HHS State Wrestling Tab 2016

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STATE CHAMPIONS

MARTIN PARKER JASE TYLER TRAVIS WILKIE FILIUS STOKES SCHAUB ADAMS

#120 #152 #182 #205 HWT

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Blue Ponies roll to another Class A crown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

BILLINGS — The Havre High wrestling team went to Billings for the All-Class state wrestling tournament this past weekend with the goal of winning a fourth straight team championship. When it was all said and done, the Blue Ponies achieved that goal with what looked like ease.

The Blue Ponies trailed in the tournament only for a short time Friday after the first round, but after that, HHS led wire-to-wire and steamrolled the competition, capturing the Class A title at the two-day meet inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in impressive fashion.

Havre scored a total of 213 points and crowned five individual champions on its way to the championship. Polson finished second with 147 points and Hardin was third with 115.

“It was fun,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “You never get sick of (winning the state championship). It was a little anti-climatic because we knew that we had it walking in, and I don’t mean that to be cocky or whatever. Our kids were just that good.”

Filius is correct in the fact that there was never much drama about which team would hoist the Class A trophy at the end of the day on Saturday, especially with the work the Ponies put in Friday, on the first day of the tournament.

After qualifying 13 wrestlers total, the Ponies advanced nine of them to Saturday, with eight of them reaching the semifinals. In all, Havre was 19-9 on the first day with a total of 13 pins.

While Havre had four wrestlers eliminated Friday, the Ponies still led by 15 points heading to Saturday and after getting wins from Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Parker Filius (152), Jase Stokes (182), Tyler Schaub (205) and Travis Adams (HWT), in the semifinals to advance to the championship round, as well as a win from Ryan Stewart (113) in the consolation quarterfinals, Havre’s lead ballooned to 80 points.

At that point, the drama of the team competition was

over and the only question that remained was how many champions could Havre put into the the winner’s circle.

In the end, the answer was five, as Wilkie, Filius, Stokes, Schaub and Adams were all crowned champions.

Yet, even though Havre got five champions, coach Filius was hoping for six or seven and in terms of getting a sixth individual champion, Havre came oh so close.

Senior Logan Pleninger, who has been a staple in the Havre lineup for four years, had done just about everything in his career except win an individual title, which he was shooting for on finals night. However, after a classic bout with Clayton Carter, Pleninger fell 3-2 in overtime on a somewhat controversial ending to finish second.

For almost five minutes in the match, Carter and Pleninger were stalemated at 0-0, before Carter finally scored a takedown to jump up 2-0. Yet, in the final minute, Pleninger answered with two points of his own, which sent the match to overtime tied at 2-2.

With no other matches going on, the entire crowd at the Metra focused on Carter and Pleninger, who went through three extra sessions without so much as a point scored.

Then, with Pleninger on bottom, needing just an escape point to win, he was called for a false start. And since he had already received warnings in the first and third periods for the same offense, Carter was awarded a point and the match. And while the call was made correctly, it was simply a shame to see such a classic match end that way.

“It was a great match, both kids competed hard. But the bottom line is that we control it, we had to get off bottom and we didn’t do it,” Filius said. “We didn’t in the two minutes and we didn’t in the overtime. It was a false start.

It was unfortunate but hats off to Carter, he did a good job. He beat us in a position I didn’t think that he could.”

Right after Pleninger lost in dramatic fashion, Havre’s last senior, Pribyl took his shot at winning an individual title, something he had yet to do and unfortunately, he also came up short, losing a 9-2 decision to Brent Tezak of Dil-

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Dynasty To Be Continued

Blue Pony wrestling team loaded for yet another title run Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius, right, squares off against Lewistown's Alex Wickens in the 152-pound Class A state championship in Billings. Filius captured his third straight state title with a technical fall. For more photos, and special photo galleries from the state wrestling tournament, go to www.havredailynews.com. lon.

“They have both been in the program for four years and are great wrestlers,” Filius said. “We were hoping that we could get one of them (Pleninger or Pribyl) through to the dance, but we came up short. That burns right now and that’s just where I am at with it.”

Yet, despite losing, both Pleninger and Pribyl were four-time medalists at state and each were part of four state championship teams.

“Not too many people can say that they were part of four state championship teams,” Pleninger said. “It’s really something special.”

“Ever since I was a little

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre sophomore Tyler Schaub, right, takes down Sidney's Hunter Severson in the Class A 205-pound state championship match in Billings. Schaub was one of five Ponies to win a title.

kid, I wanted to be a Blue Pony wrestler and it just meant a lot to be part of the team,” Pribyl said. “It was great to finally get to finals night until the end there.”

On a positive note, Parker Filius and Stokes set themselves up to make some history next year, as both captured their third consecutive individual title, which will give them each a chance to be four-time champions next season.

"It would be a lot of fun, but there is three," coach Filius said referring to Parker, Stokes and the freshman Wilkie, who has a chance to be a four-timer as well now. "If we are going to make it two, we might as well make it three."

Adams, who is also a senior, closed out his career as a twotime champion with his second consecutive title.

“I am ready to go drink my first soda, eat a steak and some seafood,” Adams quipped after this championship match. “This is the last match I will ever wrestle for the Havre Blue Ponies. It’s

hard to describe, I’d compare to the angels rejoicing in heaven around God’s throne.”

Overall, the Blue Ponies placed nine grapplers. Junior Dane Flammond (160) reached the semis and finished third for the second straight year, while Stewart finished sixth at 113 pounds. Jazz Schroeder (145) and Lane Paulson (126) also scored points for the Ponies.

Havre also tied its own record for most state champions on one team with five, while the Blue Ponies won their 11th state championship under Filius, and, broke a tie with Missoula Sentinel for the second-most wrestling state championships in Montana with 13. Havre now trails Butte High, which has won 17 titles.

“This is a great group of kids," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "They are fun to be around. They care for each other, they work hard, they are a class act, they work hard on and off the mat and they are fun to be associated with."

There is no question that Havre High wrestling coach Scott Filius has built the Blue Ponies into a dynasty.

HHS has won three consecutive Class A state titles and is the prohibitive favorite to win a fourth this season.

Yet, winning is never easy.

And often times, the biggest threat to teams that have won as much as Havre has in wrestling, is the ability to handle success. Well, unlike most teams, Filius and his squads have never lost their hunger and so far this season, the Ponies are working as hard as ever to maintain their spot at the pinnacle of Class A wrestling.

"Things are going really good," Filius said. "Right now, the kids are really buying into the hard work in the room. We are sitting at 22 kids right now and we have the right 22, so we are pretty pleased."

When it comes to wrestling rosters, few if any, can compare to the one the Ponies will bring into the 2015-16 season. To start things off, Havre boasts three returning individual state champions from last year in Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams.

Stokes and Filius will each be juniors this season and both have captured individual state championships in their first two seasons.

Adams won his first state title last year, after a secondplace finish as a sophomore.

He also placed at state as a freshman, which gives the Ponies a total of three seniors that have placed in all three seasons leading up to this one, as Logan Pleninger and Kody Pribyl have also achieved that feat.

"There might be some guys on our team that have more accolades, but those three guys, Adams, Pribyl and Pleninger, are very important to what we do," Filius said. "We have some great leadership on this team and those three guys are some of

our best leaders."

While the Ponies did lose some incredibly talented seniors, including two state champions in Jace Billy at 205 pounds and Grayson Brenna at 132 pounds, HHS also graduated Gunnar Aageson, who earned a second-place finish a season ago, losing to Filius in the finals of the 145-pound weight class.

"We did lose three really good kids that have been in the program a long time," Filius said. "But, we picked up some really good freshmen this year and we have some great leadership, so we are in a good spot."

In all, the Ponies will return eight wrestlers, who placed at state last year, including seven that finished in the top four. Sophomore Ryan Stewart will look to build on a third-place finish from last year, as will junior Dane Flammond. Pleninger also finished third last season, while Pribyl and Tyler Schaub each finished fourth in their respective weight classes. Keegan Kennelly also finished fifth.

Yet, as coach Filius mentioned, there is a lot of young talent in the program and it's more than just the freshmen class.

Jazz Schroeder (145), Walter White (170), JayR Caplette (170), John Berg (HWT) and Brock Smith (HWT) are among the sophomores that could turn into contributors this season.

While, the freshmen class boasts Lane Paulson at 120 pounds, Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Kollin Nystrom at 145 pounds, Taylor Gopher at 160 pounds, Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds, Thor Abbasi at 170 pounds and Jacoby Fox at 182 pounds.

While Filius has done a great job of building depth, his lineup should be as solid as ever with Stewart at 113 pounds, Pleninger at 132, Pribyl at 138, Parker Filius at 152, Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams in the heavyweight division. Flammond will compete for time

at 160 pounds along with Jared Laux and Jared Sienkowski who will also factor in the heavyweight class.

"We have some kids that have high goals," Filius said. "And right now, they are working hard to try and achieve them. We had some younger kids that were an important part of what we did a year ago and this year, they are going to be at the heart of what we do."

Even though the Ponies are loaded with talent, one thing that will be different in 2015-16 from year's past is going to be the divisional tournament. Havre will no longer just compete against Central A teams Belgrade, Livingston, Lewistown and Browning for spots in the state tournament, it will now compete against the rest of the Eastern A, which includes Sidney, Miles City, Glendive, Billings Central, Hardin and Laurel. All nine teams will meet in Havre for the Eastern A divisional on Feb. 6.

"I don't think it's really going to change much," Filius said. "I think it might be like we are wrestling the state tournament two weeks in a row. The teams from the western part of the state just don't have the depth or the high quality kids like we do, so we are going to see that really good competition back-to-back weeks. But, it will prepare us well for state and it could also make things different and help us know better who we are going to be wrestling when we get into the semifinals."

Like always, Sidney should be the top contender to Havre's crown this season, but the Ponies could also see challenges from many other teams, but at this point, Filius is focused on taking it one week at a time.

"I haven't really thought that far ahead to be honest with you," Filius said. "The only way that you win championships is by working hard and getting better every week. That's what we have done in the past and that's

Havre Daily News/File Photo Havre High's Kody Pribyl wrestles in the consolation finals of the 2015 Class A state tournament last February in Billings. Pribyl is one of eight returning state placers for the Blue Ponies, who begin a new season Friday, and their quest for a fourth straight state championship. what we want to do again."

The Ponies will have a hectic early-season schedule as they open the season this Friday, when they will host the two-day Havre Invitational, which will be run through Saturday at the HHS Gymnasium. After that, HHS will head to Butte for the Butte Central Mixer on

Dec. 10 as well as the Mining City Duals, which will take place Dec. 11 and 12. Then, before Christmas break, the Ponies will compete in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The Ponies will also participate in the Cut Bank Invitational Jan. 8-9, the prestigious Jug Beck Invitational in Missoula Jan. 15-16, the Class A Duals in

Lewistown on Jan. 22-23, as well as a dual against Great Falls High on Jan. 26 and a dual against Malta on Jan. 30.

Following the Eastern A Divisional, Havre will shoot for its fourth consecutive straight at the Metra in Billings Feb. 12-13.

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Ponies dominate in the Corral Ponies steal the show on finals night HHS opens the wrestling season with a Havre Invite championship State Wrestling 2016

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre Wrestling Invitational has become the traditional starting point for the winter sports season along the Hi-Line and this past Saturday, it was held again at the HHS gymnasium.

And once again the Blue Ponies dominated it.

The Ponies did get a slight push from defending Class AA state champion Great Falls High, but at the end of the day, thanks in large part to six individual champions and a number of others placing highly, HHS captured the team crown with 284.5 points. The Bison were a relatively close second with 249, while CMR was third with 139.5. Browning and Lewistown were fourth and fifth with 130 and 107 points, respectively.

"You have to start somewhere," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "The first weekend is a mixed bag, but it's always like that. Now we know what we need to work on, so it's fun."

The two-day meet, which began Friday, came to a close Saturday and when the finals came around, it seemed like just about every championship match featured a Havre wrestler.

In all, the Ponies qualified nine wrestlers for the finals and finished with 13 wrestlers in the top five.

As expected, Havre got great performances from all three of its individual state champions. Parker Filius took home first place at 152 pounds thanks to an exciting 7-0 decision over Jordan Kormac of Great Falls High, while Jase Stokes pinned Jesse Dannels of Chinook in 1:47 to take the title at 182.

Travis Adams won by way of a 6-2 decision over Noah Danielson of CMR and Tyler Schaub also took home the championship at 205 pounds after defeating Nick Nordell of CMR. "It's a fun weekend, but honestly this isn't really a high point for us," Parker Filius said. "It's a nice first

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Top: Havre High's Parker Filius, right, works the head of a Great Falls High rival during the Havre Invitational at the HHS gymnasium. Filius was one of six Blue Ponies to claim an individual title at the tournament. For more photos, go to www.havredailynews.com.

Stewart

Wilkie

weekend but we aren't really building towards this tournament, we are building towards the end of the year."

The other individual champions from Havre in

Filius

the meet were Ryan Stewart, who won at 113 pounds thanks to a 7-1 decision over Braeden Lomas of Great Falls High and Martin Wilkie, who took home the title at 120 pounds with a pin of Bridger Grover

Stokes

Schaub

of Lewistown in 51 seconds.

The three wrestlers who made it to the finals but ended up finishing second were Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, who was pinned by Malta's Trey Simanton in 39 seconds, Koby Pribyl at 138

Adams

pounds, who lost a 5-4 decision to CMR's Kai Stewart, and Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, who lost a 3-0 decision to Tommy McMillen of Great Falls High.

"We made some mistakes yesterday (Friday) and to-

day (Saturday) but that's alright," coach Filius said.

"We turned some of those things around, and you kind of need to wrestle your way into shape and that's kind of where we're at. I feel like we were aggressive. I thought we had a good tempo and I like that."

The other wrestlers who managed to place in the meet for the Ponies Saturday were Lane Paulson, who finished third at 120 pounds, Jazz Schroeder, who earned a third-place finish at 145 pounds and Walter White, who was fifth at 170 pounds.

Jared Sienkowski managed to finish fifth in the heavyweight division thanks to a victory over Brock Smith of Havre, who finished sixth. Kollin Nystrom also finished seventh at 145 pounds for HHS, while Jarred Laux was seventh at 160 pounds.

All in all, it was a good performance from the Ponies, who got some standout performances from their veterans, while also seeing some promising signs from the many youngsters on the team.

"We had a lot of young kids do really well," Filius said. "Lane Paulson and Kollin Nystrom, two freshmen, both had great weekends for us and I was really pleased with both of them."

Filius said he appreciated the competition that was presented by Class AA schools such as Great Falls High and CMR, as well as from Class B schools like Malta and Cut Bank and Chinook, the defending Class C state champion.

"Anytime you wrestle some better competition, you find out if your kids have a little grit in them," Filius said. "Sometimes they expose you a little bit and you have some things to work on and sometimes it exposes that you have some pretty good character."

The Ponies will be back in action Friday and Saturday at the Mining City Duals.

HHS adds five more state champions to its ever-growing dynasty Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

BILLINGS — There are few things in high school sports that can rival the excitement of finals night at the All-Class state wrestling tournament and once again finals night was a time for the Havre Blue Ponies to shine.

In front of a packed house inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings Saturday night, the Havre High wrestling team put on a show, capturing five individual state titles and coming just short of two others as HHS put seven wrestlers into the championship round.

While the Ponies had the team title already locked up when finals night came around, there was still plenty of drama and excitement starting with juniors Parker Filius and Jase Stokes.

Both Filius and Stokes were two-time champions coming into the tournament and both were attempting to win their third of a possible four individual titles. No Havre wrestler has ever won four individual titles, but after Saturday night, both Filius and Stokes will have the chance to do just that next season.

Filius, who was the first Havre wrestler to take to the mat in the championship round, treated his opponent, Alex Wickens, of Lewistown, like a rag doll and defeated him 20-5 via technical fall after seemingly scoring takedowns at will.

“I was a little disappointed with my pace to start the tournament,” Filius said.

“But I was able to pick it up later and I was pleased with the way I finished.”

It seemed like Filius could have pinned Wickens at any time, yet he repeatedly would take down Wickens and allow him to get back up, only to take him right back down again, before the score difference finally became 15 points

and the match was stopped.

“I don’t get a lot of pins,” Filius said. “I like to get a lot of takedowns and score a lot of points.”

“It would be cool,” Filius said of being a four-time champion. “That is something that is very important to me.”

After Filius took care of his business, Stokes went about taking care of his as he was the next Pony on the finals stage in the 182-pound final against Connor Murdock of Hardin. Stokes and Murdock battled in the Eastern A Divisional final with Stokes getting the win and even though it was another hard-fought match, the result was the same as Stokes squeaked out a 7-4 decision.

Murdock struck first with a two-point takedown, but Stokes answered with one of his own and after a one-point escape, he lead 3-2 entering the third period. In the final period, Stokes got another key takedown, which gave him enough of a cushion to hang on for the win.

“It feels good,” Stokes said.

“I have the chance to be the first four-timer for Havre. I didn’t wrestle my best, but I wrestled hard and I guess that’s all I can ask for.”

Following Stokes' victory, Tyler Schaub was the next Pony wrestler to compete on finals night and the sophomore didn’t disappoint.

Schaub earned a trip to the finals after an overtime victory.

In the championship match at 205 pounds against Hunter Severson, Schaub and the Sidney wrestler were tied at 2-2 going into the third. Severson had just beat Schaub in last week’s Eastern A finale. A false start on Severson gave Schaub the advantage, then he scored an escape point to go up 4-2. And with less than 30 seconds left, Schaub scored another takedown, which clinched the 6-2 victory and his first individual title.

“I just wrestled,” Schaub said. “It feels great, I placed higher than my brother (his sophomore year).”

“We worked all week to get off bottom,” coach Filius said. “He (Schaub) beat two kids that had beat him in the semis and the finals and I am

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Above: Havre's Jase Stokes, right, battles Hardin's Connor Murdock in the 182-pound Class A championship February 13th in Billings. Stokes captured his third straight Class A state championship with a decision over Murdock. very proud of him.”

In the fourth championship match of the night for Havre, senior Travis Adams took the mat and despite falling behind 2-0 early in the match, Adams got the pin over Bryce Blumenschein of Belgrade in 3:03 to wrap up his Havre career with two state titles.

“I feel tired, sweaty, sore, my knee still hurts, my other calf hurts, I think I got a little mat burn on my face,” Adams said after his match.

“But nothing can compare to the feeling in my soul and in my heart.”

Following his victory, Adams held up two fingers to symbolize his two state titles and pointed at the direction of the Havre fans for the last time.

“I was just basking in the

moment,” Adams said. “It was my second time winning the championship match and it’s priceless.”

“Travis wrestled him 20 times and he finally got a takedown,” coach Filius said.

“But I was never worried about him. I had complete confidence in him.”

After Adams left the stage, there was a passing of the guard moment of sorts as freshman Martin Wilkie stepped onto the championship mat at 120 pounds and dominated. In a perfect way to cap an extremely impressive first season, Wilkie pinned Caleb Birdwell of Lewistown in 3:15 to win his first state championship.

“We put in a lot of work during the summer,” Wilkie said. “So this was the goal

and it feels great to achieve it.”

“Right now he is just a sponge,” coach Filius said.

“He is a pleasure to coach.

He is in that stage where he is learning everything right now and he just has so much passion, it’s just really fun.”

At that point, the Ponies had reached five individual champions, which tied a school record, yet, they would never get to six.

Despite a championship-caliber effort from both Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds and Kody Pribyl at 138 pounds, both seniors fell short of the elusive individual state championship that had been alluding them, something coach Filius know all too well. Pleninger lost a heartbreaking decision to Laurel’s

Clayton Carter in ultimate victory overtime, while Pribly fell short against Dillon’s Brent Tezak in the 138-pound final.

“Yeah, I have been there,” Filius said. “It’s tough to go out on the losing end of it. I have been dragging around those two with me for years.

It was fun to get them into the finals, wish we would have got one of them (Pleninger or Pribyl) through to the dance, but we came up short.”

And while finals night was a perfect ending for the Ponies, it was, as usual, dominating, and the seven wrestlers who took the mat in the final round of the 2016 wrestling season were a big reason why Havre was once again kings of Class A wrestling.

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Team scores – 1, Havre 213; 2, Polson 147.5; 3, Hardin 114.5; 4, Columbia Falls 113; t-4, Laurel 113; 6, Sidney 109.5; 7, Lewistown 106.5; 8, Belgrade 101; 9, Hamilton 99; 10, Dillon 97; 11, Glendive 90.5; 12, Stevensville 71; 13, Corvallis 57; 14, Frenchtown 53; 15, Billings Central 40.5; 16, Whitefish 34; 17, Browning 31.5; 18, Livingston 27; 19, Miles City 21; 20, Butte Central 5.

Championship 103 – Christian Dean, SID, md. Adam Bankert, LIV, 15-1.; 113 – Travis Kinn, GLE, d. Ben Stortz, GLE, 4-1.; 120 – Martin Wilkie, HAV, p. Caleb Birdwell, LEW, 3:15.; 126 – Sawyer Degen, BEL, d. Kohltin Starkel, DIL, 6-5.; 132 – Clayton Carter, LAU, d. Logan Pleninger, HAV, 3-2 (UTB); 138 – Brent Tezak, DIL, d.

Kody Pribyl, HAV, 9-2.; 145 – Jarrett Degen, BEL, p. Mason Fetters, CF, 1:42.; 152 – Parker Filius, HAV, tf. Alex Wickens, LEW, 3:42 (205).; 160 – Patrick Griffin, DIL, d. Manny Rivera, HAM, 8-4.; 170 – Ben Crews, STV, d. Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 13-6. 182 – Jase Stokes, HAV, d. Connor Murdock, HAR, 7-4.; 205 – Tyler Schaub, HAV, d. Hunter Severson, SID, 6-2.; 285 – Travis Adams, HAV, p. Bryce Blumenschein, 3:04.

Third place 103 – Mateo Quinones, POL, d. Rene Pierre, POL, 3-1.; 113 – Eric LaFontaine, HAR, d.

Michael Golden, HAM, 6-2.; 120 – Bridger

Wenzel, POL, d. Wyatt Vanburen, SID, 10-5.; 126 – Ben Windauer, CF, p. Thunder Morales, POL, 1:38.; 132 – Cameron Brown, POL, d.

Hunter Peterson, CF, 3-0.; 138 – Jaben Wenzel, POL, d. Bryce Roan, HAR, 13-7.; 145 – Brenden Roan, HAR, md. Parker Adler, POL, 11-0.; 152 – Jon Blanchard, FRN, p. Steven Scheffer, HAM, 4:54.; 160 – Dane Flammond, HAV, md.

Chad Landers, LEW, 11-0.; 170 – Cody Lucke, BRN, p. Matt Kale, BIL, 2:32.; 182 – Jon Jares, LAU, p. Mason Griffin, STV, 1:38.; 205 – Justin Hinson, HAM, d. Mike Corrigan, POL, 3-2.; 285 – Brandon Connolly, LAU, p. Luke Channer, COR, 1:44.

Fifth place 103 – Kaleb Ripley, LAU, p. Wyatt Harmer, HAR, 2:21.; 113 – Winfield West, CF, md.

Ryan Stewart, HAV, 12-3.; 120 – Tristan Slye, BEL, d. Bridger Grover, LEW, 8-2.; 126 – Trey Sokoloski, GLE, d. Jace Winter, SID, 4-0.; 132 – Kwin Stoddard, DIL, d. Steven Banks, HAM, 8-2.; 138 – Torrey Watts, MC, p. Cody Warner, FRN, :45.; 145 – Connor Ludwig, LAU, d. Bryce Williams, FRN, 7-3.; 152 – Bridger Coffman, SID, d. Kye McCollaum, COR, 12-9.; 160 – Tyler Clapp, GLE, d. Colten McPhee, CF, 9-2.; 170 – Storm Kemppainen, CF, d. Konrad Zinke, WF, 2:32.; 182 – Jerry Cassidy, STV, def. LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR, injury.; 205 – Braden Watson, BIL, d. Shawn Cassidy, STV, 9-4.; 285 – Steven Quimby, WF, def. Garret Hunt, COR, injury.

Havre Individual Results

113 – Ryan Stewart (6th Place) 1st rd – pinned Taisuke Matsuo, WF, 1:15; Quarterfinals – pinned by Travis Kinn, GLE, 3:44; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Elliot Vanosdell, STV, 2:59; Consolation 3rd rd – dec. Jacob Morgan BC, 5-2; Consolation Semis – lost dec.

Michael Golden, HAM, 7-3; Fifth-Sixth – lost maj. dec. Winfield West, CF, 12-3.

120 – Martin Wilkie (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Sidney Cooke, WF, :28; Quarterfinals – pinned Bridger Grover, LEW, 3:14; Semifinal – maj. dec. Tristan Slye, BEL, 14-3; Championship – pinned Caleb Birdwell, LEW, 3:15 126 – Lane Paulson 1st rd – pinned by Ben Windauer, CF, 1:11; Consolation 1st rd – dec. Ethan Boyce, BC, 9-2; Consolation 2nd rd – lost maj. dec. Jace Winter, SID, 9-0.

132 – Logan Pleninger (2nd Place) 1st rd – pinned Rob Bertelsen, WF, :57; Quarterfinals – pinned Chase Farrar, LEW, 1:17; Semifinal – dec. Hunter Peterson, CF, 6-0; Championship – lost dec. Clayton Carter, LAU, 3-2, UT.

138 – Kody Pribyl (2nd Place)

1st rd – pinned James Bess, HAM, :53; Quarterfinals – pinned Torry Watts, MC, 3:11; Semifinal – maj. dec. Cody Warner, FTN, 9-0; Championship – lost dec. Brent Tezak, DIL, 9-2.

145 – Jazz Schroeder 1st rd – pinned by Mason Fetters, CF, 2:30; Consolation 1st rd – dec. Kris Anderson, HAM, 9-3; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned by Mason Fend, LAU, 4:06.

152 – Parker Filius (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Hunter Allen, FTN, :31; Quarterfinals – pinned Cade Dockter, GLE, :55; Semifinal – tech. fall Steven Scheffer, HAM, 17-2; Championship – tech. fall Alex Wickens, LEW, 20-5.

152 – Jared Laux 1st rd – pinned by McCollaum Kye, COR, 3:04; Consolation 1st rd – lost dec. Tanner Branstetter, LAU, 2-1.

Team Scores

182 – Jase Stokes (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Noah Humphrey, POL, :41; Quarterfinals – pinned Brady Boyce, LEW, :17; Semifinals – pinned Mason Griffin, STV, 1:15; Championship – dec. Connor Murdock, HAR, 7-4.

205 – Tyler Schaub (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Matt Stafford, DIL, 3:30; Quarterfinals – maj. dec. Braden Watson, BC, 12-4; Semifinals – dec. Justin Hinson, HAM, 5-3 in SVO; Championship – dec. Hunter Severson, SID, 6-2.

205 – JayR Caplette 1st rd – pinned by Mike Corrigan, POL, 2:56; Consolation 1st rd – pinned by Uriah Turner, HAR, 3:53.

160 – Dane Flammond (3rd Place) 1st rd – tech. fall Malik Heydon, WF, 15-0; Quarterfinals – tech. fall Colten McPhee, CF, 16-0; Semifinal – lost dec. Manny Rivera, HAM, 5-2; Consolation Semis – dec. Tyler Klapp, GLE, 4-0; Consolation Final – maj. dec. Chad Landers, LEW, 11-0.

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2015 Havre Invitational Wrestling Results

2016 Class A State Wrestling Results CLASS A

29

2016 CLASS A

HWT – Travis Adams (State Champion) 1st rd – Bye; Quarterfinals – pinned Grant Scalpcrane, HAR, 1:28; Semifinals – dec. Luke Channer, COR, 4-0; Championship – pinned Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:53.

1. Havre 284.5, 2. Great Falls High 249, 3. CMR 139.5, 5. Browning 130, 6. Lewistown 107, 6. Chinook 72, 7.

Cut Bank 70, 8. Malta 67, 9. Libby 58.5, 10. Chester/J-I 17, 11. Butte Central 12 Championships 103: Carter Carroll, CMR, p. Bubby Doolin, Libby, 1:25; 113: Ryan Stewart, HAV, d. B. Lomas, GFH, 7-1; 120: Martin Wilkie, HAV, p. B. Grover, Lewistown, :51; 126: Caleb Birdwell, Lewistown, p. Jack Dressel, GFH, 3:51; 132: Trey Simanton, Malta, p. Logan Pleninger, HAV, :39; 138: Kai Stewart, CMR, d. Koby Pribyl, HAV, 5-4; 145: Chase Perry, GFH, md. Calvin Racine, Browning, 13-4; 152: Parker Filius, HAV, d. Jordan Komac, GFH, 7-0; 160: Tommy McMillen, GFH, d. Dane Flammond, HAV, 3-0; 170: Jace Berkham, CB, d. Chase Short, GFH, 5-3; 182: Jase Stokes, HAV, p. Jesse Dannels, CHI, 1:47; 205: Tyler Schuab, HAV, d. Nick Nordell, CMR, 6-3; HWT: Travis Adams, HAV, d. Noah Danielson, CMR, 6-2.

