MISSOULA – Skyleigh Thompson grew up always wanting to be a Griz.

The Kalispell native dreamed of coaching at Montana, the state’s only NCAA Division I football program. Little did she know how much impact the program would have on her four years later.

“Relationships are much deeper than just a teammate level,” Thompson said. “I’m surrounded by my best friends every day, and it’s a little sad to think that I won’t be able to spend time with them every day, but that I’m just going to enjoy it while I can.

“I think my main goal was to enjoy the ride. My dad always tells me to enjoy every moment, even if I’m nervous or, you know, sometimes traveling isn’t ideal, but just enjoy it. Enjoy people around you and ultimately have fun.”

Thompson was a record-setting high school soccer player at Flathead High School before joining the Grizzlies program, and in the fall of 2021, she saw significant playing time as the Griz won the Big Sky Conference soccer tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament. .

She played in 20 games and made 10 no starts that season, eight of which came down the stretch, including in the conference title game against Weber State and in the NCAA tournament against Washington State.

Tommy Martino / University of Montana

“I just think it set the tone for the rest of my career here: We have expectations here to win and work hard at everything we do,” she said. “And my first year, it was so fun to win the tournament, like I just remember it was the coolest thing I ever did. Getting a ring. I’m like, ‘What -what is it?’

“I came in and I knew I would have to put my head down and work really hard to get where I wanted. And you know, luckily it worked out where I got some playing time. Coaches are so good at recruiting people with the intention of making them better players.

Over the next three years, Thompson became a full-fledged starter at Montana, where she became a star threat for the Grizzlies.

Thompson thrived on her advantages as a fast and strong athlete, and as a junior last year she was an All-West Region selection, Big Sky Offensive MVP and a student All-American.

Six of her 11 career goals came last season as the Griz became Big Sky champions again in the regular season.

“I think over time you end up having more confidence in yourself,” Thompson said. “The college game is so different, especially at the Division I level, from high school and club football in Montana, right? So it’s just about getting used to it, building more “chemistry and relationships with the people around you, to better understand your strengths as a player.”

As a senior this year, Thompson drew more attention from opposing teams and freed up others and also battled injuries throughout the campaign.

Tommy Martino / University of Montana

Still, she found a way to make an impact and in her final run, Thompson once again helped the Grizzlies reach another conference title, a goal. the team achieved on Sunday.

“I think at first it was a bit of a mental battle,” Thompson said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to continue to be better as a football player. It’s hard to see that when you don’t get the stats you want at the beginning, but, you know, sometimes you have just take a step back and realize that you’re growing in a different way At the end of the day, it’s the team first, right? So if I contribute in a way that helps the team? team to win, I’m doing my best.

“Knowing that I’m contributing to the team in any way I can is just the most important thing to me. And at the end of the day, just enjoying where I am and having fun with it.”

Once college football is over, Thompson will graduate from UM in December with a degree in finance.

With 74 games and 4,205 career minutes played under his belt as a Grizzly, Thompson leaves a legacy in Montana as a local product who found success at the highest level.

“I’m so proud to be from Montana and to be able to wear it on my chest every time I step on the field,” Thompson said. “Just being able to be someone that other people can look up to and see that it’s something you can do, it’s amazing.

“It’s something I don’t take lightly. So I’m very happy to have been able to achieve this and hopefully also inspire the next generation of footballers. I feel so honored to being here and being with these girls and these coaches I have so many thanks for everyone who has been a part of my journey here, I couldn’t have done it without the people around me.