For three athletes from Columbia Falls, the return to Legends Stadium on Saturday was more than just a collegiate exhibition; it was a homecoming. The Glacier Park College Soccer Showcase brought a high level of collegiate competition to the Flathead Valley, but for a handful of players, the event served as a full-circle moment, bridging the gap between their youth in Montana and their ambitions on the college pitch.
The event featured a mix of regional talent, including teams from Evergreen State College in Washington, Spokane Falls Community College, and Carroll College. While the schools traveled varying distances to reach Kalispell, the local connection was palpable. One current and two former Columbia Falls Wildcats suited up for the visiting squads, ensuring that the crowd at Legends Stadium felt a direct tie to the action on the field.
The showcase was specifically designed to bring elite college soccer to the Flathead Valley, with organizers hoping to establish the event as a yearly tradition. The Saturday slate consisted of three matches, beginning with a clash between the Evergreen State Geoducks and Carroll College, and concluding with a matchup between the Carroll Saints and the Spokane Falls Community College Sasquatch.
A Homecoming for the Wildcats
Walt Nichols and Finley Sundberg, both alumni of Columbia Falls, returned to their roots as members of the Evergreen State squad. For Nichols, the realization that his team would be playing in Kalispell was a moment of pure disbelief. “I just started grinning like I am right now,” Nichols said. “I couldn’t wrap my head around it. It’s just so cool.”
Sundberg, who spent the day rotating between the midfield and the back line, described the experience as surreal. Having played at Legends Stadium numerous times during his youth, the prospect of returning as a collegiate athlete in front of lifelong acquaintances was a milestone. “I never thought I would be able to approach back here with my college team, in front of people I have known for many years and live out my dream of playing college soccer where I grew up,” Sundberg said.
The emotional weight of the weekend extended beyond the game itself. Sundberg noted the joy of reconnecting with family, specifically his mother and grandmother, in a place he loves. Nichols echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his journey from a ten-year-old watching high schoolers to competing on the same turf. “I think it was really just full circle after the first game,” Nichols said. “I could go to the sideline and spot all my family, it was just dozens and dozens of people I knew.”
Clashes and Connections on the Pitch
The second game of the day provided the most concentrated dose of local talent, as the Geoducks faced off against the Sasquatch. This match featured all three Columbia Falls representatives, including Jackson Scholz. While Nichols and Sundberg are established collegiate players, Scholz is still a senior at Columbia Falls High School. But, as both programs are currently recruiting him, he was given the rare opportunity to suit up for Spokane Falls Community College.
Scholz’s appearance in the second half marked his first for the Sasquatch. Despite the unconventional circumstances, he viewed the experience as a near-perfect introduction to the next level. “I’d say the experience was a nine (out of 10). I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, otherwise it would be a 10,” Scholz said. He also noted the unique thrill of competing against former teammates: “It was awesome being able to go up against some of my fellow teammates from a few years back.”
The action over the 70-minute contest was brisk, with five goals finding the back of the net. Nichols nearly scored a highlight-reel goal from just outside the box, though his shot hit the post. The opportunity was not wasted, however, as teammate Connor Scanlon capitalized on the rebound to score.
Local Talent Distribution
| Player | Collegiate Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Walt Nichols | Evergreen State (Wash.) | Alumnus |
| Finley Sundberg | Evergreen State (Wash.) | Alumnus |
| Jackson Scholz | Spokane Falls CC | High School Senior (Recruit) |
Growth and Future Aspirations
Beyond the nostalgia, the showcase served as a benchmark for the players’ development. Nichols spoke candidly about his trajectory over the past year at Evergreen State, describing it as a “growth period.” While he felt his individual performance was strong, he identified specific areas for improvement as he looks toward the rest of his collegiate career. “I need to be a little bit more fit and continue to be a leader on the team,” Nichols said.
The event concluded with a poignant image of the three Wildcats—regardless of the jerseys they wore—gathering on the field for photos, symbolizing the enduring bond of the Columbia Falls soccer community. For the organizers, the goal was to demonstrate the viability of high-level soccer in the region, providing local youth with a tangible example of where their hard work can lead.
The weekend’s activities extended into Sunday, with Carroll College hosting a youth soccer clinic at Legends Stadium. This transition from collegiate exhibition to youth instruction underscores the mission of the showcase: to inspire the next generation of Flathead Valley athletes to follow in the footsteps of the Wildcats who returned home this weekend.
With the inaugural showcase complete, organizers will look toward establishing the event as a recurring fixture in the Kalispell sports calendar. The next phase of local development continues Sunday with the youth clinics, aimed at fostering the same passion that drove Nichols, Sundberg, and Scholz to the collegiate level.
We invite readers to share their memories of local athletes playing on the big stage in the comments below.