Third Place 103: Colton Clemons (no 3rd place match); 113: Mason Sams, Libby, p. Dillon Dejean, CMR, 2:35; 120: Lane Paulson, HAV, d. Declan Mahoney, GFH, 8-3; 126: Clay Fisher, BC, d. Kolter Schipman, MAL, 9-2; 132: Russell Wienholz, d. Keaton Anderson, CB, 1-0; 138 : Laine Young, Libby, p. Blade Massey, GFH, 4:00; 145: Jazz Schroeder, HAV, p. Jase Goss, Browning, 1:53; 152: Tyler Meyer, GFH, p. JR Seewald, CB, 2:18; 160: Derek Bell, CHI, d. Chad Landers, LEW, 5-2: 170: Ken Pruttis, CHI, p. Max Sechena, CMR, :37; 182: Cody Lucke, BRO, d. Bradley Denton, LEW, 5-0; 205: Ryan

Moldenhauer, GFH, p. Zach Wippert, BRO, 2:14; HWT: Justin Pfeifer, CB, p. Kolton Wippert, BRO, 2:05.

solation Semifinals - pinned Trever James, BRO, 1:41; Consolation Finals - 8-3 dec., Declan Mahoney, GFH.

Fifth Place

132 - Logan Pleninger (2nd Place)

113: Talon Arndt, LEW, (no 5th place match); 120: Mark Missliedine, MAL, d. Trever James, BRO, 11-9; 126: Ross Reed, CHI, p. James Buffington, CHI, 2:02; 132: Kaden Moore, MAL, d. Chase Farrar,LEW, 4-3; 138: Isaac Wippert, BRO, p. Kolton Schipman, MAL, 1:51; 145: Mitch Brown, CMR d. Tyler Loch, GFH, injury; 152: Tanner Farren, CMR, d. Joe Schildt, BRO, 5-2; 160: Wyatt Blythe, LEW, d. Sam Deffinbaugh, C/J-I 11-7; 170: Walter White, HAV, p. Tony Walter, CMR. 3:25; 182: Brett Kipp, BRO, p. Jordan Pierce, MAL, 1:42; 205: Jensne Pointer, GFH, d. Clancy Gout, Libby, 6-2; HWT: Jared Sienkowski, HAV, p. Brock Smith, HAV, 1:45.

Quarterfinals - pinned Colton Liddle, CHI, 1:55; Semifinals - 8-0 dec., Russel Wienholtz, GFH; Finals - pinned

by Trey Simanton, MAL, 0:39.

Havre Individuals 113 - Ryan Stewart (Champion) Semifinals - 12-1 dec., Mason Simms, Libby; Championship - 7-1 dec., Braeden Lomes, GFH. 120 - Martin Wilkie (Champion) Semifinals - pinned Declan Mahoney, GFH, 3:24; Championship - pinned Bridger Grover, LEW, 0:51;

120 - Lane Paulson (3rd place) Quarterfinals - pinned Mark Missildine, MAL, 3:30; Semifinals - pinned by Bridger Grover, LEW, 0:46; Con-

138 - Kody Pribyl (2nd Place) Quarterfinals - pinned James Esty, CB, 0:23; Semifinals - pinned Laine Young, Libby, 0:25; Finals - lost 5-4 dec., Kai Stewart, CMR. 145 - Jazz Schroeder (3rd place) Quarterfinals - lost 11-0 dec., Tyler Loch, GFH; Consolation Quaterfinals - 5-2 dec., Kollin Nystrom, HAV; Consolation Semifinals - pinned Mitch Browning, BRO, 3:53; Consolation Finals: pinned Jase Gross, BRO, 1:53.

145 - Kollin Nystrom (7th place)

Quarterfinals - pinned Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 0:35; Semifinals - 10-3 dec., Derek Bell, CHI; Championship - lost 3-0 dec., Tommy McMillen, GFH. 160 - Jared Laux (7th place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Chad Lanners, LEW, 2:26; Consolation first round - 10-3 dec., Andres Lopez, MAL; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Sam Deffinbaugh, C/J-I, 2:02; Seventh-Place Match - Pinned Taylor Gopher, HAV, 0:23.

160 - Taylor Gopher Quarterfinals - pinned by Derek Bell, CHI, 0:58; Consolation First Round - pinned Dominic Voomies, Libby, 2:15; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 0:48; Seventh-Place Match - pinned by Jared Laux, 0:23.

170 - Walter White (5th Place)

Quarterfinals - pinned by Calvin Racine, BRO, 3:25; Consolation Quarterfinals - lost 5-2 dec., Jazz Schroeder, HAV; Seventh-Place Match - pinned Grady Gilpatrick, LEW, 2:30;

First Round - pinned by Tony Walter, CMR, 3:25; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned Austin Ratliff, HAV, 2:42; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Ken Pruttis, CHI, 1:56; Fifth-Place Match - pinned Tony Walter, CMR, 3:25.

152 - Parker Filius (Champion)

170 - Austin Ratliff

First round - pinned Tanner wood, Libby, 0:38; Quarterfinals - pinned Joe Schildt, BRO, 0:51; Semifinals - technical fall 17-1 Tyler Meyer, GFH; Championship - 5-0 dec., Jordan Komac, GFH.

First Round - 10-7 dec., Colter Stillwagon, BC; Quarterfinals - pinned by Max Sechena, CMR, 0:38; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Walter White, HAV, 2:42.

182 - Jase Stokes (Champion)

160 - Dane Flammond (2nd Place)

Quarterfinals - pinned Brett Kipp, BRO, 0:43; Semifinals

- pinned Jordan Pierce, MAL, 2:11; Finals - pinned Jesse Dannels, CHI, 1:47.

205 - Tyler Schuab (Champion) Quarterfinals - pinned Rylan Moldenhauer, GFH, 5:14; Semifinals - pinned Zach Wippert, BRO, 5:11; Championship - 6-3 dec., Nick Nordell, CMR. HWT - Travis Adams (Champion) Quarterfinals - pinned Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 1:47; Semifinals - pinned Kolton Wipper, BRO, 0:40; Finals 6-2 dec. Noah Danielson, CMR. HWT - Jared Sienkowski (5th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Travis Adams, HAV, 1:47; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned John Berg, HAV, 3:21; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Justin Pfeifer, CB, 1:54; Fifth-Place Match - pinned Brock Smith, HAV, 1:45.

HWT - Brock Smith (6th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Noah Danielson, CMR, 0:51; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Kolton Wippert, BRO, 1:49: Fifth-Place Match - pinned by Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 1:45.

HWT - John Berg (7th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Kolton Wippert, BRO, 2:49; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 3:21.

28

2016 CLASS A

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2016

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HHS grapplers look to mine gold in Butte Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The trip to Butte in early December has become a tradition for the Havre High wrestling team. And it’s one that will continue this season the Blue Ponies will compete in the Butte Central Mixer and the Mining City Duals once again.

Havre will start its busy thee-day stretch of wrestling today when they compete in the Butte Central Mixer.

Then, starting Friday, HHS will take part in the Mining City Duals, a two-day meet held in Butte. The Ponies will take on Missoula Hellgate at 10 a.m., Belgrade at 1:30 p.m., and Helena Capital at 5:30 p.m., all of the first to determine seeding for the tournament Saturday.

“Normally at this time of year, we are really focusing on conditioning,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “But actually, I am pretty pleased with our conditioning right now, so we are just looking to get more hard-nosed every time each and every week.”

While the varsity kids are the only ones who will get to compete Friday and Saturday, all of Havre’s wrestlers,

if healthy, will take part in the Butte Central Mixer. The Ponies will compete with teams like Butte Central, Anaconda, Hamilton, Stevensville and others from the area.

“There aren’t any team scores or anything like that,” Filius said. “It’s just a chance to get off the bus and wrestle.

They mix kids up and everybody should get at least two matches.”

Wrestling for Havre in the Butte Central mixer will be Ryan Stewart (113), Lane Paulson (120), Martin Wilkie (120), Logan Pleninger (132), Kody Pribyl (138), Jazz Schroeder (145), Kollin Nystrom (145) Parker Filius (152), Dane Flammomd (160), Taylor Gopher (160), Jared Laux (170), Walter White (170), Austin Ratliff (170), Jase Stokes (182), Tyler Schuab (205), as well as a group of heavyweights that features Travis Adams, Jared Sienkowski, John Berg and Brock Smith.

After taking part in the mixer, Havre will get to take part in the Mining City Duals, which is a meet that coach Filius called one of his favorites.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre's Tyler Schaub, top, holds down a GFH rival during the Havre Invitational wrestling tournament.

“We always get good matches,” Filius said. “The Mining City Duals is always a great tournament and the best part is that you advance

as a team and you go back as a team. So there is a lot of growth that goes on this weekend, it’s probably my favorite tournament in terms

of watching the kids improve.”

The tournament will feature every Class AA school as well as a number of top

schools from Class A. Last season, the Ponies won their second consecutive Mining City championship, edging out Great Falls High for the victory.

If Havre is going to repeat, it will need a solid performance from a lineup that is down two spots as HHS will be open at 103 pounds and 126 pounds. Yet, the Ponies will Havre Stewart at 113, Wilkie at 120, Pleninger at 132, Pribyl at 138, Schroeder at 145, Parker Filius at 152, Flammond at 160, White at 170, Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams at heavyweight.

Depending on how the Ponies do Friday, they will either be in the winner’s bracket or the loser’s bracket Saturday. From there it is a single-elimination tournament until a champion is crowned.

After winning the team title at the Havre Invitational, the Ponies should get a sterner test in Butte. The Butte Central Mixer is today, while the Mining City Duals begin Friday at 10 a.m. and will conclude Saturday.

Ponies get high quality competition Havre High grapplers travel to prestigious Idaho tournament Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team has been one of the best in Montana for years. And for years, the Blue Ponies have struggled to find teams that can consistently challenge them, which is why, this weekend, they are headed out of state.

For the second straight year and for the first time with their full varsity squad, the Ponies will compete in the ultra-competitive Tri-State Wrestling tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The tournament is a two-day event that begins Friday

and concludes Saturday. It will be held at North Idaho College.

One thing that makes the tournament so appealing to HHS and head coach Scott Filius is the fact that it features wrestlers from Idaho, Washington and Oregon, as well as Montana. So in terms of in-season tournaments, there are few better than this one.

“I don’t think that we could find a better tournament to compete in,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “You get to face the best from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.”

So far this season, the Ponies have dominated the competition.

HHS opened its year with a dominant first-place finish at the Havre Invitational, besting Class AA schools Great Falls and CMR to take home the team title.

Last week, the Ponies took home their third-consecutive team title at the Mining City Duals in Butte and won duals over six Class AA schools in the process and not a single one

of them was closer than 15 points.

That is part of the reason why the Ponies are looking forward to some new competition this week and heading to Coeur d’Alene instead of Great Falls for the annual CMR Holiday Classic. Last season, the Ponies split their team and wrestled varsity guys at both meets. This year that will not be the case.

“It will be fun to have everyone go,” Filius said. “Last year, we had the flexibility to let the kids choose, but this year, we just kind of made it a priority because it was such a good experience.”

The varsity wresters will all compete in Idaho and a number of Havre wrestlers will return for a second straight year. Overall, the Ponies placed four wrestlers at the meet a year ago and finished 15th overall with far less than a full team. The top returners that placed are Parker Filius and Kody Pribyl, who each finished fourth.

Filius (152) and Pribyl (138) are

among those that will be expected to do well this weekend for Havre, but Travis Adams, who competes at the heavyweight spot, Tyler Schuab, who wrestlers at 205 and Jase Stokes, who wrestles at 182 pounds, also have high expectations going in.

The Ponies are still two wrestlers short of a full lineup with no wrestler at 103 or at 126 pounds, but outside of that fact, this Havre lineup is stacked from top to bottom. Ryan Stewart will wrestle at 113 pounds for Havre, while impressive freshman Martin Wilkie will wrestle at 120.

Following the open spot at 126, Logan Pleninger will wrestle at 132 pounds, followed by Pribyl at 138 and Filius at 152. At 160 pounds will be Dane Flammond and in the 170-pound class it will be Walter White, followed by Stokes, Schaub and Adams.

“It’s a deep tournament,” Scott Filius said. “You get a 64-man bracket at each weight and we real-

ly don’t have anything in the state of Montana that replicates it. It’s really going to be a lot of fun. It’s the best high school tournament that we can get to.”

Last year, 67 schools took part in the tournament with Post Falls, Idaho taking home the team title with 220 points. Short-handed Havre was 15th, and even though the Ponies will give up more weights than normal, HHS should push its way closer the top.

“I really have no idea how we will do team-wise,” Filius said. “We are actually giving up five weights because they use the national weights. But, we have some kids that did really well last year. We didn’t have anyone reach the finals, so hopefully we can get there this year.”

The tournament begins Friday and will conclude with the finals Saturday evening. All the matches will be held at North Idaho College.

5

2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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State Wrestling 2016

A Pony Kind of Pressure Many others don't, but Havre High seems to thrive on the pressure of the state wrestling tournament Chris Peterson Pressure. It’s something that just about every athlete and every team faces at one time or another. Yet, the Havre High wrestling team seems immune to it or maybe they just know how to deal with it better than their opponents.

But one thing that there is no doubt about is that the Blue Ponies have been the power of Class A wrestling for the past two decades and that doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon.

One reason the Ponies have become such a force in Montana wrestling is their ability to dominate on the big stage. Havre is good everywhere, but the Ponies take their game to another level when they step inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Billings Metra, a place that might as well be their second home, thanks to all the favorable memories there.

“I don’t know what it is,” Havre senior Kody Pribyl said. “Maybe it’s all the people or the noise, but some kids just freeze up when they get out there at state. We have wrestled well at state, our whole team has. We are just used to it and feel good with it.”

The Ponies’ success is all the evidence needed to backup Pribyl’s statement, especially with the current run Havre is on, winning the last three state championships and being considered a heavy favorite to capture a fourth this weekend at the All-Class state meet in Billings.

Yet, Havre head coach

Havre Daily News/File Photo The Havre High wrestling team claimed its 10th state championship under legendary head coach Scott Filius — and its fourth in a row. The Class A state title gave the Blue Ponies the second-most team titles in MHSA history with 13.

Scott Filius said he and his team don’t think about things like that. When asked what it would mean to the team and himself if the Ponies were able to win a fourth-straight title, which would tie a school record, the coach responded: “I guess I never really thought about it. We are just focusing on this year and have never really tried to put it into context. The kids do all they can and all they can win is this year.”

One thing that makes wrestling interesting, and

in particular, the state wrestling tournament interesting, is the fact that there are two definite kinds of pressure: Pressure on the team and pressure on the individual.

There will certainly be pressure on all the Ponies to win matches and titles to help the team win. Yet, some will also face the pressure of wrestling for a state championship, and seniors like Pribyl and Logan Pleninger, will be forced to confront the pressure of trying to win a state title their senior year, when they have each been

denied three times before.

“You have to treat it as just another match,” Pleninger said. “You have to go out there and do your job. You can’t get too excited for it because your worst enemy is yourself.”

Both Pribyl and Pleninger have been through the grind that is state wrestling and when each gets back on the big stage today, neither will be shaken because they have their experience to fall back on.

“That experience really helps,” Pleninger said. “All

you can do is keep learning from all those experiences.”

Talking about experience, few in the Havre lineup have more big-match experience than Parker Filius and Jase Stokes. Both are juniors are both are two-time individual champions with their sights set on a third state title.

The implications are obvious. If both Filius and Stokes can win state titles the next two seasons, they would the first four-time champions in the history of Havre wrestling, which is no small feat.

“I guess it will come down

to who wrestles first to find out who gets it,” Stokes said.

“I still have to wrestle and I will have tough matches, but I know I will do it. But, I still have to go out and wrestle.

“There is some pressure still,” he added. “But not like there has been like my freshman or sophomore year.

Everyone just goes out and scores points and that’s what we have been doing for the last three years.”

Yet, experience doesn’t necessarily mean much when you get out on the mat.

Sure, it might help you keep your head in a tough situation, but as Mike Tyson once said: “Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

The problem for the rest of Class A is that it’s usually Havre that comes out and lands the first blow. But there is a reason for that.

The Ponies don’t just win by accident, they win because of hard work and intense preparation. They win because they seem to handle the pressure better than any other team, and any other wrestlers out there. And they seem to handle the pressure of being expected to win, of being the best, time and time again.

“The state championship is always the goal,” coach Filius said. “That is the goal for every program that puts the time in. We have had a lot of success because we have had great kids, great parents and great administrators. We take these kids all over in the summer to wrestle and we put more pressure on ourselves than anyone.”

That’s why when many succumb to the pressure on the biggest stage in high school sports in Montana — and the Ponies never seem to. And this weekend in Billings, they should be expected to thrive on it once again, because after all, they have been doing it for decades.

6

2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2016 CLASS A

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2016

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Havre High has plenty of big guns in Billings Blue Ponies own the Mining City once again George Ferguson

Cody Lucke, Stevensville’s Ben Crews and a host of others, all of whom could walk away with the state title Saturday night.

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews. com Havre Blue Ponies have won three straight Class A state championships, and nine in the last 12 years. To say they’ve been dominant the last decade would be a gross understatement.

And, to say the Ponies are the prohibitive favorite this weekend at the 2016 Class A state tourney, which gets underway Friday morning in Billings, wouldn’t do justice to what the Ponies really are.

In reality, barring a natural disaster, the Ponies probably can’t be beat this year in Billings.

Yes, there are some good individuals and strong teams in Class A, just like every year, but no one, not Sidney, Columbia Falls, Laurel or Polson, has the top-end stars the Ponies do, and the depth to back them up. In other words, Havre is just too complete for the rest of this weekend’s field.

And with that in mind, here’s a complete breakdown of every Havre High wrestlers bracket at this weekend’s state tourney, which runs through Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

182 – Jase Stokes (40-3)

The

103 – Open The Blue Ponies didn’t have a 103-pounder this season, but, it hasn’t mattered much to Havre thus far. As for the bracket in Billings, as always, the division is wide-open and full of freshman. Polson has a pair of contenders in RJ Pierre and Mateo Quinones, while Eastern A champ Christian Dean of Sidney is another on to watch.

Stokes is Havre’s second wrestler on a mission to keep alive his chances of being a four-time state champion. He captured the 170-pound title a year ago, and going into this weekend, he hasn’t lost a match to a Class A opponent. Stokes beat Hardin’s Connor Murdock in last week’s Eastern A championship, and a rematch in the state title bout is expected. But, Stevi’s Mason Griffin and Frenchtown’s Cole Jones will also be factors in the draw.

Stokes opens the state tourney with Polson’s Nolan Humphrey.

205 – Tyler Schaub (37-7)

Havre Daily News/File Photo Havre High senior Logan Pleninger came up just short in his quest for the 132-pound Class A state championship with a 2nd place finish. Pleninger was one of the seven Blue Ponies who are ranked No. 1 in their weight class heading into the All-Class state tournament at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. have a few returning state placers, including Lewistown rival Caleb Birdwell, but for the most part, Wilkie has beaten everybody in the bracket this season.

Still, the road to a championship is never easy, and the likes of Sidney’s Wyatt Van Buren and Frenchtown’s Owen Ireland will certainly try to keep the outstanding Wilkie from winning his first state title. Wilkie opens the tournament with Whitefish’ Sidney Cooke.

113 – Ryan Stewart (3013)

126 – Lane Paulson (11-10)

A top-ranked wrestler for much of the season, Stewart fell to fourth at last weekend’s Eastern A. Still, Stewart, who finished third at 103 a year ago, will certainly be a factor this week. His main completion will come from both of his Glendive rivals in Ben Stortz, a defending state champ, and Travis Kinn, who finished third at 113 a year ago. Columbia Falls’ Winfield West is another top contender in the bracket. Stewart opens the tournament against Whitefish’ Taisuke Matsuo, and would face Kinn in the quarterfinals.

The Blue Ponies were open much of the season at 126 pounds, but sophomore Lane Paulson moved up and filled that spot late in the season. And now, after a strong showing at the Eastern A, Paulson is in the state tournament. This week, however, Paulson is in a loaded draw, including Sawyer Degan of Belgrade, who is the star of the weight class. Three-time state placer Koltin Starkel of Dillon, as well as Sidney’s Jace Winter will also have a say in how things shake out. Paulson opens his first state tourney with Ben Windauer of Columbia Falls.

120 – Martin Wilkie (40-7) Wilkie has burst onto the scene as a freshman. Ranked No. 1 for much of the season, and now a divisional champ, Wilkie is probably the favorite in his weight class this week. The draw does

132 – Logan Pleninger (45-6) Pleninger has had a spectacular senior season, and after finishing third at 126 last year, he comes to Billings on a mis-

sion to capture a state championship in his final try. A three-time state placer already, Pleninger has been dominant throughout the year, but his road to a title won’t be easy. He and Laurel’s Clayton Carter waged a great battle at last weekend’s Eastern A and a rematch in the state final is expected. But, they both must also watch out for returning state placer Brady Gorder of Sidney, as well as Polson’s Cameron Brown, who comes into the tournament undefeated.

Pleninger squares off against Whitefish’ Rob Bertelsen in the first round.

As a freshman, Schroeder impressed at the state tourney, but in his return as a sophomore, he’s in a bracket that includes the unbeatable Jarrett Degan of Belgrade, who’s gunning for a fourth straight state championship. The bracket also includes returning state placers Mason Fetters of Columbia Falls and Cody Warner of Frenchtown so the road to the podium will be a tough one for Schroeder, who opens the tournament with Fetters.

ment after a good showing at last week’s Eastern A. And his goal to get on the podium is a very realistic one.

He’s in Filius’ bracket, and he’ll have to watch out for Wickens, Koffman and Blanchard, but Laux certainly has the opportunity to be one of the surprises for the Blue Ponies this weekend. He opens the tournament against Corvallis’ Kye McCollaum.

152 – Parker Filius (43-4)

138 – Kody Pribyl (22-12)

Going for his third straight state championship, the incomparable Filius has lost just two matches in his own weight class all season long. And don’t expect anyone to really challenge him this weekend. Though a wrestler can’t take any opponent lightly at the state tourney, Filius is the clear favorite, as there are no returning state placers in his bracket.

His biggest challenges will likely come from Eastern A opponents Alex Wickens of Lewistown and Bridger Coffman of Sidney, as well as Frenchtown’s Jon Blanchard, but overall, there’s not much that can stop Filius this week. He opens the state tourney with Frenchtown’s Hunter Allen.

Last year in Billings, Flammond burst onto the scene with a third place finish at 138 pounds. Now up to 160, he comes to Billings as the top-ranked wrestler in his bracket, and an Eastern A champion. The junior’s goal is a state championship in a bracket that features no other returning state placers. Flammond’s main competition will come from Dillon’s Patrick Griffin, as well as Eastern A rivals Tyler Klapp of Glendive and Chad Lander of Lewistown, but the bracket is certainly Flammond’s for the taking. Flammond begins his quest against Malik Heydon of Whitefish.

Priybl is another HHS senior out to grab his first state championship. He’s also a three-time state placer, including a fourth-place finish up at 152 a year ago. Dropping down this year, Pribyl has been outstanding for much of the season, and he was at last weekend’s Eastern A. Returning state placers Caleb Gravelin of Columbia Falls and Brent Tezak of Dillon are also in the mix, as is Billings Central’s Pat Comstock. But, this is another weight class where Havre has high expectations. Pribyl starts his march toward a state title with Hamilton’s James Bess.

145 – Jazz Schroeder (2124)

152 – Jared Laux (13-8) Laux is returning to the state tourna-

160 – Dane Flammond (32-9)

170 – Open The Blue Ponies didn’t get a 170-pounder through to state, marking the second weight class they’ll be open this week.

And that’s good news for the likes of Lewistown’s Wyatt Blythe, Browning’s

Schaub, a returning state placer from a year ago, has had a brilliant sophomore season. Ranked No. 1 for much of the year, Schaub lost a heartbreaker to Sidney’s Hunter Severson in last week’s Eastern A final. And those two are expected to be the top two contender for the 205-pound crown this week in Billings. However, the Western A has contenders as well, including Hamilton’s Justin Hinson, who’s lost just once this season, as well as returning state placer Mike Corrigan of Polson. Schaub will have to go through Hinson to get to the state final, and while his draw is one of the tougher ones in the tournament, he’s certainly ready to win a state championship in Billings. Schaub opens the tournament with Dillon’s Matt Stafford.

205 – JayR Caplette (3-4) Caplette didn’t see much varsity action this season, but he made the most out of his opportunity at the Eastern A. He’s in a loaded draw, with Schaub, Severson and Hinson, and he has to battle Corrigan in the first round. But, Caplette is another Blue Pony who, in the end, could make a surprise run to the podium this weekend.

HWT – Travis Adams (38-3) Adams, who’s been nearly unstoppable this season, is a heavy favorite to repeat as a state champion, after dominating the weight class a year ago. He hasn’t lost to a Class A opponent since his sophomore season, and Belgrade rival Bryce Blumenschien, who Adams beat for the state championship last year, and again at the Eastern A last weekend, is considered the second-best heavyweight in the draw. So, there’s no doubt Adams is a very clear favorite again this week, but Whitefish’ Steven Quimby and Corvallis’ Garrett Hunt could also make some noise. Adams has a bye in the first round and will face either Polson’s Nick Marquardt or Hardin’s Grant Scalpcane in the quarterfinals.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Mining City Duals are always highly competitive, especially with every Class AA wrestling team in attendance.

But once again, the Havre Blue Ponies made it look easy as they won their third consecutive championship in Butte.

During the two-day tournament in Butte, Havre posted a perfect 7-0 record and won all six of its matchups with Class AA schools. HHS locked up the title, its sixth overall in the event, by knocking off Billings Skyview in the

championship round 49-21 Saturday.

“The kids wrestled great,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “It was a lot of fun.

You find out a lot about each other when you travel together and I think that we have a great group of kids. We brought our junior varsity kids with us and they all got matches, and this group is fun to be around, these kids carry themselves very well.”

After easily dispatching of their group opponents Friday, defeating Missoula Hellgate 53-15, Belgrade 51-18 and Helena Captial 43-28, the Ponies turned their attention to the single-round elimination

tournament, which started Saturday.

HHS opened the day with a win over Kalispell, 42-27 and then dispatched of Billings Senior 40-24 in the quarterfinals. The Ponies then cruised to a 29-point win over Missoula Sentinel, the team favored in Class AA this season, winning 43-14, before defeating Billings Skyview by 28 points to clinch the third consecutive Mining City triumph. With the 7-0 weekend, the Ponies have won 21 straight duals at the tournament.

Havre got a number of standout individual performances but some of the best

came from Travis Adams (heavyweight), Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) and Jase Stokes (185), who all posted perfect 7-0 marks over the two days.

Parker Filius also had a solid weekend, posting a 6-1 record. Filius, a two-time state champion, is rarely defeated, but lost at the hands of Jarrett Deegan in the 152-pound weight class Friday when Havre defeated Belgrade. Deegan, who is committed to wrestle at Virginia Tech, defeated Filius 3-2 in a hard-fought battle between a pair of elite talents.

“It was great for both of those guys,” Scott Filius

said. “A lot of times they will go through a whole weekend without really being challenged, so it was beneficial for both of them.”

Dane Flammond (160), Logan Pleniger (132) and Martin Wilkie (120/126) also finished with 6-1 records for the Ponies. Ryan Stewart (120 pounds) and Kody Pribyl (138) each lost twice, while Jazz Schroeder (145), Kollin Nystrom(145) and Walter White (170) all contributed to the winning effort with at least one victory over the course of the tournament.

“We were open at 103 and 113,” Filius said. “We moved our little guys up and those

guys really did a great job.

They really wrestled well for us and all of our kids put out great effort.”

After taking on some of the top competition the state of Montana had to offer this past weekend, the Ponies will turn their attention to an even bigger meet as they will take part in the Tri-State Wrestling tournament for the second straight year in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

“We are going to see some of the best kids from Oregon, Washington and Idaho,” Filius said. “So it’s the best possible tournament that we can wrestle at.”

Pony wrestlers star on the big stage Havre places seven at the prestigious Tri-State tournament in Idaho Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team has never been afraid of a challenge. And this past weekend, the Blue Ponies got one.

The Blue Ponies, who traveled to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to take part in the prestigious Tri-State wrestling tournament, more than held their own at the meet, placing seven wrestlers within the top seven in their weight class in the two-day meet that features top wrestlers from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana.

In the team competition, the Ponies put together a very respectable sixth-place showing, especially when considering that they were open at five weight classes. Post Falls, Idaho, came away with its second consecutive championship at the meet with 212.5 points. Hermiston was second with 188 points, Lake Stevens had 162 to finish third, Central Valley was fourth with 160 points, Orting was fifth with 155 points and HHS was sixth with 150.5 points.

"I was really pleased with the kids," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "We had a great weekend. We had 10 kids that went over there with us and all of them got great experience. They all got beat in at least one match and so, yeah, I was really pleased with kids. We left a

few points on the table and had a couple of matches that we wish we could have back, but the first two teams, we just don't have enough depth to compete with them, but we can compete with the other teams.

The kids did well and it was a fun weekend."

Last year, the Ponies brought just a handful of wrestlers to the meet but still acquitted themselves well.

Havre did something it was unable to do a year ago and that is get a wrestler into the finals, which Parker Filius achieved at 152 pounds.

Filius, who finished fourth at the meet a year ago, finished second after a narrow defeat at the hands of Dante Springsteen of Bethel, who defeated the two-time state champion by way of a 3-2 decision.

The Ponies started the tournament with an impressive day Friday, as eight of Havre's 10 wrestlers found their way into the quarterfinals and four into the semifinals in Parker Filius, Tyler Schaub, Martin Wilkie and Ryan Stewart.

"I was really impressed with some of the younger kids," coach Filius said. "Ryan Stewart, Wilkie and Schaub they all did a really great job."

In the end, only Filius made the final, but Havre had three finish in the top four, and five finish in the top five. After Filius, the next best finisher was Jase Stokes, who was fourth at 182 pounds after a 3-2 defeat the consolation final by Bob Coleman of Hermiston. Schaub also finished fourth after losing a 7-0 decision to John Henry-Line of Hermiston.

