity to celebrate four years of dedication to their program,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to help the seniors gain some attention from college scouts.

As a Columbia Falls graduate who played soccer at McPherson College, Byrd knows how hard it can be to market yourself as a soccer player to colleges.

“We’ve got to help our kids get more exposure,” he said. “I know what it’s like on the battle ground. It’s a grind, it’s really tough.”

In past years seniors from the Flathead Valley would be divided into teams and play against each other. This year Byrd decided to expand the showcase and challenge Missoula-area athletes.

“We decided to broaden the talent pool and challenge Missoula,” he said.

Though both the Flathead Valley teams lost, the boys 5-2 and the girls 1-0, the games helped promote good sportsmanship.

“It’s fun to lace up the boots with the best of the best,” Byrd said.

The games were played in Washington Grizzly stadium in Missoula, and numerous college scouts attended, Byrd said. Right after both the girls and boys game scouts were on the sidelines talking to athletes.

After the high school matches the Rapids Premier teams, which are made up of current, and ex-college soccer players, played exhibition games. The MVP from both the boys and girls showcase game were invited to play in those matches.

Kyle Thomson was named MVP for the boys, and suited up to play with the Rapids.

“He did really well,” Byrd said. “He’s a dynamic midfielder, and he’s an exciting player to watch.”