Hislop, Fields, will play in Shodair Classic
HELENA — A summertime favorite, the Shodair Soccer Classic kicks off its ninth season this summer in Helena. The event begins mid-week with activities for players, and culminates with the women's and men's games on Saturday, July 26, at 5 and 7 p.m. respectively, at Nelson Stadium on the Carroll College campus in Helena.
The Classic features top student athletes from high schools all across the state. Through a rigorous screening process, over 60 outstanding young men and women are selected to play in the annual event. In addition to having been selected as All-State and All-Conference high school players in Class AA or A, they have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and citizenship. The Classic also brings together a talented coaching staff from around the state to guide the teams and assure top-level competition.
Two graduating seniors from Columbia Falls High School, Jylisa Fields and Colyne Hislop, have been selected for the girls Team West squad. Fields is a sweeper/defender, and Hislop is a goalkeeper. Also part of Team West are Kaitlyn Sleichter of Whitefish, Quinn Wilson of Libby, and Ashley Younkin and Meghan O'Connell of Flathead. Lini Reading of Whitefish and Matt Barrett of Big Sky are the Team West girls coaches.
On the Team West boys roster are Alex Konopatzke, Jonas Magstadt, Preston Taylor, Shane Widdifield and Tyler Gardner of Whitefish, Riley Hoyer and Jay Rosencrantz of Libby, Andrew Manley of Polson, and Conner Cavigli and Jordan Vaughan of Flathead. O'Brian Byrd of Whitefish is the Team West boys coach.
Players and coaches arrive at Carroll College on the July 23 to begin practices and a variety of other activities leading up to the games.
The high school players host aspiring young soccer all-stars in a free clinic for children ages 5 to 12 on Friday before the tournament. The event is especially popular with area youth, with close to 100 young players typically participating. Later that evening, a banquet to honor players, coaches, parents, and friends will be held at the dining center on campus.
The soccer classic is a benefit for Shodair Children's Hospital and the important work it does for Montana's youth. Shodair provides comprehensive medical genetics services and psychiatric services for children and adolescents from communities throughout the state.
Last year, the hospital provided more than $4 million in uncompensated care for at-risk children and youth from around the state. Support generated from events like the Soccer Classic and the Children's Miracle Network Telethon help assure that these services remain available for young Montanans in need of help.