Stewart, who wrestled at 106 pounds for Havre, finished fifth after a win by injury default. Wilkie also finished fifth in the 120-pound class thanks to a 8-1 decision over

Steven Kindya. Logan Pleninger, who wrestled at 132 pounds, finished seventh for the Ponies as did Travis Adams in the heavyweight division.

Kody Pribyl, who wrestled at 138 pounds. Dane Flammond, who wrestled at 160 and Walter White, who manned the 170 spot, all registered multiple wins for Havre, despite not placing.

"It's huge for us," Filius said.

"You have college coaches there, Oregon State was there, there were junior college scouts there talking to some of the parents and some of the kids. You see kids all the way from Seattle and down it Oregon, so it was really a neat environment.

It's an eye-opener for our kids."

The Ponies will be off for the holiday break and will return to action for a meet in Bozeman on Jan. 2.

Tri-State

TEAM SCORES — 1, Post Falls 212.5. 2, Hermiston 188. 3, Lake Stevens 162. 4, Central Valley 160. 5, Orting 155. 6, Havre 150.5. 7, Moses Lake 141.5. 8, Colville 138. 9, Sentinel 134.

10, University 118.5. 11, Lakeland 118. 12, Tahoma 111. 13, Mead 107. 14, Bethel 106. 15, Edmonds-Woodway 99.5. 16, Mt. Spokane 96.5.

17, East Valley 91.5. 18, Kuna 91. 19, Coeur d’Alene 86. 20, North Central 77. 21, Kelso 73.

22, Sandpoint 70.5. 23, Lakeside 63. 24, Freeman 62.5. 25, Deer Park 60.5. 26, Kentridge 50.

27, Snohomish 49.5. 28, Polson 49. 29 (tie), Graham-Kapowsin, Shadle Park 46. 31, Tonasket 44. 32, Vashon Island 43. 33, Royal 38. 34, Lewiston 37. 35, Union 36. 36, Reardan 32. 37 (tie), Kellogg, Libby 27. 39, Darrington 26. 40, Lake City 25. 41, Richland 24. 42, Ferris 23. 43, La Grande 21. 44, Kent-Meridian, Potlatch 18.

46, Priest River 17. 47 (tie), Liberty Bell, Mission, Moscow, Quincy 13. 51, Timberlake 11. 52, St. Maries 9.5. 53, Meadowdale 9. 54, Inglemoor 8.

55, Bonners Ferry 7. 56 (tie), Frenchtown, Liberty Spangle 4. 58, Northwest Christian 2. 59 (tie), Chiawana, Juanita, Mary Walker, Omak, Othello, Riverside, Selkirk, Wapato, Washington 0.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES 98 — Ridge Lovett, Post Falls, d. William Edelblute, Lakeland, 7-0. 106 — Ethan Rotondo, Union, p. Jordan Grimm, Post Falls, 3:03. 113 — Alex Cruz, Orting, d. Derek Freitag, Kentridge, 6-4. 120 — Nick Hara, Moses Lake, d. TJ Baun, Colville, 13-9. 126 — Bryson Beard, Central Valley, d. Clai Quintallia, North Central, by injury default. 132 — Dalton Young, Lakeside, d.

Cooper McCullough, Moses Lake, 3-0. 138 — Jake Douglas, Lake Stevens, d. Tyler Wolf, Post Falls, 3-2. 145 — Alius De La Rosa, Post Falls, d. Trysten Perales, Lake Stevens, 5-2. 152 — Dante Springsteen, Bethel, d. Parker Filius, Havre, 3-2. 160 — Mason McDaniel, EdmondsWoodway, d. Malachi Lawrence, Lake Stevens, 4-3. 170 — Trey Meyer, East Valley, d. Michael Soler, Lake Stevens, 3-1. 182 — Casey Randles, Sandpoint, md. Levi Meinzinger, University, 10-2. 195 — Levi Perry, Kuna, md. Sebastian Hyta, Freeman, 13-4. 220 — Samuel Colbray, Hermiston, d. Trevor Eicher, Deer Park, 3-2. 285 — Hunter Mullins, Orting, p. Nick Workman, Richland, 3:05.

Graham-Kapowsin, 1:57. 106 — Ryan Stewart, Havre, d. Mitchell Martinez, EdmondsWoodway, by injury default. 113 — Trent Baun, Colville, d. Everett Pierce, Deer Park, 3-2. 120 — Martin Wilkie, Havre, d. Steven Kindya, North Central, 8-1. 126 — Alec Hoover, Mt. Spokane, d. Braydon Huber, Post Falls, 5-1. 132 — Cam Sorensen, University, d.

Trevor Peterson, Tonasket, 4-0. 138 — Bridger Beard, Central Valley, d. Dylan Lockwood, Coeur d’Alene, 1-0. 145 — Riley Seward, Edmonds-Woodway, d. Bryden Uyehara, Shadle Park, 2-1. 152 — Chandler Paulson, Sentinel, d. Cristian Hunter, Mead, 2-0. 160 — Chance Stack, Sentinel, d. Ryley Smith, Colville, 11-9.

170 — Hudson Mauseth, Moses Lake, d. Vince Rey, Coeur d’Alene, 7-3. 182 — Josey Anderson, Reardan, p. Dylan Morris, Moses Lake, 1:14. 195 — Tele Seemann, Colville, p. Spencer Schultz, Edmonds-Woodway, 3:52. 220 — Tim Jarrad, Lakeside, p. Evan Barger, Orting, 2:30.

285 — Ethan Goss-Dickey, Mission, d. Kenny Marll, Orting, 11-9.

THIRD-FOURTH PLACE 98 — Chase Tebbets, Mead, d. Jacob Bennett, Lake Stevens, 4-0. 106 — Blake Haney, Mt. Spokane, d. Trevor Morrison, Colville, 2-1. 113 — Bryce Miller, Kelso, d. Liam Tarvin, Hermiston, 1-0. 120 — Jake Howerton, Mt. Spokane, d. Bridger Wenzel, Polson, 6-2. 126 — Larry Johnson, Lakeland, d. Nick Whitehead, Tahoma, 5-2. 132 — Jason Burchell, Post Falls, d. Justin Sipilla, Tahoma, 4-1. 138 — Dylan Duffalo, Sentinel, d. Ryden Fu, Tahoma, 5-4. 145 — Breadon Orrino, Central Valley, d. CJ Hendon, Hermiston, 9-3. 152 — Dusty Jones, Kuna, d.

Bryce Hoisington, Vashon Island, by injury default. 160 — Phillip Springsteen, Bethel, d. Zach Stratton, Central Valley, 9-2. 170 — Bryar Newbary, Sentinel, p. Logan Nelson, Vashon Island, 1:40. 182 — Bob Coleman, Hermiston, d. Jase Stokes, Havre, 3-2. 195 — John-Henry Line, Hermiston, d. Tyler Schaub, Havre, 7-0. 220 — Mason McKenzie, Darrington, d. Erik Jacobson, Orting, 6-1. 285 — Avyion Fisher, Bethel, p. Wyatt Gardner, Snohomish, 2:20.

SEVENTH-EIGHTH 98 — Chandler Axtell, Lakeland, p. Markus Johnson, Lake Stevens, 2:44. 106 — Kreede Peterson, Kuna, tf. Tim Westbrook, University, 15-0. 113 — Ryan McGhee, Kelso, d. Mathias De La Rosa, Post Falls, 4-2. 120 — Bryce Gardner, Central Valley, md. Sidat Kanyi, EdmondsWoodway, 13-3. 126 — Andy Wagner, Hermiston, md. Mason Eaglin, Graham-Kapowsin, 9-1. 132 — Logan Pleninger, Havre, d. Lane Holland, Graham-Kapowsin, 6-1. 138 — Logan Sundheim, East Valley, d. Jace Kovalicky, Sentinel, 6-0. 145 — Cole Wallen, Potlatch, d. Ben Gore, Orting, 10-4. 152 — Wyatt Butler, Snohomish, d. Braden Gamble, University, 3-2. 160 — Joel Torres, Moses Lake, d. Isaiah Shores, Kentridge, 5-2. 170 — Brock McDonough, Hermiston, d. Darrin Miller, Royal, by forfeit. 182 — Jared Walker, Lakeland, p. Iche Ramirez, Quincy, 1:18. 195 — Keaton Flannigan, Mead, d. Dagen Kremer, Tahoma, by injury default. 220 — Antonio Brown, Lakeland, d.

John Keiser, Central Valley, by injury default.

285 — Travis Adams, Havre, p. Justin Chase, Lewiston, :52.

FIFTH-SIXTH PLACE 98 — Buddy Doolin, Libby, p. Noah Cortez,

26

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2016

www.havredailynews.com

Blue Ponies win two on Bozeman mats Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre High wrestling team got back to business this past weekend in Bozeman, dualing three teams in its first action since the holiday break.

The Blue Ponies, who were in Bozeman for a triangular, wrestled well and won two of three duals that they competed in, notching wins over both Belgrade and Butte High by the scores of 42-28 and 44-18, respectively, while being defeated by Class AA’s No. 2 team, Bozeman, 36-32.

The dual loss at the hands of the Hawks was Havre's first dual defeat all season.

But one thing that worked against the Ponies was that they had wrestlers at just 10 of the 13 weight classes, while Bozeman sported a full lineup.

“I thought that we did well,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “It was good to get back on the mat after being off for a couple of weeks.

Bozeman got the better of us, we had too many kids on their back (getting pinned) so that kind of cost us and we were giving up three weights.

The kids are used to that and we usually stress that and overcome it, but that’s kind of why of you go do them (duals).”

After starting a day with the loss, Havre turned its attention to Butte High, another traditionally strong program in the Class AA ranks.

But this time, the Ponies came away with the 14-point victory thanks to victories by Ryan Stewart (103 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (138 pounds), Parker Filius (152 pounds), Dane Flam-

mond (160 pounds), J a s e Stokes (182 pounds), T y l e r Schaub ( 2 0 5 pounds) and Travis Adams (heavyAdams weight).

The last three all earned pins for the Ponies.

A ft er Havre defeated the Bulldogs, the Ponies met Schaub up with Belgrade, its conference rival, in the final dual of the day. And while the dual between the two teams may not have been that excitStokes ing, it did provide everyone in attendance with one memorable match.

For the second time this season, Belgrade's Jarrett Degen, a three-time defending state champion at 138 pounds, moved up in weight to wrestle Parker Filius. And for the second time this season, the two waged a classic match, with Degen narrowly getting the better of Filius by the score of 3-1.

The match was so highly anticipated that no other

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

State Wrestling 2016

THE DRIVE FOR A 4-PEAT

Blue Ponies are locked and loaded for more Class A wrestling dominance Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews. com

Belgrade News Havre High's Parker Filius, right, locks up with Belgrade's Jarrett Degen during their highly anticipated rematch Saturday at the Bozeman High Duals in Bozeman. The Blue Ponies went 2-1, defeating both the Panthers and the Butte High Bulldogs in their return from the Christmas Break. matches took place while it was being held, giving everybody there a chance to watch. And after two periods, it looked like Filius might get the win as he earned an escape point to take a 1-0 edge into the final period. Yet, in the third, Degen tied the match with an escape point of his own and then finished

off the win with a two-point takedown with 1:31 remaining.

“It was a good match,” coach Filius said. “It was good for those guys to get another chance to compete.”

Yet, Parker Filius still had a good weekend posting a 2-1 record overall. Havre also had a number of wrestlers

that went through the triangular undefeated. Adams, Schaub and Stokes all went 3-0, while Pleninger, Flammond, Stewart and Wilkie all won two of three. Walter White and Jazz Schroeder also finished with one win apiece.

“You could tell that we had been off the mat for a

while,” coach Filius said.

“But, it will be nice to have those matches under our belt to start the second half of the season. And nobody got blanked, so it was good.”

Havre will be back in action this Friday and Saturday, when they will be in Cut Bank for the Cut Bank Invitational.

Cut Bank: "It's great for those younger kids to get some matches" ■ From Page 25 the team title.

Three of Havre’s individual champions from a season ago we will be back as Filius, Adams and Stokes are in the lineup again for Havre with Filius wrestling at 152 pounds, while Stokes will be at 182 and Adams will be a heavyweight.

Pleninger, who will wrestle at 132 pounds for Havre, took third at the meet last year. Schaub, who seems to get better every week, was fourth

7

2016 CLASS A

and will wrestle in the 205-pound weight class and Stewart, who was fifth a year ago, will be in his customary spot at 113 pounds.

The other individuals who will take part in the meet for the Ponies includes Wilkie, an impressive freshman, who will wrestle at 120 pounds, as well as Schroeder, who will man the spot at 145 pounds, Flammond, who will wrestle at 160 pounds and White, who will be at

170 pounds for HHS. And thanks to a rule that allows teams to have more than one wrestler in a weight class, coach Filius said nearly his entire team will be in attendance and that includes Lane Paulson at 120 pounds, Kolin Nystrom at 145 pounds, Taylor Gopher at 160 pounds, Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds and Jared Sienkowski as a heavyweight.

“It’s great for those younger kids

to get some matches,” Filius said.

“We got some young kids that are doing really well that aren’t in the regular lineup all the time but are getting better every day.”

The Cut Bank Invitational, which runs Friday and Saturday, is the start of the stretch run for the Ponies who, after this weekend, will have just three weeks left in the regular season leading up to the Eastern A Divisional that will take

place in Havre Feb. 6 and the AllClass State wrestling tournament in Billings Feb. 12-13.

“Right now the team is really just coming together,” Filius said.

“We are just trying to continue to get better. We want to try and peak for next week (Jug Beck) and then try to peak again at the end of the season.”

For the Havre High wrestling team, there really is only one meet that matters, one meet that defines its season — the Class A state tournament. And after waiting all season long for it, the Blue Ponies are dying to get the tournament started.

Havre will enter the tournament at the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings as the three-time defending Class A champs, shooting for a fourth-straight title, which would tie a school record.

After a historic 2015 tournament, in which the Ponies set the Class A record for points (297.5) and a school record for individual state champs (5), another historic weekend could be on tap.

HHS will hit the mats with the rest of its competitors at 10 a.m. Friday for the parade of athletes and from there, the matches will go on for two days until 13 individuals and one team is crowned state champions.

“We have been after it all year,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “So yeah, we are ready. We are prepared.”

Yet, as excited as the Ponies are to go to Billings and compete in the prestigious All-Class state meet, they will do so with heavy hearts. That is due to the recent death of Chinook wrestler Jesse Dannels, who was well-known and well-liked by the Hi-Line wrestling community.

“I don’t think it has affected our preparation,” Filius said. “We are prepared, but the wrestling family is a tight group and it’s just tough when you know someone is hurting.”

While Havre and the rest of the participants will be wrestling with Dannels in their hearts, when the action does get underway, Filius and the Ponies expect to dominate. In terms of challengers, if there are any serious ones, Havre doesn’t fear them.

“I think that if we show

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius, right, has already won two individual state championships and two Class A team titles in his career. And he and the Blue Ponies are heavily favored to win a lot more at the 2016 Class A state tournament. up,” Filius said. “Everything will take care of itself.”

Yet, in addition to having the chance to make some history as a team, two Havre wrestlers, juniors Parker Filius and Jase Stokes will be looking to get even closer to making history of their own.

Filius and Stokes, who have already won two individual state titles each, will both be going for their third consecutive title this weekend. And if successful, both wrestlers would be just one title away from becoming four-time state champions, which is something that has never been done in the history of Havre wrestling and has only been done 28 times statewide.

“It will be a lot of fun,”

coach Filius said. “I have been dragging those two around for years. They have been a pleasure to work with.

They are very coachable, they work hard and they compete well. If they have a chink in their armour, we haven’t found it yet.”

Parker Filius will be looking to win his title in the 152-pound weight class, while Stokes will do so at 182 pounds.

“We talk about it a lot,” Stokes said. “Havre has never had one before and I think it would cool if we could get two in the same year (2017). It’s definitely a lot of motivation to get that third one, so you can at least have the chance to get the fourth.”

However, Havre has anoth-

er returning champion in senior Travis Adams, who will be looking to win the heavyweight class for the second consecutive year. And he is not the only other title contender for the Ponies as Ryan Stewart (113 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Dane Flammond (160 pounds) and Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) all have legitimate chances to make a run at an individual crown.

“We are taking 13 kids down there,” Filius said. “And I think we have nine that have a really good chance to be wrestling on Saturday night.

Now, how late they will be wrestling on Saturday night will be determined. But, I do

think that all 13 of our kids are capable of wrestling on Saturday.”

In addition to those nine wrestlers, eight of whom placed at state a year ago with Wilkie being the lone exception as a freshman this season, Havre also has Jazz Schroeder back at 145 pounds. Schroeder, a sophomore won a match at state last season and is the 10th Havre wrestler with previous state experience.

The other three wrestlers competing, Lane Paulson (126 pounds), Jared Laux (152 pounds) and JayR Caplette (205 pounds) are all state first-timers.

Even though there may not be many teams that can contend with the depth of

the Ponies, there are a few, such as Columbia Falls, the Western A champion, Polson, the Western A runner up and Sidney, the Eastern A runner up, that have some horses.

Yet, in the end, if the meet is anything less than a Havre romp, it will be a surprise.

And with the team competition expected to be less than riveting, one of the more significant storylines of the weekend for Havre will be whether seniors Pleninger and Pribyl, each three-time placers at state, can cap their careers with individual titles.

“It’s extremely important,” Pleninger said. “That is one of the goals that I have not completed in my career and that’s what I’m shooting for this year, it to complete that.”

“It would mean a lot,” Filius said of Pleninger and Pribyl winning individual titles. “We have taken those kids all over the country and you invest so much in them that you want to see them do that. But yeah, those are two kids that I care very much about how they leave the sport.”

Whoever wins and whatever happens, there is no doubt that the Ponies have waited long enough for the state tournament to arrive and that they are ready to get back on the mats at the Metra.

“This group of kids has been fun,” Filius said. “They have worked really hard and now it’s time for them to go do what they set out to do, it’s what every team competing has set out to do.”

The first round matches at the All-Class state wrestling meet with commence Friday at 10:10 a.m. The Championship round will close out the tournament on Saturday at approximately 3:15 p.m.

8

2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Hi-Line Athlete Profile

All in the family for HHS's Schaub Chris Peterson

February 2016

Chris Peterson

The Havre High wrestling team has always enjoyed itself at the Cut Bank Invitational, but after winning 13 consecutive team titles at the event, it would be hard not to.

This weekend, the Blue Ponies will make their annual trip to Cut Bank, where they will look to win a 14th straight title in a tournament that includes teams from all four classifications. Things will get underway Friday and conclude Saturday.

“I think that it says that we wrestle well coming out of the break,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of his program’s run in Cut Bank.

“There have been some great tournaments down there, sometimes we have

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High sophomore Tyler Schaub, right, has had an outstanding season for the Blue Ponies. But his quest is nowhere near over, as he guns for an individual state championship in Billings.

Jase Stokes, a junior on the Havre wrestling team and a two-time state champ in his own right.

While it may be difficult for Schaub to supercede Stokes’ achievements on the mat, like he is hoping to do with Casey’s, one area where he may give Stokes a run for his money is as a prankster.

“Yeah, we play pranks on each other all the time at home,” Schaub said. “But he’s helped me get better.

He used to be way better (at wrestling) than me, but now

we are pretty much equal.

He has taught me a lot.”

Stokes also weighed in on the home life of his and Schaub’s and when asked if the two at all resembled Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in the movie “Step Brothers,” Stokes responded: “Oh yeah. We have bunk beds and stuff, and we wrestle around the house all the time.”

One thing that Stokes and Schaub have in common is that both have a chance to win an individual state title, while at the same time help-

ing the Ponies capture their fourth consecutive team championship this weekend in Billings.

That quest begins Friday at the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings, but, before the Ponies hit the road to defend their title, the Havre Daily News caught up with Schaub for five questions.

HDN: What is your mindset going to state this year?

Schaub: “I am going there to win it.”

HDN: What do you think will the biggest key for you to do that?

Schaub: “I just have to keep working the whole match at a high pace.”

HDN: Which sport is your favorite, football or wrestling and why?

Schaub: “Wrestling. I like that you can’t blame anyone else but yourself when you lose and when you win, you know you are better than the other guy.”

HDN: So how does it feel to get a pin?

Schaub: “It lets you know that you are way better than that guy.”

HDN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about state wrestling?

Schaub: “Just all of the people. It’s great how everyone comes down to support us and cheer us on.”

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Pony matmen look for more in Cut Bank Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews. com

Havre Daily News

It’s no secret that wrestling is a tradition in Havre.

There is a long history of great individual wrestlers and great wrestling families and one person that has a chance to fit into both categories is Tyler Schaub.

Schaub, who is currently a sophomore at Havre High, has already proven to be a standout on the mat for the Blue Ponies. Last year, as a freshman, Schaub won an individual title at the Central A Divisional and finished fourth in the Class A state tournament.

So in terms of being a great wrestler and being part of a great wrestling family, Schaub is well on his way and one reason for that is his older brother Casey Schaub, who starred in football and wrestling for HHS. The older Schaub was a four-time medalist at state for the Ponies back in his day and in 2012, he captured an individual state title in the old 189-pound weight class. Tyler also looks to become a four-time medalist just like his older brother, but if he has it his way, he will get his individual title much sooner, as in this weekend at the All-Class State wrestling meet in Billings.

“I want to get at least two state titles,” the younger Schaub said. “That way I can show him up.”

And with the way that he has wrestled so far this season, posting a record of 39-8 and finishing second in the Eastern A Divisional, it wouldn’t be shocking if he did bring home an individual title this season or multiple titles down the road.

Yet, even if Schaub did that, the two-sport standout, who also excels at defensive end for the football team, still might not have the best wrestling resume in his own home.

That’s because in addition to having Casey Schaub, a former state champion as a brother, Tyler Schaub is also a step-brother to

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had some easy ones and sometimes it’s been a barn burner.”

Coming into the tournament, Havre will be heavily favored competing against teams such as Kalispell (Flathead), Lewistown, Cut Bank, Choteau and Chinook, the Class C state champs.

And one reason why is that it’s been another dominant season thus far for the defending state Class A state champions.

HHS has won all but one tournament it’s entered this season and has just one loss in dual competition.

“I think it will be a lot like last year,” Filius said. “Flathead probably has the most complete team. Glasgow is getting more competitive and Choteau is always tough. Then you will have Lewistown and Cascade and Chinook, who will probably be as tough as any of the oth-

ers.”

Individually, the Ponies don’t have any wrestlers with spotless records at this point, but Havre does boast a few individuals with only a handful of losses to their credit such as Parker Filius, Jase Stokes, Travis Adams, Logan Pleninger, Tyler Schaub and Ryan Stewart.

Dane Flammond, Martin Wilkie, Jazz Schroeder and Walter White have also won their share of matches.

Despite having a few open weights on their varsity roster, the Ponies should have plenty of confidence going back to Cut Bank, especially with the way the team wrestled in the invite last year.

Havre crowned five individual champions in the 2015 version and had five others who placed as HHS finished with 238 points to capture

n See Cutbank Page 26

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February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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BEASTS OF THE EAST HAVRE'S 2016 EASTERN A INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

Ponies romp to yet another divisional title New division, same result for Havre High wrestling team Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

Coming into Saturday’s Eastern A Divisional, the Havre High wrestling team had won 13 straight divisional championships. But those titles were Central A titles.

This was the first year the East and the Central combined for one, 11-team tournament.

The name and the competition may have been different, but the result was the same. Havre dominated the competition and won its 14th straight divisional crown with 273.5 points. The Blue Ponies, who hosted the meet at the Havre High gymnasium, bested Sidney, which finished second with 216 points and Laurel, which was third with 202.

“I liked it, it was different, but it was fun,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of the new divisional format.

“I thought that having more teams and more kids made it more competitive and more of a challenge.”

In order to advance to the state tournament, individuals had to finish eighth or better in their weight class and in that respect, 13 of Havre’s 16 wrestlers were able to make it through and will have the chance to compete in Billings at the All-Class state meet later this week.

Of the 13 wrestlers who placed for the Ponies, seven of them were individual champions: Martin Wilkie (126), Logan Pleninger (132), Kody Pribyl (138), Parker Filius

(152), Dane Flammond (160), Jase Stokes (182) and Travis Adams (HWT) all took home individual titles for Havre, while Tyler Schaub finished second at 205 pounds and Ryan Stewart was fourth at 113 pounds.

The other wrestlers who placed for Havre were Lane Paulson and Jared Laux, who finished sixth at 126 and 152 pounds, respectively, JayR Caplette, who was seventh at 205 pounds, and Jazz Schroeder, who was eighth at 145 pounds.

“I was pleased with how the kids wrestled,” Filius said. “Some of the kids thought that they tried to do too much and sometimes that happens in big matches.

But it was a good experience for us.”

Havre dominated the final round, winning more than half of the weight classes.

The Ponies also provided some of the most exciting matches of the round.

First, at 120 pounds, Wilkie, a freshman, continued what has been an impressive season with a last second 5-2 victory over Caleb Birdwell of Lewistown. The match was tied in the closing seconds when Wilkie scored a three-point near fall with time expiring to earn the victory.

Then, in the 132-pound final, Havre senior Pleninger won his last home match in impressive fashion, earning a pin over Laurel’s Clayton Carter in 4:41. The match was close throughout, until Pleninger locked Carter into a classic cradle with no escape.

“It was awesome to have my last match at home be a win,” Pleninger said. “And that will probably be the state championship match next week, so it was good to get a little preview.”

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High's Jase Stokes, right, lifts a Hardin rival during the 182-pound semifinals of the Eastern A Divisional wrestling tournament at the HHS gymnasium. Stokes was one of seven individual champions for the Blue Ponies, who captured their 14th straight divisional title under head coach Scott Filius.

Up next, at 138 pounds, Pribyl finished off an impressive weekend with a 1:57 pin of Pat Comstock of Billings Central. Pribyl too employed a staple in Havre High’s wrestling arsenal to finish off a tough opponent.

“Right after I took him down, I didn’t wait,” Pribyl said. “I transitioned perfectly to a cross-face cradle, and I just didn’t waste any time.

“It feels really good winning it,” Pribyl added about the new Eastern A format. “It

was different with more kids here, it was more competition and a little bit tougher, but I think it sets kids up good at state.”

Parker Filius won his third divisional title with a 14-3 major decision over Alex Wickens of Lewistown, and Stokes did the same with a 4-1 decision in a highlycompetitive matchup with Hardin’s Connor Murdoch.

Tyler Schaub lost a hardfought bout with Sidney’s Hunter Severson at 205

pounds, but the Ponies closed out the day in style as Adams pinned Bruce Blumenschein in 3:34 in the last match of the tournament.

“We had some kids that came back after being on bottom going in the third period,” Filius said. “And that’s hard to do. That is something that we have been working on late in the season and today we did a good job of scoring when we were in that position. So it was good to see that pay off.”

Havre, the three-time defending state Class A champions, will be heavily favored to win a fourth straight this weekend in Billings, and coming out of divisionals, Filius said he feels good about the direction his team is headed.

“I like where we are at right now,” Filius said. “The kids are wrestling hard and they are competing hard. I think we are in good shape.”

The All-Class state meet will take place Friday and Saturday in Billings.

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2016 Eastern A Divisional Wrestling Results Pony matmen extend their reign in Cut Bank gan, BC; Consolation Final - Lost 11-1 dec.

Eric LaFrontaine, HAR.

Team scores: Havre 273.5, Sidney 216, Laurel 202, Hardin 179.5, Glendive 168, Lewistown 167.5, Belgrade 148, Billings Central 125, Browning 72, Livingston 71, Miles City 68.

- Connor Ludwig, LAU, dec. 3-1 Parker Dean, SID; 152 - Bridger Coffman, SID, 7-4 dec.

Cade Dockier, GLE; 160 - Dylan Loring, BRO, 7-6 dec. Tyler Clapp, GLE; 170 - Kyle Cannon, LAU, 9-2 dec. Gunnar Gillespie, SID; 182 Jon Jares, LAU, 4-2 dec. LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR; 205 - Braden Watson, BC, 5-2 dec.

Caid Dickman, MC; HWT - Cole Jesson, LIV, pinned Brandon Connolly, LAU, 2:07.

Championship - 103 - Christian Dean, SID, 9-1 dec. Adam Bankert, LIV; 113 - Travis Kinn, GLE, 4-0 dec. Ben Stortz, GLE; 120 - Martin Wilkie, HAV, 5-2 dec. Caleb Birdwell, LEW; 126 - Sawyer Degen, pinned Trey Sokoloski, GLE, 1:15; 132 - Logan Pleninger, HAV, pinned Clayton Carter, LAU, 4:41; 138 Kody Pribyl, HAV, pinned Pat Comstock, BC, 1:57; 145 - Jarrett Degen, BEL, pinned Brenden Roan, HAR, 3:25; 152 - Parker Filius, HAV, 14-3 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW; 160 - Dane Flammond, 9-0 dec. Chad Landers, LEW; Wyatt Blythe, LEW, pinned Cody Lucke, BRO, 1:06; Jase Stokes, HAV, 4-1 dec. Connor Murdoch, HAR; 205 - Hunter Severson, SID, 3-0 dec. Tyler Schaub, HAV; HWT Travis Adams, HAV, pinned Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:34.

Fifth Place - 103 - Wyatt Harmer, HAR, 6-5 dec. Austin Rollins, BEL; 113 - Matt Glennon, LAU, 6-0 dec. Jacob Morgan, BC; 120 - Bridger Grover, LEW, pinned Sean Comstock, BC, 3:43; 126 - Brandon Rockwell, BEL, pinned Lane Paulson, HAV< 2:09; 132 - Chase Farrer, LEW, pinned Issac Wippert, BRO, 0:59; 138 - Jace Johnson, SID, 10-0 dec.Avery Gurney, SID; 145 - Mason Fend, LAU, pinned Gabino Ramirez, BC; 152 - Justin Zier pinned Jaured Laux, HAV, 4:04; 160 - Quinton Drette, LIV, 17-5 dec. Tyler Laverty, LIV; 170 - Bradley Denton, LEW, 2-1 dec.

Brett McBurney, LAU; 182 - Bradley Boyce, LEW, pinned Josh Sundgren, MC, 3:00; 205 - Devyn Towner, BEL, pinned Uriah Turner, HAR; HWT - Grant Scalpcane, HAR 17-7 dec.

Kolton Wippert, BRO.

Third Place - 103 - Kaleb Ripley, LAU, pinned Josh Aisnebrey, SID, 0:36; 113 - Eric LoFontaine, HAR, 11-1 dec. Ryan Stewart, HAV; 120 - Tristan Syle, BEL, pinned Wyatt Vanburen, SID, 3:52; 126 - Jace Winter, SID, pinned Anthony James, GLE, 4:33; 132 - Brandon Held, GLE, 6-2 dec. Brady Gorder, SID; 145

Havre Individual Results

Quarterfinals - Pinned Jordan Shovar, LAU, 1:21; Semifinals - Pinned Bryce Roan, HAR, 1:11; Championship - Pinned Pat Comstock, BC, 1:57.

113 - Ryan Stewart (4th Place)

145 - Jazz Schroeder (8th Place)

Quarterfinals - 8-0 dec. Matt Glennon, LAU; Semifinals - pinned by Travis Kinn, GLE, 39; Consolation Semifinals - 8-0 dec. Jacob Mor-

First Round - Pinned by Mason Fend, LEW, 5:03: Consolation First Round - 16-0 technical fall Riley Weischedel, MC, Consolation

Eastern A at Havre High gymnasium

120 - Martin Wilkie (Champion)

Quarterfinals - Pinned by Gabino Ramirez, BC; 7th Place Match - Lost 8-4 dec. to AJ Ullmer, SID.

First Round - Pinned by Deon Gillen, LIVm 5:45; Consolation First Round - Pinned by Will Caprata, HAR.

First Round - pinned Trevor James, BRO, 1:21; Quarterfinals - pinned Cole Vandelinder, BC, 1:25; Semifinals - 12-2 dec. Tristan Slye, BEL; Finals - 5-2 dec. Caleb Birdwell, LEW;

145 - Kollin Nystrom

182 - Jase Stokes (Champion)

First Round - Pinned by Gabino Ramirez, BC; Consolation First Round - Pinned by AJ Ullmer, SID, 3:45;

126 - Lane Paulson (6th Place)

152 - Parker Filius (Champion)

Quarterfinals - Pinned Matt Fulton, GLE, 0:21; Semifinals - Pinned LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR, 1:41; Championship - 4-1 dec. Connor Murdoch, HAR.

Quarterfinals - lost 10-8 dec. Anthony James, GLE; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned Joe Murnion, MC; Consolation Semifinals Pinned by Jace Winter, SID; 5th-Place Match - Pinned by Brandon Rockwell, BEL.

Quarterfinals - Pinned Ben Harsha, HAR, 0:24; Semifinals - Pinned Bridger Coffman, SID, 0:14; Championship - 14-3 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW.

132 - Logan Pleninger (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Jacob Swipe, MC, 1:28; Semifinals - 8-0 dec. Brady Gorder, SID; Championship - Pinned Clayton Carter, LAU. 138 - Kody Pribyl (Champion)

152 - Jared Laux (6th Place) Quarterfinals - Lost 16-1 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW; Consolaton First Round - Pinned Justin New Breast, BRO, 2:41; Consolation Quarterfinals - Pinned Tanner Branstetter, LAU, 3:41; Consolation Semifinals - Pinned by Bridger Coffman, SID, 1:52; 5th Place Match - Pinned

by Justin Zier, HAR, 4:04.

160 - Dane Flammond - (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Larren Foust, SID, 0:45; Semifinals - 12-0 dec. Tyler Laverty, LIV; Championship - 9-0 dec. Chad Landers, LEW. 170 - Austin Ratliff

205 - Tyler Schaub (2nd Place) Quarterfinals - 11-0 dec. Zackery Wippert, BC; Semifinals - 13-1 dec. Braden Watson, BC; Championship - Lost 3-0 dec. Hunter Severson, SID. 205 - JayR Caplette (7th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Hunter Severson, SID, 1:46; Consolation Quarterfinals - Pinned

by Devyn Towner, BEL, 0:45; 7th Place Match - 11-4 dec. Zackery Wippert, BRO. 285 - Travis Adams (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Keegan Mires, GLE, 1:09; Semifinals - Pinned Cole Jesson, LIV, 3:27; Championship - Pinned Bryce Blummenschein, BEL, 3:34.

285 - Jared Sienkowski First Round - Pinned by Brandon Connolly, LAU, 2:50; Consolation First Round - Lost 5-3 dec. Kolton Wippert, BRO.

Havre High wins 14th straight Cut Bank team title, crowns three individual champs Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre High wrestling team knows a thing or two about winning the Cut Bank Invitational, and Saturday, they proved it once again by winning their 14th consecutive team title there.

The Blue Ponies racked up 235.5 points over the course of the two-day tournament and ended up beating out Kalispell Flathead for the team title by a healthy margin. Flathead was second with 198 points, while Eureka was third with 196. Chinook also finished seventh with 114 points.

“It was a good weekend,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “The kids went down and wrestled really well, so I was pleased with that. We had kids in 10 weights, because we are open in three weights, and we scored points in all 10 weights, so you can’t do better than that.”

Havre’s effort was spurred on by its three individual champions, Logan Pleninger, who won the 132-pound weight class, Parker Filius, who took first at 152 pounds and Travis Adams, who won the heavyweight division.

Filius took home the title with a technical fall over Alex Wickins of Lewistown, while Pleninger won a 5-2 decision over Cole Giles of Fairfield/Simms. Adams won his championship match by

pinning Justin Pfeifer of Cut Bank in 3:47.

In addition to three firstplace finishers, the Ponies had four other wrestlers that reached the finals and settled for second. Martin Wilkie finished second at 120 pounds after falling to Trae Vasquez by way of a 15-1 decision. At 160 pounds, Dane Flammond lost a 6-0 decision to Taner Stone of Choteau to finish second, while Jase Stokes lost a 3-2 decision to Steeler French of Choteau to also place second at 182 pounds. And at 205 pounds, Tyler Schuab was a runner-up after losing 7-5 to Hunter Mycke of Conrad.

“Jase lost a tough match to French,” Coach Filius said.

“He had a call go against him right at the end, but he will get another chance to see him here in a couple weeks.”

When the tournament was all said and done, Havre had a total of 10 wrestlers that managed to place as Ryan Stewart finished third at 113 pounds, while Jazz Schroeder and Jared Sienkowski finished sixth at 145 pound and heavyweight, respectively.

“I was really pleased with all of my young kids,” Filius said. “From my sophomores on down, they all did a great job.”

Chinook also had an impressive performance at the meet as Tate Niederegger won an individual title at 138 pounds. Ken Pruttis also finished third at 170 pounds, while Derek Bell was fourth at 160 pounds, as was Jesse Dannels, who was fourth at 192 pounds. Kevin Young also ended up sixth for the Sugarbeeters at 205 pounds.

The Ponies will be back in action this weekend when they will take part in one of the most highly-anticipated meets of the year in the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Clas-

Courtesy Photo Members of the Havre High wrestling team pose for a photo after winning the Cut Bank Invitational team title for the 14th year in a row at the Wille DeGroot Gymnasium in Cut Bank. Logan Pleninger, Parker Filius and Travis Adams all won individual titles for the top-ranked Blue Ponies. sic in Missoula. The tournament will take place Friday and Saturday.

“I think that right now we are hitting on all cylinders,” Filius said. “We have some finals and things coming up for school, so we will need to ease off a little bit, but we feel good about where we are at and we are excited for next weekend.”

Cut Bank Invitational Team scores – 1. Havre 235.5, 2. Flathead 198.5, 3. Eureka. 196, 4. Choteau 147.5, 5. Glasgow 145, 6. Fairfield-Simms 114, 7. Chinook 114, 8. Fergus 98.5, 9.

Cut Bank 91, 10. Whitefish 88

Championship matches 103: Chase DeBoo, Choteau d. Hunter Rush, Flathead, 1-0; 113: Matt Reyling, Glasgow p. Cody DeVall, Flathead, 5:11; 120: Trae Vasquez, Flathead md. Martin Wilkie, Havre, 15-1; 126: Trevor Moore, Choteau d. Trey Simanton, Malta, 13-6; 132: Logan Pleninger, Havre d. Cole Giles, FairfieldSimms, 5-2; 138: Tate Neideregger, Chinook d. Dawson Peterman, Fairfield-Simms, 5-3; 145: Cody King, Glasgow p. Connor DeBruycker, Ft Benton/Big Sandy, 2:51; 152: Parker Filius, Havre tf. Alex Wickins, Fergus, 5:51; 160: Taner Stone, Choteau d. Dane Flammond, Havre, 6-0; 170: Jace Berkram, Cut Bank d. Garrett Graves, Eureka, 11-5; 182: Steeler French, Choteau d. Jase Stokes, Havre, 3-2; 205: Hunter Mycke, Conrad d. Tyler Schaub, Havre, 7-5; 285: Travis Adams, Havre p. Justin Pfeifer, Cut Bank, 3:47 Third place

103 Gage Hallock, Glasgow p. Trisetan Kemp, Wolf Point, 2:01; 113 Ryan Stewart, Havre d. Bryce Shaffer - FLA, Renegade 1, 4-2; 120 Kahdan Bakkila, Eureka,

by Dflt over Caleb Birdwell, Fergus; 126 Jonathan Schmidt, Eureka d. Kasey Seyfert, Glasgow, 13-7; 132 Kenyon Fretwell, Flathead d. Chase Farrar, Fergus, 6-4; 138 James Dunn - LIN, Renegade 1 d.

Mick Reyling, Glasgow, 4-2; 145 Cannon Smith, Eureka, by inj. dflt. over Brooks Krause, Whitefish; 152 JR Seewald, Cut Bank p. Jarrett Pecora, Eureka, 2:07; 160 Ben Rauscher, Conrad d. Derek Bell, Chinook, 4-3; 170 Ken Pruttis, Chinook p. Konrad Zinke, Whitefish, 1:10; 182 Logan Wilson, Flathead p. Jesse Dannels, Chinook, 2:35; 205 Antonio Lopez, Malta p. Payton Boyce, Flathead, 5:21; 285 Denver Krone, Choteau d. Kaelan Yanak, Eureka, 3-1 Fifth place 103 – Andrew Paradise, CMR JV Dflt Matt Connelly, Valier; 113 – Pete Henderson,

Choteau M-Dec Shane Willekes - CHO, Renegade, 8-0; 120 – Quinn Whitmus, Wolf Point p. Tanner VandenBos, Valier, 1:44; 126 – Isaac Ramos, Valier md. Dillon Thorsteinson, Whitefish, 14-0; 132 – Colton Hillyard - FFS, Renegade 5 md.

Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, 14-3; 138 – Josh Schmidt, Eureka, p. James Buckley, Whitefish, 2:44; 145 – Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI p. Jazz Schroeder, Havre, 4:48; 152 – Jacob Anderson, Fairfield-Simms by fft. over Alex Hallock, Glasgow; 160 – Tucker Nadeau, Flathead md. Chad Landers, Fergus, 11-1; 170 – Matt Gash-Gilder, Flathead p. Anthony Wright - FLA, CJI, :39; 182 – James Slaughter, Fairfield-Simms d.

Austyn Sherwood, Eureka, 8-2; 205 – Joe Fehr, Eureka, p. Kevin Young, Chinook, 2:10; 285 – Steven Quimby, Whitefish p. Jared Sienkowski - HAV, Renegade 4, 1:36.

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Ponies look to summit the Rockies HHS wrestlers head to Rocky Mountain Classic following tonight's dual at Class AA CMR Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team is used to winning big tournaments.

In fact, the Blue Ponies are used to winning just about every tournament they enter, but this weekend, at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, Havre will face as big a challenge as it’s faced all season.

The meet, which is without a doubt the most prestigious high school meet in the state of Montana, outside the All-Class State wrestling tournament, starts Friday and will conclude Saturday with Missoula Sentinel High School serving as the host.

While the Ponies will be in Missoula Friday and Saturday competing against some of the best competition from Montana, Idaho,

Wyoming and Washington, they have a date with CMR for a dual today in Great Falls.

Havre is certainly familiar with CMR, just as the Rustlers are no stranger to the Ponies. The two teams have competed in a number of tournaments and even though they haven’t gone head-to-head in a dual, they are quite familiar with each other.

“We have seen them quite a bit,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of CMR. “They have a few good kids, but their good kids are at the same weights as some of our better kids.

In the past we have been able to win some of those. So I would think we would do pretty well against them, but they have gotten us a couple times down there in the past.”

There are no Class A rankings, but there are Class AA rankings and even though the Rustlers aren’t currently ranked as a team, they do have some high-ranking individuals.

No one on the Rustler team ranks higher than Nick Nordell, who is the top-ranked wrestler in the AA ranks in the 205-pound weight class.

He will face Tyler Schaub from Havre, which should be a compelling match.

The match between heavyweights should also be intriguing as Havre’s Travis Adams, who won an individual state title a year ago faces Noah Danielson, who ranks second in Class A in the heavyweight division.

The one advantage CMR has in the dual with Havre will be depth.

The Ponies will still have just 11 weight classes filled up and will have two open spots in the lineup.

Yet, Havre makes up for a lack of depth with an incredible amount of

Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds. Then, there is Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Kody Pribyl at 138 and Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds. At 152 pounds, the Ponies have Parker Filius, one of the top individuals in the state, followed by Dane Flammond at 160, Walter White at 170, Jase Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams at heavyweight.

After taking on the Rustlers tonight, the Ponies will turn their attention toward defending their crown the Rocky Mountain Classic,

"More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. Some have wrestled without great skill - none have wrestled without pride."

Dan Gable

talent and it starts at the top of the lineup and goes all the way down to Adams at the bottom.

Starting things off for Havre is Ryan Stewart at 113 pounds and

which starts Friday in Missoula. In all, there will be 38 teams present from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.

“This is the best meet in the state

of Montana,” coach Filius said. “I think it’s the second best one we go to, the Tri-State is the best, but this one has some great competition. You have the best teams from Montana and then a team like Powell, Wyoming, which has won some state championships and also teams from Spokane, which are usually very tough.”

Last year, the Ponies won the meet thanks to five finalists and eight wrestlers who placed. While Havre’s only individual champion at the meet a year ago moved on, both Filius and Stokes are back after losing in the finals. And on top of that, both Pleninger and Adams return to the tournament after third-place finishes a season ago, while Pribyl is back after finishing fourth.

“We try to build to this meet,” Filius said. “We have had a number of teams that have come in and for a number of reasons finished second. We only have guys in 11 of 13 weights, so that can be a factor. But, it would be a great achievement for the kids if we could do what we set out to do and win the tournament.

Havre will take on CMR today in Great Falls at 5, before heading to Missoula for the Rocky Mountain Classic, which begins Friday morning and concludes Saturday.

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It's Mat Time in Havre

Blue Ponies ready to rumble at home Havre High heavy favorites as the new Eastern A Divisional comes to the HHS gymnasium Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

For years, the Havre High wrestling team has dominated divisional wrestling tournaments. But that competition was the Central A divisional and, now, the Blue Ponies will be competing in the Eastern A Divisional, which is something altogether different.

The Eastern A tournament, which will be hosted

by Havre inside the HHS gymnasium Saturday starting at 9 a.m., is essentially a combination of the old Eastern A and Central A divisional tournaments. Instead of having five or six teams, there will be 11 in action and they will be competing for berths in the Class A state tournament next weekend.

“I will tell you in a couple days,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said about the changes. “But I was in favor of them. I think that it makes a better tournament, an actual tournament. Before we would have times where kids would hardly wrestle any matches at divisionals and that doesn’t seem right.

So I like the format, I think that it’s going to reward the teams that are the best and the deepest.

“I also think it will make the state tournament better,” he added. “That is one of the biggest reasons why I was in favor of it. A lot of times you had two of the best wrestlers facing each other in the semifinals and know you won’t see that happen as much.”

The increase in teams means an increase in competition. And in many years that would mean an eventual

2016 Eastern A Divisional Wrestling Tournament Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at the HHS gymnasium Teams: Havre, Belgrade, Livingston, Lewistown, Browning, Sidney, Glendive, Laurel, Hardin, Miles City, Billings Central.

At Stake: The top eight wrestlers in each weight class advance to the Class A state tournament next week in Billings. showdown between Havre and Sidney, the traditional powers in Class A wrestling for the team championship.

This season, though, Sidney is not quite as powerful as the Eagles have been in the past. Additionally, there are a number of up and coming teams in the Eastern A that will try to upend Havre, the prohibitive favorite to win it.

“I am not really sure about the Eastern teams because I haven’t seen them a whole lot,” Filius said. “Glendive and Laurel were probably the toughest teams that I saw. Miles City and Hardin were pretty tough too. I just don’t know about Sidney because we didn’t see them all year.”

Even though the format at divisionals is different, the goal for the Ponies is still the same and still twofold: win the team title and get all 16 of their individual wrestlers to quality for next week’s state tournament.

Of course the Ponies are in great shape to do just that with a lineup that is loaded with talent from top to bot-

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High's Jase Stokes, right, is one of three returning state champions for the top-ranked Havre Blue Ponies. HHS hosted the new Eastern A Divisional tournament. tom. In the lighter weights, the Ponies will be led by Ryan Stewart, who will wrestle at 120 pounds and freshman Martin Wilkie, who will look to continue his sensational season with a divisional championship.

Havre will be open at 126 pounds, but at 132 pounds, the Ponies will boast Logan Pleninger, the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class and a three-time medalist at state. At 138 pounds, Havre will put out another threetime medalist in Kody Pribyl. Manning the spot at 145 pounds will be sophomore

Jazz Schroeder.

As the Ponies move up in weight classes, their team becomes even stronger, starting with Parker Filius, a twotime state champion, who will compete at 152 pounds.

He will be followed by Dane Flammond at 160 pounds and Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds.

At 182 pounds, the second of Havre’s three individual state champions will wrestle Jase Stokes, who is a twotime state champ in his own right. At 205 pounds will be talented sophomore Tyler Schaub and in the heavyweight class is defending

state champ Travis Adams.

In addition to his normal varsity wrestlers, coach Filius gets to add four others to his roster this week: Kollin Nystrom, who will wrestle at 145 pounds, Jared Laux at 152, JayR Caplette at 205 pounds and Jared Sienkowski in the heavyweight class.

In order for individuals to qualify for the state meet, they must finish in the top eight in their weight class, something which Filius believes all of his kids are capable of doing.

“I think we have a good chance to get all our kids

through,” Filius said. “I don’t think changing the format will have anything to do with that, but I will let you know in a couple of days.”

The Eastern A Divisional meet, which features Havre, Belgrade, Livingston, Browning, Lewistown, Sidney, Glendive, Laurel, Hardin, Miles City and Billings Central, will start at 9 a.m., inside the HHS gymnasium. The finals should take place at approximately 3-4 p.m. Wrestlers who qualify advance to next week’s state tourney in Billings.

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Blue Ponies dominate Malta Invite mats Rocky Mountain Champs, again Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

In their final wrestling meet of the regular season, the Havre Blue Ponies went to Malta and did what they always do — win. And they did so once again in convincing fashion.

The one-day tournament in Malta served as a final tune up for the Ponies, who will wrestle in the Eastern A Divisional next Saturday in Havre.

And in its final dress rehearsal, Havre didn't disappoint, placing a total of 11 wrestlers and coming away with six individual champions. Thanks to their dominance, the Ponies racked up 265 points to easily walk away with the team title. Choteau finished second with 118 and Shepherd was third with 112.

"We were sharp," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "It was a good warm up for divisionals. The kids were considerably sharper than they were on Tuesday (against Great Falls High) and I was pleased with them."

There were a number of Havre wrestlers who were impressive Saturday, but the one with the most impressive victory of the day had to be junior Jase Stokes.

A few weeks ago at the Cut Bank Invitational, Stokes, who wrestles in the 182-pound weight class, lost in the

finals to Steeler French from Choteau, one of just a handful of losses this season for Stokes, a two-time state champ.

Yet, this time, when the two wrestlers met for the championship at 182 pounds, it was Stokes, who came out on top and won the individual title.

"Yeah, it was a good win," Filius said of Stokes’ victory over French.

"The first match between them was close and this match was a close one.

They are two evenly matched kids and Jase performed very well."

The other Havre wrestlers that won their weight classes were Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Parker Filius at 152 pounds, Tyler Schaub at 205 pounds and Travis Adams in the heavyweight class.

The Ponies had three others who made it to the finals, only to come up short of the title. One of those individuals was Kody Pribly, who lost a hard-fought match to Chinook's Tate Niederegger at 138 pounds. Niederegger is a defending state champion at the Class B-C level. Ryan Stewart also finished second at 113 pounds, as did Dane Flammond at 160 pounds.

Jazz Schroeder also finished third at 145 pounds and Walter White came in fourth at 170 pounds.

"I think Walter White had a good

weekend," Filius said. "Walter has been in the lineup all year and he is wrestling as good right now as he has all year. It was a good weekend all around."

The team title in Malta put the finishing touches on an impressive regular season for the top-ranked Ponies, who will begin their quest for a fourth consecutive Class A state title at the Eastern A Divisional Saturday at the HHS gymnasium.

"Yeah, I do," Filius said when asked if he liked where his team was at heading into divisionals. "The kids are sharp, they are healthy, they are well rested. I am excited for where we're at."

Malta Invitational Team scores: 1, Havre, 265; 2, Choteau, 118; 3, Shepherd, 112; 4, Glasgow, 103; 5, Malta, 80.5; 6, Cut Bank, 70; T7, Chinook, 53; T7, Harlem 53; 9, Wolf Point, 41; 10, Valier, 36; 11, Chester/J-I, 29; 12, Circle, 19; 13, Poplar, 12.5; 14, Hays-Lodgepole, 4.

Kevin Salsbery Memorial Outstanding Wrestler: Jase Stokes, Havre.

Individual Order of Finish 103: Chase DeBoo, Cho; Gabe Hallock, Gla; Trisetan Kemp, WP; Drew Shortman, HL.

Blue Ponies win second straight Jug Beck title in Missoula Chris Peterson

Wilkie

Pleninger

Filius

Stokes

Schipman, Mal; Tanner VandenBos, Val. 126: Trevor Moore, Cho; Trey Simanton, Mal; Isaac Ramos, Val; Kolton Bishop, Har. 132: Logan Pleninger, Hav; James Spence, She; Trey Taylor, Cir; Kasey Seyfert, Gla. 138: Tate Niederegger, Chi; Kody Pribyl, Hav; Mick Reyling, Gla; T'Jay Allen, Har. 145: Cody King, Gla; Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI; Jazz Schroeder, Hav; Kameron Powell, She. 152: Parker Filius, Hav; Travis Tatkenhorst, She; JR Seewald, CB; Alex Hallock, Gla.

113: Matt Reyling, Gla; Ryan Stewart, Hav; Pete Henderson, Cho; Karson Wortman, WP.

160: Taner Stone, Cho; Dane Flammond, Hav; Spencer Dougherty, She; Jeffery Berger, Pop. 170: Jace Berkram, CB; Sonny Cochran, She; Jordan Pierce, Mal; Walter White, Hav.

120: Martin Wilke, Hav; Quinn Whitmus, WP; Koler

182: Jase Stokes, Hav; Steeler French, Cho; Jesse

Schaub

Adams

Dannels, Chi; Cory Kelly, CJI. 205: Tyler Schaub, Hav; Kevin Young, Chi; Reece Hutton, Har; JR Caplette, Hav. 285: Travis Adams, Hav; Lucas Dekker, She; Justin Pfiefer, CB; Denver Krone, Cho.

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com Ahead of the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, Havre High head coach Scott Filius said that it was the best wrestling tournament in the state of Montana. And after his team captured the tournament for the second straight year this past weekend, it's not hard to see why the Blue Ponies are the best the state of Montana has to offer.

With essentially all the top teams from Montana in attendance, as well as some from Idaho, Washington and Wyoming, the Ponies flexed their muscle again on the mats, winning the first-place prize with 193 points. Missoula Sentinel was second with 165 and Powell, Wyoming was third with 161.

It's hard enough to win a tournament like the Jug Beck with a full lineup, but the fact that the Ponies did it with wrestlers at 11 of the 13 weights makes it even more impressive. In all, eight of Havre's wrestlers wound up placing, with three individuals, Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams coming away with individual titles. And all three did so in dominating fashion.

"It's a great accomplishment for these kids," Filius said. "It's so interesting when you have the AA schools and the other big schools because they are a little deeper and so we always have some ground to make up. But the kids did a great job, it was a fun weekend."

First, Parker Filius was able to take home the title at 152 pounds after he earned a major decision over Chase Short of Great Falls High, 9-0. Then Stokes did something similar in the 182-pound final, as he won a 8-0 major decision over Caiden Crawford of Helena High.

And finally, Adams locked down the individual title in the heavyweight class with a pin of Bryce Blumenschein of Belgrade in 3:36.

Yet, in addition to the outstanding efforts put forth by Filius, Stokes and Adams, all of whom fell short of individual titles at the tournament a year ago, five other Havre wrestlers placed in the event, including Logan Pleninger and Dane Flammond, who were third at 132 and 160 pounds, respectively.

Freshman Martin Wilkie continued his impressive campaign as he

walked away with a fourth-place showing at 120 pounds, while Ryan Stewart finished fifth at 113 pounds, and in the 205-pound weight class, Tyler Schaub came in seventh.

"Last year we had a bunch of kids in the finals and only one won one," Filius said. "This year we had three kids in the finals and won all three of them. The kids really did a great job of getting a lot of wins in those matches at the end."

What makes Havre's win even more impressive is that over the two-day meet, the Ponies held the lead for the majority of the time.

After the first day of action, in which HHS advanced six wrestlers into the semifinals, it finished the day leading with 107.5 points, well ahead of Missoula Sentinel, which trailed with 91 and Great Falls High, which had 89.

"We really have a great group of kids," FIlius said. "They have set really high standards for themselves and they worked really hard to achieve so that makes it fun."

The win at the Jug Beck was the perfect ending to a pretty good week for the Ponies, who also made a trip to Great Falls last Thursday to dual Class AA rival CMR. And Havre, which has lost just one dual all season, made sure it didn't lose another, knocking off the Rustlers in dominating fashion by the score of 45-15.

The Ponies gave up six points to CMR thanks to an open spot at 103 pounds, but then won the next three matches, getting a win by way of 8-1 decision by Ryan Stewart at 113, followed by three consecutive pins

by Lane Paulson at 120, Wilkie at 126 and Pleninger at 132.

CMR added to its point total with wins at 138 pounds and 145 pounds, but after Filius pinned Trevor LeBrun, HHS led 33-12. Havre would then close the match by winning at four of the next five weights as Flammond (160), Stokes (182).

Schaub (205) and Adams (HWT) all notched victories.

"CMR is a young team and they were pretty banged up," Filius said.

"The kids wrestled well down there and I thought it was good for us to get some matches before (Jug Beck). I don't think winning or losing necessarily helps but getting those matches before seems to help us."

The Ponies will be back in action this Friday and Saturday when they will be in Lewistown to defend their title at the Class A Duals. And with just a few weeks remaining before divisionals and state, coach Filius said he likes his and where they currently stand.

"We have to individualize with

each one of our kids," Filius said.

"We will spend a lot of on getting sharper and getting in better shape but I like where we're at."

Hegel, MSN, 3-2.

Semifinals – Cam Sorenson, UHI, dec. Logan Pleninger, HAV, 3-0; Jake Hegel, MSN, pin Cameron Brown, POL, 1:43.

JUG BECK ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC at Missoula

Third place – Pleninger, HAV, dec. Brown, POL, 8-2.

Team scores – 1, Havre 193; 2, Missoula Sentinel 165; 3, Powell 161; 4, Central Valley 145; 5, Great Falls 137; 6, University 128.5; 7, Kalispell Flathead 123; 8, Helena 120.5; 9, Missoula Big Sky 118; 10, Butte 113; 11, Clarkston 108.5; 12, Mead 107; 13, Bozeman 100.5; 14, Polson 94; 15, Belgrade 82.5; 16, Helena Capital 75; 17, Coeur d'Alene 69.5; 18, Columbia Falls 68; t-19, Great Falls CMR 54.5; t-19, Ronan 54.5; 21, Lewiston 43; 22, Fergus 42; 23, Hamilton 39; 24, Ferris 36; 25, Kalispell Glacier 34.5; 26, Lake City 27; 27, Libby 25; 28, Missoula Hellgate 23; 29, Corvallis 21; 30, Frenchtown 15; 31, Superior 4; 32, Great Falls Central 0.

Fifth place – Braxton Henningsen, BUT, pin Kaden Lahti, MBS, 4:17.

103 pounds Championship – Dalton Port, CLK, pin Chance McLane, BOZ, :53.

Third place – Jace Kovalicky, MSN, dec. Gage Connole, CV, 3-2.

Semifinals – Dalton Port, CLK, dec. Chase Tebbets, MED, 6-0; Chance McLane, BOZ, pin R.J. Pierre, POL, 1:45.

Third place – Tebbets, MED, dec. Pierre, POL, 8-3.

Fifth place – Tyler Casey, BUT, pin Dayton Evans, MBS, 1:45.

Seventh place – Tyrell Simms, CV, maj. dec. Blake Tellinghusen, UHI, 12-0.

113 pounds Championship – Bjorn Schroeder, BOZ, maj. dec.

Hunter Peterson, RON, 9-1.

Semifinals – Bjorn Schroeder, BOZ, pin Kaleb Macioseck, CDA, 3:02; Hunter Peterson, RON, pin. Ryan Stewart, HAV, 1:39.

Third place – Devin Crawford, HEL, dec. Macioseck, CDA, 7-5.

Fifth place – Terrell Sanders, UHI, dec. Stewart, HAV, 3-1.

Seventh place – Reece Eckley, MSN, dec. Bryce Shaffer, FLT, 7-3.

120 pounds Championship – Trae Vasquez, FLT, dec. Nick Kunz, CAP, 8-5.

Semifinals – Nick Kunz, CAP, dec. Caleb Birdwell, FRG, 4-0; Trae Vasquez, FLT,maj. dec. Wyatt Gordon, MBS, 8-0.

Third place – Gordon, MBS, dec. Martin Wilkie, HAV, 15-14.

Fifth place – Birdwell, FRG, def. Kale Evanson, BOZ. Seventh place – Spencer Clegg, CLK, dec. Bryce Gardner, CV, 6-2.

126 pounds Championship – Bryson Beard, CV, dec. Sawyer Degen, BEL, 4-0.

Semifinals – Bryson Beard, CV, def. Ty Hendren, LEW; Sawyer Degen, BEL, dec. Ben Windauer, CF, 2-0.

Third place – Reese Karst, POW, pin Kyle Gordon, MBS, 2:12.

Fifth place – Windauer, CF, def. Hendren, LEW. Seventh place – Max Clark, UHI, dec. Jake Freeman, CLK, 13-10.

132 pounds Championship – Cam Sorenson, UHI, dec. Jake

Seventh place – Blade Massey, GFH, pin. Tanner Benton, CLK, :38.

138 pounds Championship – Chance Karst, POW, dec. Payton Hume, FLT, 4-0.

Semifinals – Chance Karst, POW, pin. Kaleb Gravelin, CF, 3:23; Payton Hume, FLT, maj. dec. Dylan Lockwood, CDA; 11-2.

Fifth place – Gravelin, CF, def. Lockwood, CDA. Seventh place – Kai Stewart, CMR, dec. Shawn Olson, MHG, 5-3.

145 pounds Championship –Jarrett Degen, BEL, tech Jordan Komac, GFH, 23-8.

Semifinals – Jarrett Degen, BEL, pin. Braedon Orrino, CV, 5:19; Jordan Komac, GFH, dec. Logan McGreevey, MBS, 5-3.

Third place – Orrino, CV, dec. Dylan Duffalo, MSN, 3-1.

Fifth place – McGreevey, MBS, dec. Nick Moreni, HEL, 2-1.

Seventh place – Jared Niess, RON, pin Mason Fetters, CF, 2:25.

152 pounds Championship – Parker Filius, HAV, maj. dec.

Chase Short, GFH, 9-0.

Semifinals – Parker Filius, HAV, tech Noah Manibusan, HEL, 16-0; Chase Short, GFH, maj. dec. Nic Urbach, POW, 15-6.

Third place – Urbach, POW, dec. Manibusan, HEL, 9-6.

Fifth place – Christian Hunter, MED, dec. Alex Wickens, FRG, 3-0.

Seventh place – Chandler Paulson, MSN, dec. Kyle Neil, CV, 4-0.

160 pounds Championship – Tommy McMillen, GFH, pin Zach Stratton, CV, 3:31.

Semifinals – Tommy McMillen, GFH, dec. Tucker Darrah, POW, 7-6; Zach Stratton, CV, dec. Dane Flammond, HAV, :26.

Third place – Flammond, HAV, dec. Braxten Wilcox, MBS, 7-5.

Fifth place – Darrah, POW, dec. Tucker Nadeau, FLT, 9-2.

Seventh place – Brandon Cooper, BOZ, dec. Chance Stack, MSN, 5-0.

170 pounds Championship – Trevor Senn, MED, dec. Bryar Newbary, MSN, 9-4.

Semifinals – Bryar Newbary, MSN, pin Kadon Queer, BUT, 1:59; Trevor Senn, MED, dec. Hayden Schrull, HEL, 3-2.

Third place – Schrull, HEL, tech Queer, BUT, 18-2.

Fifth place – Teagen Cordes, POW, dec. Andrew Olvera, LCT, 5-2.

Seventh place – Matt Gash-Gilder, FLT, dec. Clayton Norman, FER, 4-1.

182 pounds Championship – Jase Stokes, HAV, maj. dec.

Caiden Crawford, HEL, 8-0.

Semifinals – Jase Stokes, HAV, maj. dec. Logan Wilson, FLT, 12-0; Caiden Crawford, HEL, dec. Levi Meinzinger, UHI, 6-4.

Third place – Meinzinger, UHI, def. Wilson, FLT. Fifth place – Ty Dearcorn, POW, pin Hunter Sisemore, CLK, 2:15.

Seventh place – Cody Cromer, LEW, def. Kory Broussard, CAP. 205 pounds Championship – Dylan Beeler, CLK, maj. dec. Zach Easum, POW, 8-0.

Semifinals – Dylan Beeler, CLK, pin Tyler Rickel, UHI, 3:05; Zach Easum, POW, pin Mike Corrigan, POL, 1:25.

Third place – Justin Hinson, HAM, dec. Corrigan, POL, 7-5.

Fifth place – Rickel, UHI, pin David Petersen, CAP, 3:30.

Seventh place – Tyler Schaub, HAV, dec. Rylan Moldenhauer, GFH, 5-3.

285 pounds Championship – Travis Adams, HAV, pin Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:36.

Semifinals – Travis Adams, HAV, pin Wyatt Wickham, CV, :42; Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, dec. Luke Channer, COR, 6-0.

Third place – Noah Danielson, CMR, dec. Jake Rebish, MSN, 4-2.

Fifth place – Channer, COR, pin. Wickham, CV, :19.

Seventh place – Sheldon Fladland, CAP, dec. Eli Horn, GLA, 4-3.

Havre 45, CMR 15 Thursday

103 – Andrew Paradise (CMR) win by forfeit; 113 – Ryan Stewart (Havre) d. Carter Carroll (CMR) 8-1; 120 – Lane Paulson (Havre) p. Dillon DeJean (2:40); 126 – Martin Wilkie (Havre) p. Tyler Gentry (CMR) (1:30); 132 – Logan Pleninger (Havre) p. Tanner Tovson (CMR) (1:35); 138 – Kai Stewart (CMR) d. Kody Pribyl (Havre) 9-8; 145 – Tanner Farren (CMR) d. Jazz Schroeder (Havre) 4-0; 152 – Parker Filius (Havre) p. Trevor LeBrun; 160 – Havre win by forfeit; 170 – Max Sechena (CMR) d. Walter White (Havre) 5-4; 182 – Jace Stokes (Havre) p. Grayden Irish (0:10); 205 – Tyler Schaub (Havre) d. KC Buday (CMR) 14-4; 285 – Travis Adams (Havre) d. Noah Danielson (Havre) 2-0.

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Ponies out to defend yet another title Blue Ponies pin Bison on senior night Havre matmen heavily favored at Class A Duals in Lewistown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

It seems like the Havre High wrestling team is defending a team title in just about every tournament it enters this season and that feeling won't change this week as the Blue Ponies head to the Class A Duals in Lewistown, with their sights set on a third straight championship.

The meet may not be as prestigious as the Mining City Duals earlier in the year or even the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, which HHS won a week ago.

But, the Class A duals offer a chance to see what the rest of what Class A has to offer, maybe more than any other meet the Ponies will compete in, which is what makes it more interesting than the average meet.

The tournament will begin Friday morning in Lewistown as HHS will wrestle Laurel at 12:30 p.m., Hamilton at 3 p.m., and Whitefish at 4:30 p.m. The meet will conclude Saturday with a single elimination tournament to determine the champion.

Of course, the Class A duals do not feature every Class A team. Last year, both Sidney and Columbia Falls, two traditional powers, were not in attendance and they do not plan on being in attendance this year. Yet, there will be a number of other schools in attendance, such as secondranked Polson which will afford head coach Scott Filius

and his team a chance to get to know their competition for the 2016 Class A state title, a little better.

“It’s basically going to be like our state tournament because Sidney is down this year,” Filius said. “It helps you prepare for individual kids and individual matches.

I think it’s always an advantage to wrestle somebody because then you have the ability to adjust.”

Yet, no matter which team Havre faces, the top-ranked Ponies will be the heavy favorite. And, with a nearperfect dual record this season, even against Class AA schools, few, if any teams in attendance actually stand the chance of pulling the upset.

“I think we will be fine,” Filius said. “We have some great individual matchups with kids from some other teams, but as a team I think

Duals: Results from Class A Duals in Lewistown ■ From Page 15 ule this week as they will dual Great Falls High Tuesday night inside the HHS gymnasium, before heading to the Malta Invitational next Saturday in Malta. The Eastern A Divisional will be held in Havre Feb. 6 and the All-Class State tournament will take place in Billings Feb. 12-13.

Class A Duals At Lewistown Friday Havre 53, Laurel 12 103: Caleb Ripley Laurel won by forfeit; 113: Ryan Stewart Havre major dec Matt Glennon Laurel 10-0; 120: Martin Wilkie Havre tech fall Peyton Boltalden Laurel; 126: Lane Paulson Havre won by forfeit; 132: Loga Pleninger Havre dec Clayton Carter Laurel 3-2; 138: Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Jordan Shoval Laurel 1:01; 145: Connor Ludwig Laurel pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre 3:33; 152: Parker Filius Havre pinned Mason Fend Laurel 1:14; 160: Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Kyle Cannon Laurel 203; 170: Walter White Havre dec Brett McBurney Laurel 3-2; 182: Jase Stokes Havre pinned Jon Jares Laurel 1:50; 205: Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285: Travis Adams Havre dec Brandon Connly Laurel 8-5.

Havre 49, Hamilton 18

103: Double forfeit; 113: Ryan Stewart Havre dec Micheal Golden Hamilton 6-4 OT; 120: Martin Wilkie Havre pinned Adrian Garcia Hamiton; 126: Caden Brown Hamilton dec Lane Paulson Havre 10-4; 132: Logan Pleninger Havre dec Steven Banks Hamilton 9-1; 138: Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Dustin Copeland Hamilton; 145: Kris Anderson Hamilton pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre; 152: Parker Filius Havre tech fall Steven Scheffer Hamilton; 160: Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Manny Rivear Hamilton 17-2; 170: Walter White Havre pinned Christian Ellis Hamilton; 180: Jase Stokes Havre pinned Kyle Anderson Hamilton; 205: Justin Hinson Hamilton dec Tyler Schaub Havre 14-8; 285: Travis Adams Have pinned Justin Murray Hamilton.

Havre 69, Whitefish 0 103: Double forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre pinned Taisuke Matsuo WF; 120: Martin Wilke Havre pinned Eli Taylor WF; 126: Lane Paulson Havre pinned Isaac Watts WF; 132: Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Robert Bertelson WF; 138: Kody Pribly Havre pinned James Buckley; 145: Jazz Schroeder Havre won by forfeit; 152: Parker Filius Havre pinned Malik Meydon WF; 160: Dane Flammond Havre pinned Alex Mazzonett WF; 170: Walter White Havre dec Konrad Zinke WF 3-1; 182: Jase Stokes Havre won by forfeit; 205: Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285: Travis Adams Havre pinned Steven Quimey WF. Saturday

Championship – Havre 57, Polson 18 103 RJ Pierre Polson won by forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre won by forfeit; 120 Martin Wilkie Havre pinned Bridger Wenzel Polson; 126 Thunder Morales Polson pinned Lane Paulson Havre; 132 Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Cam Brown Polson; 138 Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Jabe Wendt Polson; 145 Parker Adler Polson pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre; 152 Kollin Nystrum Havre won by forfeit; 160 Dane Flammond Havre pinned Colton Cote Polson; 170 Walter White Havre Pinned Koby Garcia Polson; 182 Jase Stokes Havre Pinned Noah Humphreys Polson; 205 Tyler Schaub Havre dec Mike Corrigan Polson 5-1; 285 Travis Adams Havre pinned Nick Marquart Polson Havre 61, Lewistown 4 103 Double forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre pinned Talon Arndt Fergus; 120 Martin Wilke Havre dec Caleb Birdwell Fergus 4-3; 126 Lane Paulson Havre pinned Tanner Mannin Fergus; 132 Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Chase Farrar; 138 Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Grady Gilpartick Fergus; 145 Jazz Schroeder Havre pinned Jordan Moody Fergus; 152 Parker Filius Havre dec Alex Wickens Fergus 18-3; 160 Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Chad Lander Fergus 16-0; 170 Wyatt Blythe Fergus dec Walter White Havre 16-5; 182 Jase Stokes Havre pinned Bradley Denton Fergus; 205 Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285 Travis Adams Havre won by forfeit.

we are just too deep for anybody.”

The only real weakness in the Havre lineup has been the fact that it normally has two open weights at 126 and 132. However, having two open spots has not hurt HHS yet this season in dual competition and with Lane Paulson set to the fill in at 126 pounds this weekend, it won’t in Lewistown either.

“For duals it’s huge not having to give up that six points,” Filius said. “We have had to give away two (weights) most of the year and sometimes three so it will be nice. It will be the least we have forfeited.”

Whenever you are talking about the Ponies, the conversation has to start with their three returning individual state champions, Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams.

Filius, who wrestles at 152

pounds, Stokes, who wrestles at 182 and Adams, who is a heavyweight, are each coming off individual titles at the Jug Beck last weekend. And each wrestler seems to be on the top of his game right now, which is bad news for their opponents.

“They have set the tone in the practice room,” coach Filius said. “They have been our leaders the past few years but they are really stepping up in terms of the work ethic and the rest of the team has followed.”

However, the Ponies are about much more than Filius, Stokes and Adams. There are many teams with two or three good wrestlers, but few can match the depth Havre has.

That's because after their big three, the Ponies have numerous other wrestlers capable of big-time performances, starting with Ryan

Stewart at 113 pounds and freshmen Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds. Then there is Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Kody Pribyl at 138 pounds, Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds, Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, Walter White at 170 pounds and Tyler Schuab at 205 pounds.

That is the normal Havre lineup, but with the Eastern A Divisional meet and the Class A state meet just weeks away, coach Filius also said he would use the meet to get some of his inexperienced wrestlers, more time on the mat. Those wrestlers, in addition to Paulson, are Jared Sienkowski (HWT) and Kollin Nystrom (145).

After the Class A Duals in Lewistown this weekend, the Ponies are scheduled to dual Great Falls High inside the HHS gymnasium on Jan. 26, before closing the regular season Jan. 30 in Malta.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News The Havre High wrestling team doesn't host a lot of duals at home, but when the Blue Ponies do host one and it's against Great Falls High, it's a must-see for wrestling fans.

Tuesday night inside the HHS gymasnium, the two teams, which are each defending state champions, put on a show for everyone in attendance. And when it was all said and done, it was the Ponies who prevailed on senior night, 33-27.

"It's always hard when you wrestle your last home match," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "You are conflicted a bit. We left a lot of points out there, which was frustrating, but that doesn't diminish their effort (Great Falls High) to get those points and you have to give them credit as well."

Starting out, things didn't look good for the Ponies as they forfeited a match at 103 pounds and then gave up six

more points when Caleb McMillen pinned Ryan Stewart to give the Bison a 12-0 advantage.

Havre and GFH split the next two matches as Martin Wilkie of Havre earned a 13-0 major decision over Jack Dressel, while Russell Wienholz made quick work of the Ponies' Lane Paulson, who was pinned in 20 seconds, which put the Bison up 18-4.

Logan Pleninger, one of the three seniors in action for Havre, did his part to get things back on track as he earned a technical fall in the 132-pound class, by way of a 15-0 decision to get the Ponies within striking distance at 18-9.

The next match, which featured Havre senior Kody Pribyl and Chase Perry of Great Falls going at it at 138 pounds, would define the dual.

For much of the match, Pribyl was in control and held a 2-0 lead heading into the final period. Yet, Perry took advantage of an opening and managed to not only,

Pleninger

Pribyl

notch a two-point takedown, but also a near fall, which gave him a 5-2 lead with less than 10 seconds to go.

Facing defeat, Pribyl dug deep. He escaped the hold (1 point) and earned a two-point takedown with three seconds left to force overtime. And in the extra frame, Pribyl got a quick takedown to post a dramatic 7-5 win.

"I was just thinking that I didn't want to give up the pin," Pribyl said. "It was a close dual as is and I was just trying not to get pinned.

The position favored him, but I was able to reverse him and get the two to send it to overtime.

Adams

"I was super excited," Pribyl added about his overtime victory. "It's senior night and I thought it was a big win for me. The whole crowd was into it and that made me feel really good."

Thanks to Pribyl's victory, Havre was within six at 18-12, instead of facing a 21-9 deficit, which might have proven difficult to overcome.

Jordan Kormac did win the next match for the Bison at 145 pounds, as he pinned Jazz Schroeder, putting the Bison in front 24-12, but the Ponies would go on to win the next four matches as Parker Filius (152 pounds), Dane

Flammond (160 pounds), Walter White (170 pounds) and Jase Stokes all posted victories to give HHS its first lead of the dual at 27-24 with two weights remaining.

Tyler Schaub had a chance to put the win on ice with a pin at 205 pounds against Rylan Moldenhauer.

But, the sophomore couldn't get over the hump and ended up dropping the match 4-2, which tied things up, with only the heavyweights left on the docket.

Since it was senior night, it seemed fitting that the dual would come down the heavyweights and when it did, Havre senior Travis Adams made sure he made the most of his opportunity. The defending state champion made quick work of Terrel Mitchell, his rival from Great Falls High, pinning him in 1:13 to cap the night and secure the win for Havre.

"All three of the seniors were big," Filius said. "Logan got a tech fall, Kody came from behind and Travis got that last pin. I think

that says a lot about the character of those seniors.

We had some other kids that underperformed but a lot of that still is just (Great Falls) competing."

The Ponies will take part in their last regular season tournament of the year Saturday, when they will travel to Malta for the Malta Invitational.

Havre 33, Great Falls High 27 103 - Kole WritingBird, GFH, wins by forfeit; 113 - Caleb McMilen, GFH, pinned Ryan Stewart, HAV, 4:29; 120 Martin Wilkie, HAV, dec. Jack Dressel, GFH, 13-0; 126 - Russell Wienholz, GFH, pinned Lane Paulson, HAV, :20; 132 - Logan Pleninger, HAV, dec. Blade Massey, GFH, 15-0; 138 - Kody Pribyl, HAV, dec. Chase Perry, GFH, 7-5; 145 - Jordan Kormac, GFH, pinned Jazz Schroeder, HAV, 1:13; 152 - Parker Filius, HAV, dec. Chase Short, GFH, 11-4; 160 - Dane Flammond, HAV, dec.

Tommy McMillen, GFH, 1-0; 171 - Walter White, HAV, dec. Mitchell Heffernan, GFH, 6-0; 182 - Jase Stokes, HAV, pinned Travis Tomei, GFH, 1:32; 205 - Ryan Moldenhauer, GFH, dec. Tyler Schaub, HAV, 4-2; HWT - Travis Adams, HAV, pinned Terrel Mitchell, GFH, 1:13.

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Ponies grapple Bison tonight Havre celebrates senior night with annual Great Falls High dual

19

February 2016

George Ferguson Sports Editor

Havre Daily News

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Kody Pribyl, left, and his fellow Havre seniors wrestled their final dual inside the HHS gymnasium when the Blue Ponies took on Great Falls High. we do because it's mutually beneficial. Their kids are going to scrap up and compete and hopefully our kids will do the same."

One thing that will help the Ponies against Great Falls High, which just finished third in the Class AA duals this past weekend, is the fact that they will have

12 wrestlers in the lineup, instead of 11, which they had earlier in the season.

Havre has lost just once in dual competition this season, with a loss a few weeks ago to Bozeman. But in that dual, Havre was open at two weights and against the Bison, it will open at just one (103 pounds).

The Ponies will boast their normal lineup for the dual, as well as Lane Paulson, who now mans the 126-pound weight class for

HHS after missing most of the season due to an injury. The rest of the lineup features Ryan Stewart at 113 pounds, Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Pleninger at 132 pounds, Pribly at 138 pounds, Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds, Parker Filius at 152 pounds, Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, Walter White at 170 pounds, Jase Stokes at 182 pounds, Tyler Schaub at 205 pounds and Adams in the heavyweight class.

While the Ponies are excited to take on the Bison, with divisionals and state right around the corner, their focus is still preparing for the two big meets at the end of the season.

"We are starting to specialize on kids at this point in the year," Filius said. "We have our offense and we know what we are going to do on bottom. Now, you take a couple of kids and start working on fixing each kid's flaws instead of trying to fix the whole room's. It makes it a fun time of year because you really to get make a difference with each individual kid."

Havre and Great Falls High will kick off their dual inside the HHS gymasnium tonight at 6. HHS travels to the Malta Invite Saturday.

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Last Saturday was a special day for both of Havre's wrestling programs From the Fringe...

Chris Peterson The Havre High wrestling team has had an outstanding season when it comes to duals and tonight the Blue Ponies will look to finish a near-perfect record with a win over arch-rival Great Falls High.

The dual, which features Havre, the defending Class A state champion and Great Falls High, the defending Class AA champion, will be tonight inside the HHS gymnasium with the first match set for 6 p.m.

In addition to it being the final dual of the year for the Ponies, it will also be senior night for HHS. And even though the Ponies will get to wrestle in front of the hometown fans one more time at the Eastern A Divisional Feb. 7, seniors Travis Adams, Kody Pribyl and Logan Pleninger will each be honored for their contributions to the program tonight.

"You have Travis Adams, who has placed three times (at state) and won a state championship," HHS head coach Scott Filius said.

"And then you have Logan Pleninger, who has placed three times and Kody Pribyl, who has placed three times.

All those guys have been parts of the last three state championship teams and have come up through our club program. They have also been running around with me in the summers for a long time. They are just a real special group of kids."

The Ponies, who have yet to face the Bison in a dual this season, did defeat them last year in Havre and will be looking to send their seniors out in style with another triumph over the Bison.

"They are just always so well coached," Filius said of the Bison. "Their kids just don't make mistakes from an effort point of view. If they are capable, they are going to give you a great match and that's why we schedule them as often as

www.havredailynews.com

2016 CLASS A

It’s no secret that the wrestling in Havre is really good right now. It’s no secret that the Havre Blue Ponies and the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are two of the best programs in their respective levels of wrestling.

In fact, I hope everybody already knows that and doesn’t need me to tell them so.

But, just because it’s widely known just how good the Blue Ponies and Lights are on the mat, that doesn’t mean that those teams can’t achieve new heights. And they both did that this past weekend, nearly at the same time.

The Lights were in Marshall, Missouri, for what many consider the best NAIA tournament of the regular season.

The Missouri Valley Invite featured 25 teams, most of which were NAIA schools, and 17 of the Top 20 teams in the NAIA Coaches Poll. An impressive field to say the least.

And going into the weekend, the on top of the list of teams in the field was fourtime defending NAIA national champion Grand View — the premier power in NAIA wrestling no doubt.

But, even with Grand View in the field, that didn’t stop the Lights from performing to an extremely high level, and at the end of the meet, it was Northern, not Grand View which was on top of the team standings.

Now, I know full well that the Missouri Valley Invite is not the NAIA national tournament, and Grand View is no doubt, still the team to beat in March in Topeka, Kansas.

But, make no mistake, Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge and his troops aren’t going to rest on the team title last week in Missouri.

Instead, the Lights will use it as fuel, fuel to get better

and fuel to go after the grand prize come early spring.

And while it was a regular season tournament, the team title in Missouri was also a benchmark for Northern, or rather, an announcement that these Lights are for real, and they plan on contending for a national championship in less than two months. And it was also an impressive statement considering the Lights are a very young team, with a plethora of outstanding true and red-shirt freshman flanking the upper-weight seniors like Toby Cheff and Willie Miller and juniors Garrett DeMers and Taylor Kornoely.

Yes, age and experience really isn’t seeming to be a factor with the Lights right now, and the scary thought is, as well as Northern wrestled last weekend in Missouri, there’s still time for the Lights to get even better.

Getting better is also something the Blue Ponies of head coach Scott Filius are trying to do. But, it’s hard to imagine Havre even needing it given what it’s done this season,

and especially last weekend in Missoula.

The Ponies won the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic team title for the second straight year, on the strength of three individual champions. And, like Northern’s triumph in Missouri, the Ponies’ win in Missoula is special because there is no better tournament in Montana each year than the Jug Beck.

And for Havre, a team that is open at two weight classes, to beat the likes of Missoula Sentinel, Great Falls High, teams like University High in Spokane, Washington, and Powell, Wyoming, well, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

But just wait, because the Blue Ponies are planning on being even better. Their plan is go to Billings in just three weeks and win their fourth straight Class A state team title. Of course, that’s always the goal in the Havre High wrestling program, but what makes Havre so special is, no matter how much

it dominates, and no matter how much of a foregone conclusion a state title might be, the Ponies don’t look at it like that.

Instead, Havre is also striving to get better, to dominate more, and while winning the Jug Beck might be the pinnacle for the regular season, trust and believe that the Blue Ponies are nowhere near done getting better.

And even though both the Ponies and Lights have loftier goals than regular season team titles, last Saturday was pretty cool for Havre wrestling in general. In fact, it’s awfully cool to see both of Havre’s wrestling programs win extremely prestigious team titles on the same day.

But then again, as good as the Ponies and Lights are, maybe it’s also becoming par for the course. Nevertheless, if you’re a wrestling fan around here, you’ve got it pretty darn good, and like I said before, the fun is just beginning.

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Ponies own Class A Duals once again Havre High destroys all Class A teams in its way in Lewistown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

If there was any lingering doubt about whether the Havre High wrestling team is the prohibitive favorite to win the Class A state championship next month, it was erased this past weekend after another dominating performance by the Blue Ponies.

The Ponies, who were in Lewistown to compete in the annual Class A Duals, once again showed, that at least right now, they are heads and shoulders above every other team in Class A wrestling.

During the two-day tournament, the Ponies were

Stewart

Wilkie

never challenged in five dual matches as they easily defended their title. Havre, the top-ranked team in Class A, knocked off Polson, the second-ranked team, in the championship round by the score of 57-18 to wrap up the title. In order to get to the championship, Havre defeated Lewistown 61-4 Saturday, as well as Laurel 53-12, Hamilton 49-18 and Whitefish 64-0, all on Friday.

"The kids wrestled really well," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "It was a lot of fun."

Over the course of the two days, Havre's domination was impressive. In all,

Pleninger

Pribyl

the Ponies dropped just nine matches during their five duals and two of those came via forfeit as HHS does not have anyone to wrestle in the 103-pound weight class.

Havre's overall record in the tournament ended up being 53-9 (including forfeits) and of those losses, only four of them were by pin. On the other hand, in five duals, the Ponies amassed an incredible 29 pins, meaning that over half of their victories were recorded in that fashion.

"We had a good day Saturday," Filius said. "We didn't lose many. We have taught the kids all year to wrestle

Filius

Flammond

aggressively."

Havre opened the tournament Friday and started things off with a dominating 53-12 win over Laurel, the team that finished second to HHS at the Class A Duals in 2015. Then, the Ponies turned their attention to Hamilton, which lost 49-18 but had the smallest margin of defeat of any of the five teams Havre defeated.

After winning its first two duals, Havre really ratcheted things up in its third dual, as it shutout out the Whitefish Bulldogs completely, defeating them 69-0 thanks to eight pins by HHS. The Ponies did something similar Saturday,

Stokes

when they used six pins to trounce Lewistown 61-4 in the semifinals.

That victory set up a showdown between the two toprated teams in Class A. Yet, in the end, it wasn't much of a showdown. Havre dominated from start to finish and thanks to seven more wins by fall, the Ponies cruised to another easy victory and another team championship.

Seven Havre wrestlers made it through the twoday meet without suffering a loss as Ryan Stewart (113 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Dane Flam-

mond (160 pounds), Jase Stokes (182 pounds) and Travis Adams (HWT), were all 5-0. Parker Filius, who wrestles at 152 pounds posted a 4-0 record, Adams while Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) and Walter White (170 pounds), were each 4-1. Logan Paulson, who wrestled at 126 pounds, posted a mark of 3-2, while Jazz Schroeder (145 pounds) was 2-3. Kollin Nystrom also won a match by forfeit at 152 pounds.

"We have a lot of kids that are wrestling with a lot of confidence right now," Filius said. "Whether it's Flammond, Adams, Pleninger, Wilkie, Stokes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we are just really competing hard right now."

The Ponies will close out their regular-season sched-

n See Duals Page 18

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www.havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre freshman Martin Wilkie, top, pins Lewistown's Caleb Birdwell in their 120-pound Class A title match in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller The Havre Blue Ponies celebrate their fourth consecutive Class A state wrestling championship at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Behind five state champions and nine placers, the Ponies once again steamrolled the competition.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Blue Pony senior Logan Pleninger, left, rides Laurel's Clayton Carter during their thrilling 132-pound Class A title match in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius tangles against Lewistown's Alex Wickens in the 152pound Class A state championship in Billings. Filius captured his third straight state title with a technical fall.

STATE CHAMPIONS Havre Blue Ponies

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Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre freshman Martin Wilkie, top, pins Lewistown's Caleb Birdwell in their 120-pound Class A title match in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller The Havre Blue Ponies celebrate their fourth consecutive Class A state wrestling championship at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Behind five state champions and nine placers, the Ponies once again steamrolled the competition.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Blue Pony senior Logan Pleninger, left, rides Laurel's Clayton Carter during their thrilling 132-pound Class A title match in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius tangles against Lewistown's Alex Wickens in the 152pound Class A state championship in Billings. Filius captured his third straight state title with a technical fall.

STATE CHAMPIONS Havre Blue Ponies

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Ponies own Class A Duals once again Havre High destroys all Class A teams in its way in Lewistown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

If there was any lingering doubt about whether the Havre High wrestling team is the prohibitive favorite to win the Class A state championship next month, it was erased this past weekend after another dominating performance by the Blue Ponies.

The Ponies, who were in Lewistown to compete in the annual Class A Duals, once again showed, that at least right now, they are heads and shoulders above every other team in Class A wrestling.

During the two-day tournament, the Ponies were

Stewart

Wilkie

never challenged in five dual matches as they easily defended their title. Havre, the top-ranked team in Class A, knocked off Polson, the second-ranked team, in the championship round by the score of 57-18 to wrap up the title. In order to get to the championship, Havre defeated Lewistown 61-4 Saturday, as well as Laurel 53-12, Hamilton 49-18 and Whitefish 64-0, all on Friday.

"The kids wrestled really well," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "It was a lot of fun."

Over the course of the two days, Havre's domination was impressive. In all,

Pleninger

Pribyl

the Ponies dropped just nine matches during their five duals and two of those came via forfeit as HHS does not have anyone to wrestle in the 103-pound weight class.

Havre's overall record in the tournament ended up being 53-9 (including forfeits) and of those losses, only four of them were by pin. On the other hand, in five duals, the Ponies amassed an incredible 29 pins, meaning that over half of their victories were recorded in that fashion.

"We had a good day Saturday," Filius said. "We didn't lose many. We have taught the kids all year to wrestle

Filius

Flammond

aggressively."

Havre opened the tournament Friday and started things off with a dominating 53-12 win over Laurel, the team that finished second to HHS at the Class A Duals in 2015. Then, the Ponies turned their attention to Hamilton, which lost 49-18 but had the smallest margin of defeat of any of the five teams Havre defeated.

After winning its first two duals, Havre really ratcheted things up in its third dual, as it shutout out the Whitefish Bulldogs completely, defeating them 69-0 thanks to eight pins by HHS. The Ponies did something similar Saturday,

Stokes

when they used six pins to trounce Lewistown 61-4 in the semifinals.

That victory set up a showdown between the two toprated teams in Class A. Yet, in the end, it wasn't much of a showdown. Havre dominated from start to finish and thanks to seven more wins by fall, the Ponies cruised to another easy victory and another team championship.

Seven Havre wrestlers made it through the twoday meet without suffering a loss as Ryan Stewart (113 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Dane Flam-

mond (160 pounds), Jase Stokes (182 pounds) and Travis Adams (HWT), were all 5-0. Parker Filius, who wrestles at 152 pounds posted a 4-0 record, Adams while Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) and Walter White (170 pounds), were each 4-1. Logan Paulson, who wrestled at 126 pounds, posted a mark of 3-2, while Jazz Schroeder (145 pounds) was 2-3. Kollin Nystrom also won a match by forfeit at 152 pounds.

"We have a lot of kids that are wrestling with a lot of confidence right now," Filius said. "Whether it's Flammond, Adams, Pleninger, Wilkie, Stokes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we are just really competing hard right now."

The Ponies will close out their regular-season sched-

n See Duals Page 18

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February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Ponies grapple Bison tonight Havre celebrates senior night with annual Great Falls High dual

19

February 2016

George Ferguson Sports Editor

Havre Daily News

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Kody Pribyl, left, and his fellow Havre seniors wrestled their final dual inside the HHS gymnasium when the Blue Ponies took on Great Falls High. we do because it's mutually beneficial. Their kids are going to scrap up and compete and hopefully our kids will do the same."

One thing that will help the Ponies against Great Falls High, which just finished third in the Class AA duals this past weekend, is the fact that they will have

12 wrestlers in the lineup, instead of 11, which they had earlier in the season.

Havre has lost just once in dual competition this season, with a loss a few weeks ago to Bozeman. But in that dual, Havre was open at two weights and against the Bison, it will open at just one (103 pounds).

The Ponies will boast their normal lineup for the dual, as well as Lane Paulson, who now mans the 126-pound weight class for

HHS after missing most of the season due to an injury. The rest of the lineup features Ryan Stewart at 113 pounds, Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Pleninger at 132 pounds, Pribly at 138 pounds, Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds, Parker Filius at 152 pounds, Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, Walter White at 170 pounds, Jase Stokes at 182 pounds, Tyler Schaub at 205 pounds and Adams in the heavyweight class.

While the Ponies are excited to take on the Bison, with divisionals and state right around the corner, their focus is still preparing for the two big meets at the end of the season.

"We are starting to specialize on kids at this point in the year," Filius said. "We have our offense and we know what we are going to do on bottom. Now, you take a couple of kids and start working on fixing each kid's flaws instead of trying to fix the whole room's. It makes it a fun time of year because you really to get make a difference with each individual kid."

Havre and Great Falls High will kick off their dual inside the HHS gymasnium tonight at 6. HHS travels to the Malta Invite Saturday.

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Last Saturday was a special day for both of Havre's wrestling programs From the Fringe...

Chris Peterson The Havre High wrestling team has had an outstanding season when it comes to duals and tonight the Blue Ponies will look to finish a near-perfect record with a win over arch-rival Great Falls High.

The dual, which features Havre, the defending Class A state champion and Great Falls High, the defending Class AA champion, will be tonight inside the HHS gymnasium with the first match set for 6 p.m.

In addition to it being the final dual of the year for the Ponies, it will also be senior night for HHS. And even though the Ponies will get to wrestle in front of the hometown fans one more time at the Eastern A Divisional Feb. 7, seniors Travis Adams, Kody Pribyl and Logan Pleninger will each be honored for their contributions to the program tonight.

"You have Travis Adams, who has placed three times (at state) and won a state championship," HHS head coach Scott Filius said.

"And then you have Logan Pleninger, who has placed three times and Kody Pribyl, who has placed three times.

All those guys have been parts of the last three state championship teams and have come up through our club program. They have also been running around with me in the summers for a long time. They are just a real special group of kids."

The Ponies, who have yet to face the Bison in a dual this season, did defeat them last year in Havre and will be looking to send their seniors out in style with another triumph over the Bison.

"They are just always so well coached," Filius said of the Bison. "Their kids just don't make mistakes from an effort point of view. If they are capable, they are going to give you a great match and that's why we schedule them as often as

www.havredailynews.com

2016 CLASS A

It’s no secret that the wrestling in Havre is really good right now. It’s no secret that the Havre Blue Ponies and the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are two of the best programs in their respective levels of wrestling.

In fact, I hope everybody already knows that and doesn’t need me to tell them so.

But, just because it’s widely known just how good the Blue Ponies and Lights are on the mat, that doesn’t mean that those teams can’t achieve new heights. And they both did that this past weekend, nearly at the same time.

The Lights were in Marshall, Missouri, for what many consider the best NAIA tournament of the regular season.

The Missouri Valley Invite featured 25 teams, most of which were NAIA schools, and 17 of the Top 20 teams in the NAIA Coaches Poll. An impressive field to say the least.

And going into the weekend, the on top of the list of teams in the field was fourtime defending NAIA national champion Grand View — the premier power in NAIA wrestling no doubt.

But, even with Grand View in the field, that didn’t stop the Lights from performing to an extremely high level, and at the end of the meet, it was Northern, not Grand View which was on top of the team standings.

Now, I know full well that the Missouri Valley Invite is not the NAIA national tournament, and Grand View is no doubt, still the team to beat in March in Topeka, Kansas.

But, make no mistake, Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge and his troops aren’t going to rest on the team title last week in Missouri.

Instead, the Lights will use it as fuel, fuel to get better

and fuel to go after the grand prize come early spring.

And while it was a regular season tournament, the team title in Missouri was also a benchmark for Northern, or rather, an announcement that these Lights are for real, and they plan on contending for a national championship in less than two months. And it was also an impressive statement considering the Lights are a very young team, with a plethora of outstanding true and red-shirt freshman flanking the upper-weight seniors like Toby Cheff and Willie Miller and juniors Garrett DeMers and Taylor Kornoely.

Yes, age and experience really isn’t seeming to be a factor with the Lights right now, and the scary thought is, as well as Northern wrestled last weekend in Missouri, there’s still time for the Lights to get even better.

Getting better is also something the Blue Ponies of head coach Scott Filius are trying to do. But, it’s hard to imagine Havre even needing it given what it’s done this season,

and especially last weekend in Missoula.

The Ponies won the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic team title for the second straight year, on the strength of three individual champions. And, like Northern’s triumph in Missouri, the Ponies’ win in Missoula is special because there is no better tournament in Montana each year than the Jug Beck.

And for Havre, a team that is open at two weight classes, to beat the likes of Missoula Sentinel, Great Falls High, teams like University High in Spokane, Washington, and Powell, Wyoming, well, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

But just wait, because the Blue Ponies are planning on being even better. Their plan is go to Billings in just three weeks and win their fourth straight Class A state team title. Of course, that’s always the goal in the Havre High wrestling program, but what makes Havre so special is, no matter how much

it dominates, and no matter how much of a foregone conclusion a state title might be, the Ponies don’t look at it like that.

Instead, Havre is also striving to get better, to dominate more, and while winning the Jug Beck might be the pinnacle for the regular season, trust and believe that the Blue Ponies are nowhere near done getting better.

And even though both the Ponies and Lights have loftier goals than regular season team titles, last Saturday was pretty cool for Havre wrestling in general. In fact, it’s awfully cool to see both of Havre’s wrestling programs win extremely prestigious team titles on the same day.

But then again, as good as the Ponies and Lights are, maybe it’s also becoming par for the course. Nevertheless, if you’re a wrestling fan around here, you’ve got it pretty darn good, and like I said before, the fun is just beginning.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Ponies out to defend yet another title Blue Ponies pin Bison on senior night Havre matmen heavily favored at Class A Duals in Lewistown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

It seems like the Havre High wrestling team is defending a team title in just about every tournament it enters this season and that feeling won't change this week as the Blue Ponies head to the Class A Duals in Lewistown, with their sights set on a third straight championship.

The meet may not be as prestigious as the Mining City Duals earlier in the year or even the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, which HHS won a week ago.

But, the Class A duals offer a chance to see what the rest of what Class A has to offer, maybe more than any other meet the Ponies will compete in, which is what makes it more interesting than the average meet.

The tournament will begin Friday morning in Lewistown as HHS will wrestle Laurel at 12:30 p.m., Hamilton at 3 p.m., and Whitefish at 4:30 p.m. The meet will conclude Saturday with a single elimination tournament to determine the champion.

Of course, the Class A duals do not feature every Class A team. Last year, both Sidney and Columbia Falls, two traditional powers, were not in attendance and they do not plan on being in attendance this year. Yet, there will be a number of other schools in attendance, such as secondranked Polson which will afford head coach Scott Filius

and his team a chance to get to know their competition for the 2016 Class A state title, a little better.

“It’s basically going to be like our state tournament because Sidney is down this year,” Filius said. “It helps you prepare for individual kids and individual matches.

I think it’s always an advantage to wrestle somebody because then you have the ability to adjust.”

Yet, no matter which team Havre faces, the top-ranked Ponies will be the heavy favorite. And, with a nearperfect dual record this season, even against Class AA schools, few, if any teams in attendance actually stand the chance of pulling the upset.

“I think we will be fine,” Filius said. “We have some great individual matchups with kids from some other teams, but as a team I think

Duals: Results from Class A Duals in Lewistown ■ From Page 15 ule this week as they will dual Great Falls High Tuesday night inside the HHS gymnasium, before heading to the Malta Invitational next Saturday in Malta. The Eastern A Divisional will be held in Havre Feb. 6 and the All-Class State tournament will take place in Billings Feb. 12-13.

Class A Duals At Lewistown Friday Havre 53, Laurel 12 103: Caleb Ripley Laurel won by forfeit; 113: Ryan Stewart Havre major dec Matt Glennon Laurel 10-0; 120: Martin Wilkie Havre tech fall Peyton Boltalden Laurel; 126: Lane Paulson Havre won by forfeit; 132: Loga Pleninger Havre dec Clayton Carter Laurel 3-2; 138: Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Jordan Shoval Laurel 1:01; 145: Connor Ludwig Laurel pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre 3:33; 152: Parker Filius Havre pinned Mason Fend Laurel 1:14; 160: Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Kyle Cannon Laurel 203; 170: Walter White Havre dec Brett McBurney Laurel 3-2; 182: Jase Stokes Havre pinned Jon Jares Laurel 1:50; 205: Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285: Travis Adams Havre dec Brandon Connly Laurel 8-5.

Havre 49, Hamilton 18

103: Double forfeit; 113: Ryan Stewart Havre dec Micheal Golden Hamilton 6-4 OT; 120: Martin Wilkie Havre pinned Adrian Garcia Hamiton; 126: Caden Brown Hamilton dec Lane Paulson Havre 10-4; 132: Logan Pleninger Havre dec Steven Banks Hamilton 9-1; 138: Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Dustin Copeland Hamilton; 145: Kris Anderson Hamilton pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre; 152: Parker Filius Havre tech fall Steven Scheffer Hamilton; 160: Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Manny Rivear Hamilton 17-2; 170: Walter White Havre pinned Christian Ellis Hamilton; 180: Jase Stokes Havre pinned Kyle Anderson Hamilton; 205: Justin Hinson Hamilton dec Tyler Schaub Havre 14-8; 285: Travis Adams Have pinned Justin Murray Hamilton.

Havre 69, Whitefish 0 103: Double forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre pinned Taisuke Matsuo WF; 120: Martin Wilke Havre pinned Eli Taylor WF; 126: Lane Paulson Havre pinned Isaac Watts WF; 132: Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Robert Bertelson WF; 138: Kody Pribly Havre pinned James Buckley; 145: Jazz Schroeder Havre won by forfeit; 152: Parker Filius Havre pinned Malik Meydon WF; 160: Dane Flammond Havre pinned Alex Mazzonett WF; 170: Walter White Havre dec Konrad Zinke WF 3-1; 182: Jase Stokes Havre won by forfeit; 205: Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285: Travis Adams Havre pinned Steven Quimey WF. Saturday

Championship – Havre 57, Polson 18 103 RJ Pierre Polson won by forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre won by forfeit; 120 Martin Wilkie Havre pinned Bridger Wenzel Polson; 126 Thunder Morales Polson pinned Lane Paulson Havre; 132 Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Cam Brown Polson; 138 Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Jabe Wendt Polson; 145 Parker Adler Polson pinned Jazz Schroeder Havre; 152 Kollin Nystrum Havre won by forfeit; 160 Dane Flammond Havre pinned Colton Cote Polson; 170 Walter White Havre Pinned Koby Garcia Polson; 182 Jase Stokes Havre Pinned Noah Humphreys Polson; 205 Tyler Schaub Havre dec Mike Corrigan Polson 5-1; 285 Travis Adams Havre pinned Nick Marquart Polson Havre 61, Lewistown 4 103 Double forfeit; 113 Ryan Stewart Havre pinned Talon Arndt Fergus; 120 Martin Wilke Havre dec Caleb Birdwell Fergus 4-3; 126 Lane Paulson Havre pinned Tanner Mannin Fergus; 132 Logan Pleninger Havre pinned Chase Farrar; 138 Kody Pribyl Havre pinned Grady Gilpartick Fergus; 145 Jazz Schroeder Havre pinned Jordan Moody Fergus; 152 Parker Filius Havre dec Alex Wickens Fergus 18-3; 160 Dane Flammond Havre tech fall Chad Lander Fergus 16-0; 170 Wyatt Blythe Fergus dec Walter White Havre 16-5; 182 Jase Stokes Havre pinned Bradley Denton Fergus; 205 Tyler Schaub Havre won by forfeit; 285 Travis Adams Havre won by forfeit.

we are just too deep for anybody.”

The only real weakness in the Havre lineup has been the fact that it normally has two open weights at 126 and 132. However, having two open spots has not hurt HHS yet this season in dual competition and with Lane Paulson set to the fill in at 126 pounds this weekend, it won’t in Lewistown either.

“For duals it’s huge not having to give up that six points,” Filius said. “We have had to give away two (weights) most of the year and sometimes three so it will be nice. It will be the least we have forfeited.”

Whenever you are talking about the Ponies, the conversation has to start with their three returning individual state champions, Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams.

Filius, who wrestles at 152

pounds, Stokes, who wrestles at 182 and Adams, who is a heavyweight, are each coming off individual titles at the Jug Beck last weekend. And each wrestler seems to be on the top of his game right now, which is bad news for their opponents.

“They have set the tone in the practice room,” coach Filius said. “They have been our leaders the past few years but they are really stepping up in terms of the work ethic and the rest of the team has followed.”

However, the Ponies are about much more than Filius, Stokes and Adams. There are many teams with two or three good wrestlers, but few can match the depth Havre has.

That's because after their big three, the Ponies have numerous other wrestlers capable of big-time performances, starting with Ryan

Stewart at 113 pounds and freshmen Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds. Then there is Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Kody Pribyl at 138 pounds, Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds, Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, Walter White at 170 pounds and Tyler Schuab at 205 pounds.

That is the normal Havre lineup, but with the Eastern A Divisional meet and the Class A state meet just weeks away, coach Filius also said he would use the meet to get some of his inexperienced wrestlers, more time on the mat. Those wrestlers, in addition to Paulson, are Jared Sienkowski (HWT) and Kollin Nystrom (145).

After the Class A Duals in Lewistown this weekend, the Ponies are scheduled to dual Great Falls High inside the HHS gymnasium on Jan. 26, before closing the regular season Jan. 30 in Malta.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News The Havre High wrestling team doesn't host a lot of duals at home, but when the Blue Ponies do host one and it's against Great Falls High, it's a must-see for wrestling fans.

Tuesday night inside the HHS gymasnium, the two teams, which are each defending state champions, put on a show for everyone in attendance. And when it was all said and done, it was the Ponies who prevailed on senior night, 33-27.

"It's always hard when you wrestle your last home match," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "You are conflicted a bit. We left a lot of points out there, which was frustrating, but that doesn't diminish their effort (Great Falls High) to get those points and you have to give them credit as well."

Starting out, things didn't look good for the Ponies as they forfeited a match at 103 pounds and then gave up six

more points when Caleb McMillen pinned Ryan Stewart to give the Bison a 12-0 advantage.

Havre and GFH split the next two matches as Martin Wilkie of Havre earned a 13-0 major decision over Jack Dressel, while Russell Wienholz made quick work of the Ponies' Lane Paulson, who was pinned in 20 seconds, which put the Bison up 18-4.

Logan Pleninger, one of the three seniors in action for Havre, did his part to get things back on track as he earned a technical fall in the 132-pound class, by way of a 15-0 decision to get the Ponies within striking distance at 18-9.

The next match, which featured Havre senior Kody Pribyl and Chase Perry of Great Falls going at it at 138 pounds, would define the dual.

For much of the match, Pribyl was in control and held a 2-0 lead heading into the final period. Yet, Perry took advantage of an opening and managed to not only,

Pleninger

Pribyl

notch a two-point takedown, but also a near fall, which gave him a 5-2 lead with less than 10 seconds to go.

Facing defeat, Pribyl dug deep. He escaped the hold (1 point) and earned a two-point takedown with three seconds left to force overtime. And in the extra frame, Pribyl got a quick takedown to post a dramatic 7-5 win.

"I was just thinking that I didn't want to give up the pin," Pribyl said. "It was a close dual as is and I was just trying not to get pinned.

The position favored him, but I was able to reverse him and get the two to send it to overtime.

Adams

"I was super excited," Pribyl added about his overtime victory. "It's senior night and I thought it was a big win for me. The whole crowd was into it and that made me feel really good."

Thanks to Pribyl's victory, Havre was within six at 18-12, instead of facing a 21-9 deficit, which might have proven difficult to overcome.

Jordan Kormac did win the next match for the Bison at 145 pounds, as he pinned Jazz Schroeder, putting the Bison in front 24-12, but the Ponies would go on to win the next four matches as Parker Filius (152 pounds), Dane

Flammond (160 pounds), Walter White (170 pounds) and Jase Stokes all posted victories to give HHS its first lead of the dual at 27-24 with two weights remaining.

Tyler Schaub had a chance to put the win on ice with a pin at 205 pounds against Rylan Moldenhauer.

But, the sophomore couldn't get over the hump and ended up dropping the match 4-2, which tied things up, with only the heavyweights left on the docket.

Since it was senior night, it seemed fitting that the dual would come down the heavyweights and when it did, Havre senior Travis Adams made sure he made the most of his opportunity. The defending state champion made quick work of Terrel Mitchell, his rival from Great Falls High, pinning him in 1:13 to cap the night and secure the win for Havre.

"All three of the seniors were big," Filius said. "Logan got a tech fall, Kody came from behind and Travis got that last pin. I think

that says a lot about the character of those seniors.

We had some other kids that underperformed but a lot of that still is just (Great Falls) competing."

The Ponies will take part in their last regular season tournament of the year Saturday, when they will travel to Malta for the Malta Invitational.

Havre 33, Great Falls High 27 103 - Kole WritingBird, GFH, wins by forfeit; 113 - Caleb McMilen, GFH, pinned Ryan Stewart, HAV, 4:29; 120 Martin Wilkie, HAV, dec. Jack Dressel, GFH, 13-0; 126 - Russell Wienholz, GFH, pinned Lane Paulson, HAV, :20; 132 - Logan Pleninger, HAV, dec. Blade Massey, GFH, 15-0; 138 - Kody Pribyl, HAV, dec. Chase Perry, GFH, 7-5; 145 - Jordan Kormac, GFH, pinned Jazz Schroeder, HAV, 1:13; 152 - Parker Filius, HAV, dec. Chase Short, GFH, 11-4; 160 - Dane Flammond, HAV, dec.

Tommy McMillen, GFH, 1-0; 171 - Walter White, HAV, dec. Mitchell Heffernan, GFH, 6-0; 182 - Jase Stokes, HAV, pinned Travis Tomei, GFH, 1:32; 205 - Ryan Moldenhauer, GFH, dec. Tyler Schaub, HAV, 4-2; HWT - Travis Adams, HAV, pinned Terrel Mitchell, GFH, 1:13.

12

2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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21

2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Blue Ponies dominate Malta Invite mats Rocky Mountain Champs, again Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

In their final wrestling meet of the regular season, the Havre Blue Ponies went to Malta and did what they always do — win. And they did so once again in convincing fashion.

The one-day tournament in Malta served as a final tune up for the Ponies, who will wrestle in the Eastern A Divisional next Saturday in Havre.

And in its final dress rehearsal, Havre didn't disappoint, placing a total of 11 wrestlers and coming away with six individual champions. Thanks to their dominance, the Ponies racked up 265 points to easily walk away with the team title. Choteau finished second with 118 and Shepherd was third with 112.

"We were sharp," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "It was a good warm up for divisionals. The kids were considerably sharper than they were on Tuesday (against Great Falls High) and I was pleased with them."

There were a number of Havre wrestlers who were impressive Saturday, but the one with the most impressive victory of the day had to be junior Jase Stokes.

A few weeks ago at the Cut Bank Invitational, Stokes, who wrestles in the 182-pound weight class, lost in the

finals to Steeler French from Choteau, one of just a handful of losses this season for Stokes, a two-time state champ.

Yet, this time, when the two wrestlers met for the championship at 182 pounds, it was Stokes, who came out on top and won the individual title.

"Yeah, it was a good win," Filius said of Stokes’ victory over French.

"The first match between them was close and this match was a close one.

They are two evenly matched kids and Jase performed very well."

The other Havre wrestlers that won their weight classes were Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Parker Filius at 152 pounds, Tyler Schaub at 205 pounds and Travis Adams in the heavyweight class.

The Ponies had three others who made it to the finals, only to come up short of the title. One of those individuals was Kody Pribly, who lost a hard-fought match to Chinook's Tate Niederegger at 138 pounds. Niederegger is a defending state champion at the Class B-C level. Ryan Stewart also finished second at 113 pounds, as did Dane Flammond at 160 pounds.

Jazz Schroeder also finished third at 145 pounds and Walter White came in fourth at 170 pounds.

"I think Walter White had a good

weekend," Filius said. "Walter has been in the lineup all year and he is wrestling as good right now as he has all year. It was a good weekend all around."

The team title in Malta put the finishing touches on an impressive regular season for the top-ranked Ponies, who will begin their quest for a fourth consecutive Class A state title at the Eastern A Divisional Saturday at the HHS gymnasium.

"Yeah, I do," Filius said when asked if he liked where his team was at heading into divisionals. "The kids are sharp, they are healthy, they are well rested. I am excited for where we're at."

Malta Invitational Team scores: 1, Havre, 265; 2, Choteau, 118; 3, Shepherd, 112; 4, Glasgow, 103; 5, Malta, 80.5; 6, Cut Bank, 70; T7, Chinook, 53; T7, Harlem 53; 9, Wolf Point, 41; 10, Valier, 36; 11, Chester/J-I, 29; 12, Circle, 19; 13, Poplar, 12.5; 14, Hays-Lodgepole, 4.

Kevin Salsbery Memorial Outstanding Wrestler: Jase Stokes, Havre.

Individual Order of Finish 103: Chase DeBoo, Cho; Gabe Hallock, Gla; Trisetan Kemp, WP; Drew Shortman, HL.

Blue Ponies win second straight Jug Beck title in Missoula Chris Peterson

Wilkie

Pleninger

Filius

Stokes

Schipman, Mal; Tanner VandenBos, Val. 126: Trevor Moore, Cho; Trey Simanton, Mal; Isaac Ramos, Val; Kolton Bishop, Har. 132: Logan Pleninger, Hav; James Spence, She; Trey Taylor, Cir; Kasey Seyfert, Gla. 138: Tate Niederegger, Chi; Kody Pribyl, Hav; Mick Reyling, Gla; T'Jay Allen, Har. 145: Cody King, Gla; Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI; Jazz Schroeder, Hav; Kameron Powell, She. 152: Parker Filius, Hav; Travis Tatkenhorst, She; JR Seewald, CB; Alex Hallock, Gla.

113: Matt Reyling, Gla; Ryan Stewart, Hav; Pete Henderson, Cho; Karson Wortman, WP.

160: Taner Stone, Cho; Dane Flammond, Hav; Spencer Dougherty, She; Jeffery Berger, Pop. 170: Jace Berkram, CB; Sonny Cochran, She; Jordan Pierce, Mal; Walter White, Hav.

120: Martin Wilke, Hav; Quinn Whitmus, WP; Koler

182: Jase Stokes, Hav; Steeler French, Cho; Jesse

Schaub

Adams

Dannels, Chi; Cory Kelly, CJI. 205: Tyler Schaub, Hav; Kevin Young, Chi; Reece Hutton, Har; JR Caplette, Hav. 285: Travis Adams, Hav; Lucas Dekker, She; Justin Pfiefer, CB; Denver Krone, Cho.

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com Ahead of the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, Havre High head coach Scott Filius said that it was the best wrestling tournament in the state of Montana. And after his team captured the tournament for the second straight year this past weekend, it's not hard to see why the Blue Ponies are the best the state of Montana has to offer.

With essentially all the top teams from Montana in attendance, as well as some from Idaho, Washington and Wyoming, the Ponies flexed their muscle again on the mats, winning the first-place prize with 193 points. Missoula Sentinel was second with 165 and Powell, Wyoming was third with 161.

It's hard enough to win a tournament like the Jug Beck with a full lineup, but the fact that the Ponies did it with wrestlers at 11 of the 13 weights makes it even more impressive. In all, eight of Havre's wrestlers wound up placing, with three individuals, Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams coming away with individual titles. And all three did so in dominating fashion.

"It's a great accomplishment for these kids," Filius said. "It's so interesting when you have the AA schools and the other big schools because they are a little deeper and so we always have some ground to make up. But the kids did a great job, it was a fun weekend."

First, Parker Filius was able to take home the title at 152 pounds after he earned a major decision over Chase Short of Great Falls High, 9-0. Then Stokes did something similar in the 182-pound final, as he won a 8-0 major decision over Caiden Crawford of Helena High.

And finally, Adams locked down the individual title in the heavyweight class with a pin of Bryce Blumenschein of Belgrade in 3:36.

Yet, in addition to the outstanding efforts put forth by Filius, Stokes and Adams, all of whom fell short of individual titles at the tournament a year ago, five other Havre wrestlers placed in the event, including Logan Pleninger and Dane Flammond, who were third at 132 and 160 pounds, respectively.

Freshman Martin Wilkie continued his impressive campaign as he

walked away with a fourth-place showing at 120 pounds, while Ryan Stewart finished fifth at 113 pounds, and in the 205-pound weight class, Tyler Schaub came in seventh.

"Last year we had a bunch of kids in the finals and only one won one," Filius said. "This year we had three kids in the finals and won all three of them. The kids really did a great job of getting a lot of wins in those matches at the end."

What makes Havre's win even more impressive is that over the two-day meet, the Ponies held the lead for the majority of the time.

After the first day of action, in which HHS advanced six wrestlers into the semifinals, it finished the day leading with 107.5 points, well ahead of Missoula Sentinel, which trailed with 91 and Great Falls High, which had 89.

"We really have a great group of kids," FIlius said. "They have set really high standards for themselves and they worked really hard to achieve so that makes it fun."

The win at the Jug Beck was the perfect ending to a pretty good week for the Ponies, who also made a trip to Great Falls last Thursday to dual Class AA rival CMR. And Havre, which has lost just one dual all season, made sure it didn't lose another, knocking off the Rustlers in dominating fashion by the score of 45-15.

The Ponies gave up six points to CMR thanks to an open spot at 103 pounds, but then won the next three matches, getting a win by way of 8-1 decision by Ryan Stewart at 113, followed by three consecutive pins

by Lane Paulson at 120, Wilkie at 126 and Pleninger at 132.

CMR added to its point total with wins at 138 pounds and 145 pounds, but after Filius pinned Trevor LeBrun, HHS led 33-12. Havre would then close the match by winning at four of the next five weights as Flammond (160), Stokes (182).

Schaub (205) and Adams (HWT) all notched victories.

"CMR is a young team and they were pretty banged up," Filius said.

"The kids wrestled well down there and I thought it was good for us to get some matches before (Jug Beck). I don't think winning or losing necessarily helps but getting those matches before seems to help us."

The Ponies will be back in action this Friday and Saturday when they will be in Lewistown to defend their title at the Class A Duals. And with just a few weeks remaining before divisionals and state, coach Filius said he likes his and where they currently stand.

"We have to individualize with

each one of our kids," Filius said.

"We will spend a lot of on getting sharper and getting in better shape but I like where we're at."

Hegel, MSN, 3-2.

Semifinals – Cam Sorenson, UHI, dec. Logan Pleninger, HAV, 3-0; Jake Hegel, MSN, pin Cameron Brown, POL, 1:43.

JUG BECK ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC at Missoula

Third place – Pleninger, HAV, dec. Brown, POL, 8-2.

Team scores – 1, Havre 193; 2, Missoula Sentinel 165; 3, Powell 161; 4, Central Valley 145; 5, Great Falls 137; 6, University 128.5; 7, Kalispell Flathead 123; 8, Helena 120.5; 9, Missoula Big Sky 118; 10, Butte 113; 11, Clarkston 108.5; 12, Mead 107; 13, Bozeman 100.5; 14, Polson 94; 15, Belgrade 82.5; 16, Helena Capital 75; 17, Coeur d'Alene 69.5; 18, Columbia Falls 68; t-19, Great Falls CMR 54.5; t-19, Ronan 54.5; 21, Lewiston 43; 22, Fergus 42; 23, Hamilton 39; 24, Ferris 36; 25, Kalispell Glacier 34.5; 26, Lake City 27; 27, Libby 25; 28, Missoula Hellgate 23; 29, Corvallis 21; 30, Frenchtown 15; 31, Superior 4; 32, Great Falls Central 0.

Fifth place – Braxton Henningsen, BUT, pin Kaden Lahti, MBS, 4:17.

103 pounds Championship – Dalton Port, CLK, pin Chance McLane, BOZ, :53.

Third place – Jace Kovalicky, MSN, dec. Gage Connole, CV, 3-2.

Semifinals – Dalton Port, CLK, dec. Chase Tebbets, MED, 6-0; Chance McLane, BOZ, pin R.J. Pierre, POL, 1:45.

Third place – Tebbets, MED, dec. Pierre, POL, 8-3.

Fifth place – Tyler Casey, BUT, pin Dayton Evans, MBS, 1:45.

Seventh place – Tyrell Simms, CV, maj. dec. Blake Tellinghusen, UHI, 12-0.

113 pounds Championship – Bjorn Schroeder, BOZ, maj. dec.

Hunter Peterson, RON, 9-1.

Semifinals – Bjorn Schroeder, BOZ, pin Kaleb Macioseck, CDA, 3:02; Hunter Peterson, RON, pin. Ryan Stewart, HAV, 1:39.

Third place – Devin Crawford, HEL, dec. Macioseck, CDA, 7-5.

Fifth place – Terrell Sanders, UHI, dec. Stewart, HAV, 3-1.

Seventh place – Reece Eckley, MSN, dec. Bryce Shaffer, FLT, 7-3.

120 pounds Championship – Trae Vasquez, FLT, dec. Nick Kunz, CAP, 8-5.

Semifinals – Nick Kunz, CAP, dec. Caleb Birdwell, FRG, 4-0; Trae Vasquez, FLT,maj. dec. Wyatt Gordon, MBS, 8-0.

Third place – Gordon, MBS, dec. Martin Wilkie, HAV, 15-14.

Fifth place – Birdwell, FRG, def. Kale Evanson, BOZ. Seventh place – Spencer Clegg, CLK, dec. Bryce Gardner, CV, 6-2.

126 pounds Championship – Bryson Beard, CV, dec. Sawyer Degen, BEL, 4-0.

Semifinals – Bryson Beard, CV, def. Ty Hendren, LEW; Sawyer Degen, BEL, dec. Ben Windauer, CF, 2-0.

Third place – Reese Karst, POW, pin Kyle Gordon, MBS, 2:12.

Fifth place – Windauer, CF, def. Hendren, LEW. Seventh place – Max Clark, UHI, dec. Jake Freeman, CLK, 13-10.

132 pounds Championship – Cam Sorenson, UHI, dec. Jake

Seventh place – Blade Massey, GFH, pin. Tanner Benton, CLK, :38.

138 pounds Championship – Chance Karst, POW, dec. Payton Hume, FLT, 4-0.

Semifinals – Chance Karst, POW, pin. Kaleb Gravelin, CF, 3:23; Payton Hume, FLT, maj. dec. Dylan Lockwood, CDA; 11-2.

Fifth place – Gravelin, CF, def. Lockwood, CDA. Seventh place – Kai Stewart, CMR, dec. Shawn Olson, MHG, 5-3.

145 pounds Championship –Jarrett Degen, BEL, tech Jordan Komac, GFH, 23-8.

Semifinals – Jarrett Degen, BEL, pin. Braedon Orrino, CV, 5:19; Jordan Komac, GFH, dec. Logan McGreevey, MBS, 5-3.

Third place – Orrino, CV, dec. Dylan Duffalo, MSN, 3-1.

Fifth place – McGreevey, MBS, dec. Nick Moreni, HEL, 2-1.

Seventh place – Jared Niess, RON, pin Mason Fetters, CF, 2:25.

152 pounds Championship – Parker Filius, HAV, maj. dec.

Chase Short, GFH, 9-0.

Semifinals – Parker Filius, HAV, tech Noah Manibusan, HEL, 16-0; Chase Short, GFH, maj. dec. Nic Urbach, POW, 15-6.

Third place – Urbach, POW, dec. Manibusan, HEL, 9-6.

Fifth place – Christian Hunter, MED, dec. Alex Wickens, FRG, 3-0.

Seventh place – Chandler Paulson, MSN, dec. Kyle Neil, CV, 4-0.

160 pounds Championship – Tommy McMillen, GFH, pin Zach Stratton, CV, 3:31.

Semifinals – Tommy McMillen, GFH, dec. Tucker Darrah, POW, 7-6; Zach Stratton, CV, dec. Dane Flammond, HAV, :26.

Third place – Flammond, HAV, dec. Braxten Wilcox, MBS, 7-5.

Fifth place – Darrah, POW, dec. Tucker Nadeau, FLT, 9-2.

Seventh place – Brandon Cooper, BOZ, dec. Chance Stack, MSN, 5-0.

170 pounds Championship – Trevor Senn, MED, dec. Bryar Newbary, MSN, 9-4.

Semifinals – Bryar Newbary, MSN, pin Kadon Queer, BUT, 1:59; Trevor Senn, MED, dec. Hayden Schrull, HEL, 3-2.

Third place – Schrull, HEL, tech Queer, BUT, 18-2.

Fifth place – Teagen Cordes, POW, dec. Andrew Olvera, LCT, 5-2.

Seventh place – Matt Gash-Gilder, FLT, dec. Clayton Norman, FER, 4-1.

182 pounds Championship – Jase Stokes, HAV, maj. dec.

Caiden Crawford, HEL, 8-0.

Semifinals – Jase Stokes, HAV, maj. dec. Logan Wilson, FLT, 12-0; Caiden Crawford, HEL, dec. Levi Meinzinger, UHI, 6-4.

Third place – Meinzinger, UHI, def. Wilson, FLT. Fifth place – Ty Dearcorn, POW, pin Hunter Sisemore, CLK, 2:15.

Seventh place – Cody Cromer, LEW, def. Kory Broussard, CAP. 205 pounds Championship – Dylan Beeler, CLK, maj. dec. Zach Easum, POW, 8-0.

Semifinals – Dylan Beeler, CLK, pin Tyler Rickel, UHI, 3:05; Zach Easum, POW, pin Mike Corrigan, POL, 1:25.

Third place – Justin Hinson, HAM, dec. Corrigan, POL, 7-5.

Fifth place – Rickel, UHI, pin David Petersen, CAP, 3:30.

Seventh place – Tyler Schaub, HAV, dec. Rylan Moldenhauer, GFH, 5-3.

285 pounds Championship – Travis Adams, HAV, pin Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:36.

Semifinals – Travis Adams, HAV, pin Wyatt Wickham, CV, :42; Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, dec. Luke Channer, COR, 6-0.

Third place – Noah Danielson, CMR, dec. Jake Rebish, MSN, 4-2.

Fifth place – Channer, COR, pin. Wickham, CV, :19.

Seventh place – Sheldon Fladland, CAP, dec. Eli Horn, GLA, 4-3.

Havre 45, CMR 15 Thursday

103 – Andrew Paradise (CMR) win by forfeit; 113 – Ryan Stewart (Havre) d. Carter Carroll (CMR) 8-1; 120 – Lane Paulson (Havre) p. Dillon DeJean (2:40); 126 – Martin Wilkie (Havre) p. Tyler Gentry (CMR) (1:30); 132 – Logan Pleninger (Havre) p. Tanner Tovson (CMR) (1:35); 138 – Kai Stewart (CMR) d. Kody Pribyl (Havre) 9-8; 145 – Tanner Farren (CMR) d. Jazz Schroeder (Havre) 4-0; 152 – Parker Filius (Havre) p. Trevor LeBrun; 160 – Havre win by forfeit; 170 – Max Sechena (CMR) d. Walter White (Havre) 5-4; 182 – Jace Stokes (Havre) p. Grayden Irish (0:10); 205 – Tyler Schaub (Havre) d. KC Buday (CMR) 14-4; 285 – Travis Adams (Havre) d. Noah Danielson (Havre) 2-0.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Ponies look to summit the Rockies HHS wrestlers head to Rocky Mountain Classic following tonight's dual at Class AA CMR Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team is used to winning big tournaments.

In fact, the Blue Ponies are used to winning just about every tournament they enter, but this weekend, at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, Havre will face as big a challenge as it’s faced all season.

The meet, which is without a doubt the most prestigious high school meet in the state of Montana, outside the All-Class State wrestling tournament, starts Friday and will conclude Saturday with Missoula Sentinel High School serving as the host.

While the Ponies will be in Missoula Friday and Saturday competing against some of the best competition from Montana, Idaho,

Wyoming and Washington, they have a date with CMR for a dual today in Great Falls.

Havre is certainly familiar with CMR, just as the Rustlers are no stranger to the Ponies. The two teams have competed in a number of tournaments and even though they haven’t gone head-to-head in a dual, they are quite familiar with each other.

“We have seen them quite a bit,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of CMR. “They have a few good kids, but their good kids are at the same weights as some of our better kids.

In the past we have been able to win some of those. So I would think we would do pretty well against them, but they have gotten us a couple times down there in the past.”

There are no Class A rankings, but there are Class AA rankings and even though the Rustlers aren’t currently ranked as a team, they do have some high-ranking individuals.

No one on the Rustler team ranks higher than Nick Nordell, who is the top-ranked wrestler in the AA ranks in the 205-pound weight class.

He will face Tyler Schaub from Havre, which should be a compelling match.

The match between heavyweights should also be intriguing as Havre’s Travis Adams, who won an individual state title a year ago faces Noah Danielson, who ranks second in Class A in the heavyweight division.

The one advantage CMR has in the dual with Havre will be depth.

The Ponies will still have just 11 weight classes filled up and will have two open spots in the lineup.

Yet, Havre makes up for a lack of depth with an incredible amount of

Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds. Then, there is Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, Kody Pribyl at 138 and Jazz Schroeder at 145 pounds. At 152 pounds, the Ponies have Parker Filius, one of the top individuals in the state, followed by Dane Flammond at 160, Walter White at 170, Jase Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams at heavyweight.

After taking on the Rustlers tonight, the Ponies will turn their attention toward defending their crown the Rocky Mountain Classic,

"More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. Some have wrestled without great skill - none have wrestled without pride."

Dan Gable

talent and it starts at the top of the lineup and goes all the way down to Adams at the bottom.

Starting things off for Havre is Ryan Stewart at 113 pounds and

which starts Friday in Missoula. In all, there will be 38 teams present from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.

“This is the best meet in the state

of Montana,” coach Filius said. “I think it’s the second best one we go to, the Tri-State is the best, but this one has some great competition. You have the best teams from Montana and then a team like Powell, Wyoming, which has won some state championships and also teams from Spokane, which are usually very tough.”

Last year, the Ponies won the meet thanks to five finalists and eight wrestlers who placed. While Havre’s only individual champion at the meet a year ago moved on, both Filius and Stokes are back after losing in the finals. And on top of that, both Pleninger and Adams return to the tournament after third-place finishes a season ago, while Pribyl is back after finishing fourth.

“We try to build to this meet,” Filius said. “We have had a number of teams that have come in and for a number of reasons finished second. We only have guys in 11 of 13 weights, so that can be a factor. But, it would be a great achievement for the kids if we could do what we set out to do and win the tournament.

Havre will take on CMR today in Great Falls at 5, before heading to Missoula for the Rocky Mountain Classic, which begins Friday morning and concludes Saturday.

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It's Mat Time in Havre

Blue Ponies ready to rumble at home Havre High heavy favorites as the new Eastern A Divisional comes to the HHS gymnasium Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

For years, the Havre High wrestling team has dominated divisional wrestling tournaments. But that competition was the Central A divisional and, now, the Blue Ponies will be competing in the Eastern A Divisional, which is something altogether different.

The Eastern A tournament, which will be hosted

by Havre inside the HHS gymnasium Saturday starting at 9 a.m., is essentially a combination of the old Eastern A and Central A divisional tournaments. Instead of having five or six teams, there will be 11 in action and they will be competing for berths in the Class A state tournament next weekend.

“I will tell you in a couple days,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said about the changes. “But I was in favor of them. I think that it makes a better tournament, an actual tournament. Before we would have times where kids would hardly wrestle any matches at divisionals and that doesn’t seem right.

So I like the format, I think that it’s going to reward the teams that are the best and the deepest.

“I also think it will make the state tournament better,” he added. “That is one of the biggest reasons why I was in favor of it. A lot of times you had two of the best wrestlers facing each other in the semifinals and know you won’t see that happen as much.”

The increase in teams means an increase in competition. And in many years that would mean an eventual

2016 Eastern A Divisional Wrestling Tournament Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at the HHS gymnasium Teams: Havre, Belgrade, Livingston, Lewistown, Browning, Sidney, Glendive, Laurel, Hardin, Miles City, Billings Central.

At Stake: The top eight wrestlers in each weight class advance to the Class A state tournament next week in Billings. showdown between Havre and Sidney, the traditional powers in Class A wrestling for the team championship.

This season, though, Sidney is not quite as powerful as the Eagles have been in the past. Additionally, there are a number of up and coming teams in the Eastern A that will try to upend Havre, the prohibitive favorite to win it.

“I am not really sure about the Eastern teams because I haven’t seen them a whole lot,” Filius said. “Glendive and Laurel were probably the toughest teams that I saw. Miles City and Hardin were pretty tough too. I just don’t know about Sidney because we didn’t see them all year.”

Even though the format at divisionals is different, the goal for the Ponies is still the same and still twofold: win the team title and get all 16 of their individual wrestlers to quality for next week’s state tournament.

Of course the Ponies are in great shape to do just that with a lineup that is loaded with talent from top to bot-

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High's Jase Stokes, right, is one of three returning state champions for the top-ranked Havre Blue Ponies. HHS hosted the new Eastern A Divisional tournament. tom. In the lighter weights, the Ponies will be led by Ryan Stewart, who will wrestle at 120 pounds and freshman Martin Wilkie, who will look to continue his sensational season with a divisional championship.

Havre will be open at 126 pounds, but at 132 pounds, the Ponies will boast Logan Pleninger, the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class and a three-time medalist at state. At 138 pounds, Havre will put out another threetime medalist in Kody Pribyl. Manning the spot at 145 pounds will be sophomore

Jazz Schroeder.

As the Ponies move up in weight classes, their team becomes even stronger, starting with Parker Filius, a twotime state champion, who will compete at 152 pounds.

He will be followed by Dane Flammond at 160 pounds and Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds.

At 182 pounds, the second of Havre’s three individual state champions will wrestle Jase Stokes, who is a twotime state champ in his own right. At 205 pounds will be talented sophomore Tyler Schaub and in the heavyweight class is defending

state champ Travis Adams.

In addition to his normal varsity wrestlers, coach Filius gets to add four others to his roster this week: Kollin Nystrom, who will wrestle at 145 pounds, Jared Laux at 152, JayR Caplette at 205 pounds and Jared Sienkowski in the heavyweight class.

In order for individuals to qualify for the state meet, they must finish in the top eight in their weight class, something which Filius believes all of his kids are capable of doing.

“I think we have a good chance to get all our kids

through,” Filius said. “I don’t think changing the format will have anything to do with that, but I will let you know in a couple of days.”

The Eastern A Divisional meet, which features Havre, Belgrade, Livingston, Browning, Lewistown, Sidney, Glendive, Laurel, Hardin, Miles City and Billings Central, will start at 9 a.m., inside the HHS gymnasium. The finals should take place at approximately 3-4 p.m. Wrestlers who qualify advance to next week’s state tourney in Billings.

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2016 Eastern A Divisional Wrestling Results Pony matmen extend their reign in Cut Bank gan, BC; Consolation Final - Lost 11-1 dec.

Eric LaFrontaine, HAR.

Team scores: Havre 273.5, Sidney 216, Laurel 202, Hardin 179.5, Glendive 168, Lewistown 167.5, Belgrade 148, Billings Central 125, Browning 72, Livingston 71, Miles City 68.

- Connor Ludwig, LAU, dec. 3-1 Parker Dean, SID; 152 - Bridger Coffman, SID, 7-4 dec.

Cade Dockier, GLE; 160 - Dylan Loring, BRO, 7-6 dec. Tyler Clapp, GLE; 170 - Kyle Cannon, LAU, 9-2 dec. Gunnar Gillespie, SID; 182 Jon Jares, LAU, 4-2 dec. LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR; 205 - Braden Watson, BC, 5-2 dec.

Caid Dickman, MC; HWT - Cole Jesson, LIV, pinned Brandon Connolly, LAU, 2:07.

Championship - 103 - Christian Dean, SID, 9-1 dec. Adam Bankert, LIV; 113 - Travis Kinn, GLE, 4-0 dec. Ben Stortz, GLE; 120 - Martin Wilkie, HAV, 5-2 dec. Caleb Birdwell, LEW; 126 - Sawyer Degen, pinned Trey Sokoloski, GLE, 1:15; 132 - Logan Pleninger, HAV, pinned Clayton Carter, LAU, 4:41; 138 Kody Pribyl, HAV, pinned Pat Comstock, BC, 1:57; 145 - Jarrett Degen, BEL, pinned Brenden Roan, HAR, 3:25; 152 - Parker Filius, HAV, 14-3 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW; 160 - Dane Flammond, 9-0 dec. Chad Landers, LEW; Wyatt Blythe, LEW, pinned Cody Lucke, BRO, 1:06; Jase Stokes, HAV, 4-1 dec. Connor Murdoch, HAR; 205 - Hunter Severson, SID, 3-0 dec. Tyler Schaub, HAV; HWT Travis Adams, HAV, pinned Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:34.

Fifth Place - 103 - Wyatt Harmer, HAR, 6-5 dec. Austin Rollins, BEL; 113 - Matt Glennon, LAU, 6-0 dec. Jacob Morgan, BC; 120 - Bridger Grover, LEW, pinned Sean Comstock, BC, 3:43; 126 - Brandon Rockwell, BEL, pinned Lane Paulson, HAV< 2:09; 132 - Chase Farrer, LEW, pinned Issac Wippert, BRO, 0:59; 138 - Jace Johnson, SID, 10-0 dec.Avery Gurney, SID; 145 - Mason Fend, LAU, pinned Gabino Ramirez, BC; 152 - Justin Zier pinned Jaured Laux, HAV, 4:04; 160 - Quinton Drette, LIV, 17-5 dec. Tyler Laverty, LIV; 170 - Bradley Denton, LEW, 2-1 dec.

Brett McBurney, LAU; 182 - Bradley Boyce, LEW, pinned Josh Sundgren, MC, 3:00; 205 - Devyn Towner, BEL, pinned Uriah Turner, HAR; HWT - Grant Scalpcane, HAR 17-7 dec.

Kolton Wippert, BRO.

Third Place - 103 - Kaleb Ripley, LAU, pinned Josh Aisnebrey, SID, 0:36; 113 - Eric LoFontaine, HAR, 11-1 dec. Ryan Stewart, HAV; 120 - Tristan Syle, BEL, pinned Wyatt Vanburen, SID, 3:52; 126 - Jace Winter, SID, pinned Anthony James, GLE, 4:33; 132 - Brandon Held, GLE, 6-2 dec. Brady Gorder, SID; 145

Havre Individual Results

Quarterfinals - Pinned Jordan Shovar, LAU, 1:21; Semifinals - Pinned Bryce Roan, HAR, 1:11; Championship - Pinned Pat Comstock, BC, 1:57.

113 - Ryan Stewart (4th Place)

145 - Jazz Schroeder (8th Place)

Quarterfinals - 8-0 dec. Matt Glennon, LAU; Semifinals - pinned by Travis Kinn, GLE, 39; Consolation Semifinals - 8-0 dec. Jacob Mor-

First Round - Pinned by Mason Fend, LEW, 5:03: Consolation First Round - 16-0 technical fall Riley Weischedel, MC, Consolation

Eastern A at Havre High gymnasium

120 - Martin Wilkie (Champion)

Quarterfinals - Pinned by Gabino Ramirez, BC; 7th Place Match - Lost 8-4 dec. to AJ Ullmer, SID.

First Round - Pinned by Deon Gillen, LIVm 5:45; Consolation First Round - Pinned by Will Caprata, HAR.

First Round - pinned Trevor James, BRO, 1:21; Quarterfinals - pinned Cole Vandelinder, BC, 1:25; Semifinals - 12-2 dec. Tristan Slye, BEL; Finals - 5-2 dec. Caleb Birdwell, LEW;

145 - Kollin Nystrom

182 - Jase Stokes (Champion)

First Round - Pinned by Gabino Ramirez, BC; Consolation First Round - Pinned by AJ Ullmer, SID, 3:45;

126 - Lane Paulson (6th Place)

152 - Parker Filius (Champion)

Quarterfinals - Pinned Matt Fulton, GLE, 0:21; Semifinals - Pinned LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR, 1:41; Championship - 4-1 dec. Connor Murdoch, HAR.

Quarterfinals - lost 10-8 dec. Anthony James, GLE; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned Joe Murnion, MC; Consolation Semifinals Pinned by Jace Winter, SID; 5th-Place Match - Pinned by Brandon Rockwell, BEL.

Quarterfinals - Pinned Ben Harsha, HAR, 0:24; Semifinals - Pinned Bridger Coffman, SID, 0:14; Championship - 14-3 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW.

132 - Logan Pleninger (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Jacob Swipe, MC, 1:28; Semifinals - 8-0 dec. Brady Gorder, SID; Championship - Pinned Clayton Carter, LAU. 138 - Kody Pribyl (Champion)

152 - Jared Laux (6th Place) Quarterfinals - Lost 16-1 dec. Alex Wickens, LEW; Consolaton First Round - Pinned Justin New Breast, BRO, 2:41; Consolation Quarterfinals - Pinned Tanner Branstetter, LAU, 3:41; Consolation Semifinals - Pinned by Bridger Coffman, SID, 1:52; 5th Place Match - Pinned

by Justin Zier, HAR, 4:04.

160 - Dane Flammond - (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Larren Foust, SID, 0:45; Semifinals - 12-0 dec. Tyler Laverty, LIV; Championship - 9-0 dec. Chad Landers, LEW. 170 - Austin Ratliff

205 - Tyler Schaub (2nd Place) Quarterfinals - 11-0 dec. Zackery Wippert, BC; Semifinals - 13-1 dec. Braden Watson, BC; Championship - Lost 3-0 dec. Hunter Severson, SID. 205 - JayR Caplette (7th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Hunter Severson, SID, 1:46; Consolation Quarterfinals - Pinned

by Devyn Towner, BEL, 0:45; 7th Place Match - 11-4 dec. Zackery Wippert, BRO. 285 - Travis Adams (Champion) Quarterfinals - Pinned Keegan Mires, GLE, 1:09; Semifinals - Pinned Cole Jesson, LIV, 3:27; Championship - Pinned Bryce Blummenschein, BEL, 3:34.

285 - Jared Sienkowski First Round - Pinned by Brandon Connolly, LAU, 2:50; Consolation First Round - Lost 5-3 dec. Kolton Wippert, BRO.

Havre High wins 14th straight Cut Bank team title, crowns three individual champs Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre High wrestling team knows a thing or two about winning the Cut Bank Invitational, and Saturday, they proved it once again by winning their 14th consecutive team title there.

The Blue Ponies racked up 235.5 points over the course of the two-day tournament and ended up beating out Kalispell Flathead for the team title by a healthy margin. Flathead was second with 198 points, while Eureka was third with 196. Chinook also finished seventh with 114 points.

“It was a good weekend,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “The kids went down and wrestled really well, so I was pleased with that. We had kids in 10 weights, because we are open in three weights, and we scored points in all 10 weights, so you can’t do better than that.”

Havre’s effort was spurred on by its three individual champions, Logan Pleninger, who won the 132-pound weight class, Parker Filius, who took first at 152 pounds and Travis Adams, who won the heavyweight division.

Filius took home the title with a technical fall over Alex Wickins of Lewistown, while Pleninger won a 5-2 decision over Cole Giles of Fairfield/Simms. Adams won his championship match by

pinning Justin Pfeifer of Cut Bank in 3:47.

In addition to three firstplace finishers, the Ponies had four other wrestlers that reached the finals and settled for second. Martin Wilkie finished second at 120 pounds after falling to Trae Vasquez by way of a 15-1 decision. At 160 pounds, Dane Flammond lost a 6-0 decision to Taner Stone of Choteau to finish second, while Jase Stokes lost a 3-2 decision to Steeler French of Choteau to also place second at 182 pounds. And at 205 pounds, Tyler Schuab was a runner-up after losing 7-5 to Hunter Mycke of Conrad.

“Jase lost a tough match to French,” Coach Filius said.

“He had a call go against him right at the end, but he will get another chance to see him here in a couple weeks.”

When the tournament was all said and done, Havre had a total of 10 wrestlers that managed to place as Ryan Stewart finished third at 113 pounds, while Jazz Schroeder and Jared Sienkowski finished sixth at 145 pound and heavyweight, respectively.

“I was really pleased with all of my young kids,” Filius said. “From my sophomores on down, they all did a great job.”

Chinook also had an impressive performance at the meet as Tate Niederegger won an individual title at 138 pounds. Ken Pruttis also finished third at 170 pounds, while Derek Bell was fourth at 160 pounds, as was Jesse Dannels, who was fourth at 192 pounds. Kevin Young also ended up sixth for the Sugarbeeters at 205 pounds.

The Ponies will be back in action this weekend when they will take part in one of the most highly-anticipated meets of the year in the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Clas-

Courtesy Photo Members of the Havre High wrestling team pose for a photo after winning the Cut Bank Invitational team title for the 14th year in a row at the Wille DeGroot Gymnasium in Cut Bank. Logan Pleninger, Parker Filius and Travis Adams all won individual titles for the top-ranked Blue Ponies. sic in Missoula. The tournament will take place Friday and Saturday.

“I think that right now we are hitting on all cylinders,” Filius said. “We have some finals and things coming up for school, so we will need to ease off a little bit, but we feel good about where we are at and we are excited for next weekend.”

Cut Bank Invitational Team scores – 1. Havre 235.5, 2. Flathead 198.5, 3. Eureka. 196, 4. Choteau 147.5, 5. Glasgow 145, 6. Fairfield-Simms 114, 7. Chinook 114, 8. Fergus 98.5, 9.

Cut Bank 91, 10. Whitefish 88

Championship matches 103: Chase DeBoo, Choteau d. Hunter Rush, Flathead, 1-0; 113: Matt Reyling, Glasgow p. Cody DeVall, Flathead, 5:11; 120: Trae Vasquez, Flathead md. Martin Wilkie, Havre, 15-1; 126: Trevor Moore, Choteau d. Trey Simanton, Malta, 13-6; 132: Logan Pleninger, Havre d. Cole Giles, FairfieldSimms, 5-2; 138: Tate Neideregger, Chinook d. Dawson Peterman, Fairfield-Simms, 5-3; 145: Cody King, Glasgow p. Connor DeBruycker, Ft Benton/Big Sandy, 2:51; 152: Parker Filius, Havre tf. Alex Wickins, Fergus, 5:51; 160: Taner Stone, Choteau d. Dane Flammond, Havre, 6-0; 170: Jace Berkram, Cut Bank d. Garrett Graves, Eureka, 11-5; 182: Steeler French, Choteau d. Jase Stokes, Havre, 3-2; 205: Hunter Mycke, Conrad d. Tyler Schaub, Havre, 7-5; 285: Travis Adams, Havre p. Justin Pfeifer, Cut Bank, 3:47 Third place

103 Gage Hallock, Glasgow p. Trisetan Kemp, Wolf Point, 2:01; 113 Ryan Stewart, Havre d. Bryce Shaffer - FLA, Renegade 1, 4-2; 120 Kahdan Bakkila, Eureka,

by Dflt over Caleb Birdwell, Fergus; 126 Jonathan Schmidt, Eureka d. Kasey Seyfert, Glasgow, 13-7; 132 Kenyon Fretwell, Flathead d. Chase Farrar, Fergus, 6-4; 138 James Dunn - LIN, Renegade 1 d.

Mick Reyling, Glasgow, 4-2; 145 Cannon Smith, Eureka, by inj. dflt. over Brooks Krause, Whitefish; 152 JR Seewald, Cut Bank p. Jarrett Pecora, Eureka, 2:07; 160 Ben Rauscher, Conrad d. Derek Bell, Chinook, 4-3; 170 Ken Pruttis, Chinook p. Konrad Zinke, Whitefish, 1:10; 182 Logan Wilson, Flathead p. Jesse Dannels, Chinook, 2:35; 205 Antonio Lopez, Malta p. Payton Boyce, Flathead, 5:21; 285 Denver Krone, Choteau d. Kaelan Yanak, Eureka, 3-1 Fifth place 103 – Andrew Paradise, CMR JV Dflt Matt Connelly, Valier; 113 – Pete Henderson,

Choteau M-Dec Shane Willekes - CHO, Renegade, 8-0; 120 – Quinn Whitmus, Wolf Point p. Tanner VandenBos, Valier, 1:44; 126 – Isaac Ramos, Valier md. Dillon Thorsteinson, Whitefish, 14-0; 132 – Colton Hillyard - FFS, Renegade 5 md.

Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, 14-3; 138 – Josh Schmidt, Eureka, p. James Buckley, Whitefish, 2:44; 145 – Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI p. Jazz Schroeder, Havre, 4:48; 152 – Jacob Anderson, Fairfield-Simms by fft. over Alex Hallock, Glasgow; 160 – Tucker Nadeau, Flathead md. Chad Landers, Fergus, 11-1; 170 – Matt Gash-Gilder, Flathead p. Anthony Wright - FLA, CJI, :39; 182 – James Slaughter, Fairfield-Simms d.

Austyn Sherwood, Eureka, 8-2; 205 – Joe Fehr, Eureka, p. Kevin Young, Chinook, 2:10; 285 – Steven Quimby, Whitefish p. Jared Sienkowski - HAV, Renegade 4, 1:36.

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BEASTS OF THE EAST HAVRE'S 2016 EASTERN A INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

Ponies romp to yet another divisional title New division, same result for Havre High wrestling team Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

Coming into Saturday’s Eastern A Divisional, the Havre High wrestling team had won 13 straight divisional championships. But those titles were Central A titles.

This was the first year the East and the Central combined for one, 11-team tournament.

The name and the competition may have been different, but the result was the same. Havre dominated the competition and won its 14th straight divisional crown with 273.5 points. The Blue Ponies, who hosted the meet at the Havre High gymnasium, bested Sidney, which finished second with 216 points and Laurel, which was third with 202.

“I liked it, it was different, but it was fun,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of the new divisional format.

“I thought that having more teams and more kids made it more competitive and more of a challenge.”

In order to advance to the state tournament, individuals had to finish eighth or better in their weight class and in that respect, 13 of Havre’s 16 wrestlers were able to make it through and will have the chance to compete in Billings at the All-Class state meet later this week.

Of the 13 wrestlers who placed for the Ponies, seven of them were individual champions: Martin Wilkie (126), Logan Pleninger (132), Kody Pribyl (138), Parker Filius

(152), Dane Flammond (160), Jase Stokes (182) and Travis Adams (HWT) all took home individual titles for Havre, while Tyler Schaub finished second at 205 pounds and Ryan Stewart was fourth at 113 pounds.

The other wrestlers who placed for Havre were Lane Paulson and Jared Laux, who finished sixth at 126 and 152 pounds, respectively, JayR Caplette, who was seventh at 205 pounds, and Jazz Schroeder, who was eighth at 145 pounds.

“I was pleased with how the kids wrestled,” Filius said. “Some of the kids thought that they tried to do too much and sometimes that happens in big matches.

But it was a good experience for us.”

Havre dominated the final round, winning more than half of the weight classes.

The Ponies also provided some of the most exciting matches of the round.

First, at 120 pounds, Wilkie, a freshman, continued what has been an impressive season with a last second 5-2 victory over Caleb Birdwell of Lewistown. The match was tied in the closing seconds when Wilkie scored a three-point near fall with time expiring to earn the victory.

Then, in the 132-pound final, Havre senior Pleninger won his last home match in impressive fashion, earning a pin over Laurel’s Clayton Carter in 4:41. The match was close throughout, until Pleninger locked Carter into a classic cradle with no escape.

“It was awesome to have my last match at home be a win,” Pleninger said. “And that will probably be the state championship match next week, so it was good to get a little preview.”

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High's Jase Stokes, right, lifts a Hardin rival during the 182-pound semifinals of the Eastern A Divisional wrestling tournament at the HHS gymnasium. Stokes was one of seven individual champions for the Blue Ponies, who captured their 14th straight divisional title under head coach Scott Filius.

Up next, at 138 pounds, Pribyl finished off an impressive weekend with a 1:57 pin of Pat Comstock of Billings Central. Pribyl too employed a staple in Havre High’s wrestling arsenal to finish off a tough opponent.

“Right after I took him down, I didn’t wait,” Pribyl said. “I transitioned perfectly to a cross-face cradle, and I just didn’t waste any time.

“It feels really good winning it,” Pribyl added about the new Eastern A format. “It

was different with more kids here, it was more competition and a little bit tougher, but I think it sets kids up good at state.”

Parker Filius won his third divisional title with a 14-3 major decision over Alex Wickens of Lewistown, and Stokes did the same with a 4-1 decision in a highlycompetitive matchup with Hardin’s Connor Murdoch.

Tyler Schaub lost a hardfought bout with Sidney’s Hunter Severson at 205

pounds, but the Ponies closed out the day in style as Adams pinned Bruce Blumenschein in 3:34 in the last match of the tournament.

“We had some kids that came back after being on bottom going in the third period,” Filius said. “And that’s hard to do. That is something that we have been working on late in the season and today we did a good job of scoring when we were in that position. So it was good to see that pay off.”

Havre, the three-time defending state Class A champions, will be heavily favored to win a fourth straight this weekend in Billings, and coming out of divisionals, Filius said he feels good about the direction his team is headed.

“I like where we are at right now,” Filius said. “The kids are wrestling hard and they are competing hard. I think we are in good shape.”

The All-Class state meet will take place Friday and Saturday in Billings.

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Hi-Line Athlete Profile

All in the family for HHS's Schaub Chris Peterson

February 2016

Chris Peterson

The Havre High wrestling team has always enjoyed itself at the Cut Bank Invitational, but after winning 13 consecutive team titles at the event, it would be hard not to.

This weekend, the Blue Ponies will make their annual trip to Cut Bank, where they will look to win a 14th straight title in a tournament that includes teams from all four classifications. Things will get underway Friday and conclude Saturday.

“I think that it says that we wrestle well coming out of the break,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said of his program’s run in Cut Bank.

“There have been some great tournaments down there, sometimes we have

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High sophomore Tyler Schaub, right, has had an outstanding season for the Blue Ponies. But his quest is nowhere near over, as he guns for an individual state championship in Billings.

Jase Stokes, a junior on the Havre wrestling team and a two-time state champ in his own right.

While it may be difficult for Schaub to supercede Stokes’ achievements on the mat, like he is hoping to do with Casey’s, one area where he may give Stokes a run for his money is as a prankster.

“Yeah, we play pranks on each other all the time at home,” Schaub said. “But he’s helped me get better.

He used to be way better (at wrestling) than me, but now

we are pretty much equal.

He has taught me a lot.”

Stokes also weighed in on the home life of his and Schaub’s and when asked if the two at all resembled Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in the movie “Step Brothers,” Stokes responded: “Oh yeah. We have bunk beds and stuff, and we wrestle around the house all the time.”

One thing that Stokes and Schaub have in common is that both have a chance to win an individual state title, while at the same time help-

ing the Ponies capture their fourth consecutive team championship this weekend in Billings.

That quest begins Friday at the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings, but, before the Ponies hit the road to defend their title, the Havre Daily News caught up with Schaub for five questions.

HDN: What is your mindset going to state this year?

Schaub: “I am going there to win it.”

HDN: What do you think will the biggest key for you to do that?

Schaub: “I just have to keep working the whole match at a high pace.”

HDN: Which sport is your favorite, football or wrestling and why?

Schaub: “Wrestling. I like that you can’t blame anyone else but yourself when you lose and when you win, you know you are better than the other guy.”

HDN: So how does it feel to get a pin?

Schaub: “It lets you know that you are way better than that guy.”

HDN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about state wrestling?

Schaub: “Just all of the people. It’s great how everyone comes down to support us and cheer us on.”

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Pony matmen look for more in Cut Bank Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews. com

Havre Daily News

It’s no secret that wrestling is a tradition in Havre.

There is a long history of great individual wrestlers and great wrestling families and one person that has a chance to fit into both categories is Tyler Schaub.

Schaub, who is currently a sophomore at Havre High, has already proven to be a standout on the mat for the Blue Ponies. Last year, as a freshman, Schaub won an individual title at the Central A Divisional and finished fourth in the Class A state tournament.

So in terms of being a great wrestler and being part of a great wrestling family, Schaub is well on his way and one reason for that is his older brother Casey Schaub, who starred in football and wrestling for HHS. The older Schaub was a four-time medalist at state for the Ponies back in his day and in 2012, he captured an individual state title in the old 189-pound weight class. Tyler also looks to become a four-time medalist just like his older brother, but if he has it his way, he will get his individual title much sooner, as in this weekend at the All-Class State wrestling meet in Billings.

“I want to get at least two state titles,” the younger Schaub said. “That way I can show him up.”

And with the way that he has wrestled so far this season, posting a record of 39-8 and finishing second in the Eastern A Divisional, it wouldn’t be shocking if he did bring home an individual title this season or multiple titles down the road.

Yet, even if Schaub did that, the two-sport standout, who also excels at defensive end for the football team, still might not have the best wrestling resume in his own home.

That’s because in addition to having Casey Schaub, a former state champion as a brother, Tyler Schaub is also a step-brother to

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had some easy ones and sometimes it’s been a barn burner.”

Coming into the tournament, Havre will be heavily favored competing against teams such as Kalispell (Flathead), Lewistown, Cut Bank, Choteau and Chinook, the Class C state champs.

And one reason why is that it’s been another dominant season thus far for the defending state Class A state champions.

HHS has won all but one tournament it’s entered this season and has just one loss in dual competition.

“I think it will be a lot like last year,” Filius said. “Flathead probably has the most complete team. Glasgow is getting more competitive and Choteau is always tough. Then you will have Lewistown and Cascade and Chinook, who will probably be as tough as any of the oth-

ers.”

Individually, the Ponies don’t have any wrestlers with spotless records at this point, but Havre does boast a few individuals with only a handful of losses to their credit such as Parker Filius, Jase Stokes, Travis Adams, Logan Pleninger, Tyler Schaub and Ryan Stewart.

Dane Flammond, Martin Wilkie, Jazz Schroeder and Walter White have also won their share of matches.

Despite having a few open weights on their varsity roster, the Ponies should have plenty of confidence going back to Cut Bank, especially with the way the team wrestled in the invite last year.

Havre crowned five individual champions in the 2015 version and had five others who placed as HHS finished with 238 points to capture

n See Cutbank Page 26

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Blue Ponies win two on Bozeman mats Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre High wrestling team got back to business this past weekend in Bozeman, dualing three teams in its first action since the holiday break.

The Blue Ponies, who were in Bozeman for a triangular, wrestled well and won two of three duals that they competed in, notching wins over both Belgrade and Butte High by the scores of 42-28 and 44-18, respectively, while being defeated by Class AA’s No. 2 team, Bozeman, 36-32.

The dual loss at the hands of the Hawks was Havre's first dual defeat all season.

But one thing that worked against the Ponies was that they had wrestlers at just 10 of the 13 weight classes, while Bozeman sported a full lineup.

“I thought that we did well,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “It was good to get back on the mat after being off for a couple of weeks.

Bozeman got the better of us, we had too many kids on their back (getting pinned) so that kind of cost us and we were giving up three weights.

The kids are used to that and we usually stress that and overcome it, but that’s kind of why of you go do them (duals).”

After starting a day with the loss, Havre turned its attention to Butte High, another traditionally strong program in the Class AA ranks.

But this time, the Ponies came away with the 14-point victory thanks to victories by Ryan Stewart (103 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (138 pounds), Parker Filius (152 pounds), Dane Flam-

mond (160 pounds), J a s e Stokes (182 pounds), T y l e r Schaub ( 2 0 5 pounds) and Travis Adams (heavyAdams weight).

The last three all earned pins for the Ponies.

A ft er Havre defeated the Bulldogs, the Ponies met Schaub up with Belgrade, its conference rival, in the final dual of the day. And while the dual between the two teams may not have been that excitStokes ing, it did provide everyone in attendance with one memorable match.

For the second time this season, Belgrade's Jarrett Degen, a three-time defending state champion at 138 pounds, moved up in weight to wrestle Parker Filius. And for the second time this season, the two waged a classic match, with Degen narrowly getting the better of Filius by the score of 3-1.

The match was so highly anticipated that no other

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State Wrestling 2016

THE DRIVE FOR A 4-PEAT

Blue Ponies are locked and loaded for more Class A wrestling dominance Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews. com

Belgrade News Havre High's Parker Filius, right, locks up with Belgrade's Jarrett Degen during their highly anticipated rematch Saturday at the Bozeman High Duals in Bozeman. The Blue Ponies went 2-1, defeating both the Panthers and the Butte High Bulldogs in their return from the Christmas Break. matches took place while it was being held, giving everybody there a chance to watch. And after two periods, it looked like Filius might get the win as he earned an escape point to take a 1-0 edge into the final period. Yet, in the third, Degen tied the match with an escape point of his own and then finished

off the win with a two-point takedown with 1:31 remaining.

“It was a good match,” coach Filius said. “It was good for those guys to get another chance to compete.”

Yet, Parker Filius still had a good weekend posting a 2-1 record overall. Havre also had a number of wrestlers

that went through the triangular undefeated. Adams, Schaub and Stokes all went 3-0, while Pleninger, Flammond, Stewart and Wilkie all won two of three. Walter White and Jazz Schroeder also finished with one win apiece.

“You could tell that we had been off the mat for a

while,” coach Filius said.

“But, it will be nice to have those matches under our belt to start the second half of the season. And nobody got blanked, so it was good.”

Havre will be back in action this Friday and Saturday, when they will be in Cut Bank for the Cut Bank Invitational.

Cut Bank: "It's great for those younger kids to get some matches" ■ From Page 25 the team title.

Three of Havre’s individual champions from a season ago we will be back as Filius, Adams and Stokes are in the lineup again for Havre with Filius wrestling at 152 pounds, while Stokes will be at 182 and Adams will be a heavyweight.

Pleninger, who will wrestle at 132 pounds for Havre, took third at the meet last year. Schaub, who seems to get better every week, was fourth

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and will wrestle in the 205-pound weight class and Stewart, who was fifth a year ago, will be in his customary spot at 113 pounds.

The other individuals who will take part in the meet for the Ponies includes Wilkie, an impressive freshman, who will wrestle at 120 pounds, as well as Schroeder, who will man the spot at 145 pounds, Flammond, who will wrestle at 160 pounds and White, who will be at

170 pounds for HHS. And thanks to a rule that allows teams to have more than one wrestler in a weight class, coach Filius said nearly his entire team will be in attendance and that includes Lane Paulson at 120 pounds, Kolin Nystrom at 145 pounds, Taylor Gopher at 160 pounds, Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds and Jared Sienkowski as a heavyweight.

“It’s great for those younger kids

to get some matches,” Filius said.

“We got some young kids that are doing really well that aren’t in the regular lineup all the time but are getting better every day.”

The Cut Bank Invitational, which runs Friday and Saturday, is the start of the stretch run for the Ponies who, after this weekend, will have just three weeks left in the regular season leading up to the Eastern A Divisional that will take

place in Havre Feb. 6 and the AllClass State wrestling tournament in Billings Feb. 12-13.

“Right now the team is really just coming together,” Filius said.

“We are just trying to continue to get better. We want to try and peak for next week (Jug Beck) and then try to peak again at the end of the season.”

For the Havre High wrestling team, there really is only one meet that matters, one meet that defines its season — the Class A state tournament. And after waiting all season long for it, the Blue Ponies are dying to get the tournament started.

Havre will enter the tournament at the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings as the three-time defending Class A champs, shooting for a fourth-straight title, which would tie a school record.

After a historic 2015 tournament, in which the Ponies set the Class A record for points (297.5) and a school record for individual state champs (5), another historic weekend could be on tap.

HHS will hit the mats with the rest of its competitors at 10 a.m. Friday for the parade of athletes and from there, the matches will go on for two days until 13 individuals and one team is crowned state champions.

“We have been after it all year,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “So yeah, we are ready. We are prepared.”

Yet, as excited as the Ponies are to go to Billings and compete in the prestigious All-Class state meet, they will do so with heavy hearts. That is due to the recent death of Chinook wrestler Jesse Dannels, who was well-known and well-liked by the Hi-Line wrestling community.

“I don’t think it has affected our preparation,” Filius said. “We are prepared, but the wrestling family is a tight group and it’s just tough when you know someone is hurting.”

While Havre and the rest of the participants will be wrestling with Dannels in their hearts, when the action does get underway, Filius and the Ponies expect to dominate. In terms of challengers, if there are any serious ones, Havre doesn’t fear them.

“I think that if we show

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius, right, has already won two individual state championships and two Class A team titles in his career. And he and the Blue Ponies are heavily favored to win a lot more at the 2016 Class A state tournament. up,” Filius said. “Everything will take care of itself.”

Yet, in addition to having the chance to make some history as a team, two Havre wrestlers, juniors Parker Filius and Jase Stokes will be looking to get even closer to making history of their own.

Filius and Stokes, who have already won two individual state titles each, will both be going for their third consecutive title this weekend. And if successful, both wrestlers would be just one title away from becoming four-time state champions, which is something that has never been done in the history of Havre wrestling and has only been done 28 times statewide.

“It will be a lot of fun,”

coach Filius said. “I have been dragging those two around for years. They have been a pleasure to work with.

They are very coachable, they work hard and they compete well. If they have a chink in their armour, we haven’t found it yet.”

Parker Filius will be looking to win his title in the 152-pound weight class, while Stokes will do so at 182 pounds.

“We talk about it a lot,” Stokes said. “Havre has never had one before and I think it would cool if we could get two in the same year (2017). It’s definitely a lot of motivation to get that third one, so you can at least have the chance to get the fourth.”

However, Havre has anoth-

er returning champion in senior Travis Adams, who will be looking to win the heavyweight class for the second consecutive year. And he is not the only other title contender for the Ponies as Ryan Stewart (113 pounds), Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Dane Flammond (160 pounds) and Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) all have legitimate chances to make a run at an individual crown.

“We are taking 13 kids down there,” Filius said. “And I think we have nine that have a really good chance to be wrestling on Saturday night.

Now, how late they will be wrestling on Saturday night will be determined. But, I do

think that all 13 of our kids are capable of wrestling on Saturday.”

In addition to those nine wrestlers, eight of whom placed at state a year ago with Wilkie being the lone exception as a freshman this season, Havre also has Jazz Schroeder back at 145 pounds. Schroeder, a sophomore won a match at state last season and is the 10th Havre wrestler with previous state experience.

The other three wrestlers competing, Lane Paulson (126 pounds), Jared Laux (152 pounds) and JayR Caplette (205 pounds) are all state first-timers.

Even though there may not be many teams that can contend with the depth of

the Ponies, there are a few, such as Columbia Falls, the Western A champion, Polson, the Western A runner up and Sidney, the Eastern A runner up, that have some horses.

Yet, in the end, if the meet is anything less than a Havre romp, it will be a surprise.

And with the team competition expected to be less than riveting, one of the more significant storylines of the weekend for Havre will be whether seniors Pleninger and Pribyl, each three-time placers at state, can cap their careers with individual titles.

“It’s extremely important,” Pleninger said. “That is one of the goals that I have not completed in my career and that’s what I’m shooting for this year, it to complete that.”

“It would mean a lot,” Filius said of Pleninger and Pribyl winning individual titles. “We have taken those kids all over the country and you invest so much in them that you want to see them do that. But yeah, those are two kids that I care very much about how they leave the sport.”

Whoever wins and whatever happens, there is no doubt that the Ponies have waited long enough for the state tournament to arrive and that they are ready to get back on the mats at the Metra.

“This group of kids has been fun,” Filius said. “They have worked really hard and now it’s time for them to go do what they set out to do, it’s what every team competing has set out to do.”

The first round matches at the All-Class state wrestling meet with commence Friday at 10:10 a.m. The Championship round will close out the tournament on Saturday at approximately 3:15 p.m.

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Havre High has plenty of big guns in Billings Blue Ponies own the Mining City once again George Ferguson

Cody Lucke, Stevensville’s Ben Crews and a host of others, all of whom could walk away with the state title Saturday night.

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews. com Havre Blue Ponies have won three straight Class A state championships, and nine in the last 12 years. To say they’ve been dominant the last decade would be a gross understatement.

And, to say the Ponies are the prohibitive favorite this weekend at the 2016 Class A state tourney, which gets underway Friday morning in Billings, wouldn’t do justice to what the Ponies really are.

In reality, barring a natural disaster, the Ponies probably can’t be beat this year in Billings.

Yes, there are some good individuals and strong teams in Class A, just like every year, but no one, not Sidney, Columbia Falls, Laurel or Polson, has the top-end stars the Ponies do, and the depth to back them up. In other words, Havre is just too complete for the rest of this weekend’s field.

And with that in mind, here’s a complete breakdown of every Havre High wrestlers bracket at this weekend’s state tourney, which runs through Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

182 – Jase Stokes (40-3)

The

103 – Open The Blue Ponies didn’t have a 103-pounder this season, but, it hasn’t mattered much to Havre thus far. As for the bracket in Billings, as always, the division is wide-open and full of freshman. Polson has a pair of contenders in RJ Pierre and Mateo Quinones, while Eastern A champ Christian Dean of Sidney is another on to watch.

Stokes is Havre’s second wrestler on a mission to keep alive his chances of being a four-time state champion. He captured the 170-pound title a year ago, and going into this weekend, he hasn’t lost a match to a Class A opponent. Stokes beat Hardin’s Connor Murdock in last week’s Eastern A championship, and a rematch in the state title bout is expected. But, Stevi’s Mason Griffin and Frenchtown’s Cole Jones will also be factors in the draw.

Stokes opens the state tourney with Polson’s Nolan Humphrey.

205 – Tyler Schaub (37-7)

Havre Daily News/File Photo Havre High senior Logan Pleninger came up just short in his quest for the 132-pound Class A state championship with a 2nd place finish. Pleninger was one of the seven Blue Ponies who are ranked No. 1 in their weight class heading into the All-Class state tournament at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. have a few returning state placers, including Lewistown rival Caleb Birdwell, but for the most part, Wilkie has beaten everybody in the bracket this season.

Still, the road to a championship is never easy, and the likes of Sidney’s Wyatt Van Buren and Frenchtown’s Owen Ireland will certainly try to keep the outstanding Wilkie from winning his first state title. Wilkie opens the tournament with Whitefish’ Sidney Cooke.

113 – Ryan Stewart (3013)

126 – Lane Paulson (11-10)

A top-ranked wrestler for much of the season, Stewart fell to fourth at last weekend’s Eastern A. Still, Stewart, who finished third at 103 a year ago, will certainly be a factor this week. His main completion will come from both of his Glendive rivals in Ben Stortz, a defending state champ, and Travis Kinn, who finished third at 113 a year ago. Columbia Falls’ Winfield West is another top contender in the bracket. Stewart opens the tournament against Whitefish’ Taisuke Matsuo, and would face Kinn in the quarterfinals.

The Blue Ponies were open much of the season at 126 pounds, but sophomore Lane Paulson moved up and filled that spot late in the season. And now, after a strong showing at the Eastern A, Paulson is in the state tournament. This week, however, Paulson is in a loaded draw, including Sawyer Degan of Belgrade, who is the star of the weight class. Three-time state placer Koltin Starkel of Dillon, as well as Sidney’s Jace Winter will also have a say in how things shake out. Paulson opens his first state tourney with Ben Windauer of Columbia Falls.

120 – Martin Wilkie (40-7) Wilkie has burst onto the scene as a freshman. Ranked No. 1 for much of the season, and now a divisional champ, Wilkie is probably the favorite in his weight class this week. The draw does

132 – Logan Pleninger (45-6) Pleninger has had a spectacular senior season, and after finishing third at 126 last year, he comes to Billings on a mis-

sion to capture a state championship in his final try. A three-time state placer already, Pleninger has been dominant throughout the year, but his road to a title won’t be easy. He and Laurel’s Clayton Carter waged a great battle at last weekend’s Eastern A and a rematch in the state final is expected. But, they both must also watch out for returning state placer Brady Gorder of Sidney, as well as Polson’s Cameron Brown, who comes into the tournament undefeated.

Pleninger squares off against Whitefish’ Rob Bertelsen in the first round.

As a freshman, Schroeder impressed at the state tourney, but in his return as a sophomore, he’s in a bracket that includes the unbeatable Jarrett Degan of Belgrade, who’s gunning for a fourth straight state championship. The bracket also includes returning state placers Mason Fetters of Columbia Falls and Cody Warner of Frenchtown so the road to the podium will be a tough one for Schroeder, who opens the tournament with Fetters.

ment after a good showing at last week’s Eastern A. And his goal to get on the podium is a very realistic one.

He’s in Filius’ bracket, and he’ll have to watch out for Wickens, Koffman and Blanchard, but Laux certainly has the opportunity to be one of the surprises for the Blue Ponies this weekend. He opens the tournament against Corvallis’ Kye McCollaum.

152 – Parker Filius (43-4)

138 – Kody Pribyl (22-12)

Going for his third straight state championship, the incomparable Filius has lost just two matches in his own weight class all season long. And don’t expect anyone to really challenge him this weekend. Though a wrestler can’t take any opponent lightly at the state tourney, Filius is the clear favorite, as there are no returning state placers in his bracket.

His biggest challenges will likely come from Eastern A opponents Alex Wickens of Lewistown and Bridger Coffman of Sidney, as well as Frenchtown’s Jon Blanchard, but overall, there’s not much that can stop Filius this week. He opens the state tourney with Frenchtown’s Hunter Allen.

Last year in Billings, Flammond burst onto the scene with a third place finish at 138 pounds. Now up to 160, he comes to Billings as the top-ranked wrestler in his bracket, and an Eastern A champion. The junior’s goal is a state championship in a bracket that features no other returning state placers. Flammond’s main competition will come from Dillon’s Patrick Griffin, as well as Eastern A rivals Tyler Klapp of Glendive and Chad Lander of Lewistown, but the bracket is certainly Flammond’s for the taking. Flammond begins his quest against Malik Heydon of Whitefish.

Priybl is another HHS senior out to grab his first state championship. He’s also a three-time state placer, including a fourth-place finish up at 152 a year ago. Dropping down this year, Pribyl has been outstanding for much of the season, and he was at last weekend’s Eastern A. Returning state placers Caleb Gravelin of Columbia Falls and Brent Tezak of Dillon are also in the mix, as is Billings Central’s Pat Comstock. But, this is another weight class where Havre has high expectations. Pribyl starts his march toward a state title with Hamilton’s James Bess.

145 – Jazz Schroeder (2124)

152 – Jared Laux (13-8) Laux is returning to the state tourna-

160 – Dane Flammond (32-9)

170 – Open The Blue Ponies didn’t get a 170-pounder through to state, marking the second weight class they’ll be open this week.

And that’s good news for the likes of Lewistown’s Wyatt Blythe, Browning’s

Schaub, a returning state placer from a year ago, has had a brilliant sophomore season. Ranked No. 1 for much of the year, Schaub lost a heartbreaker to Sidney’s Hunter Severson in last week’s Eastern A final. And those two are expected to be the top two contender for the 205-pound crown this week in Billings. However, the Western A has contenders as well, including Hamilton’s Justin Hinson, who’s lost just once this season, as well as returning state placer Mike Corrigan of Polson. Schaub will have to go through Hinson to get to the state final, and while his draw is one of the tougher ones in the tournament, he’s certainly ready to win a state championship in Billings. Schaub opens the tournament with Dillon’s Matt Stafford.

205 – JayR Caplette (3-4) Caplette didn’t see much varsity action this season, but he made the most out of his opportunity at the Eastern A. He’s in a loaded draw, with Schaub, Severson and Hinson, and he has to battle Corrigan in the first round. But, Caplette is another Blue Pony who, in the end, could make a surprise run to the podium this weekend.

HWT – Travis Adams (38-3) Adams, who’s been nearly unstoppable this season, is a heavy favorite to repeat as a state champion, after dominating the weight class a year ago. He hasn’t lost to a Class A opponent since his sophomore season, and Belgrade rival Bryce Blumenschien, who Adams beat for the state championship last year, and again at the Eastern A last weekend, is considered the second-best heavyweight in the draw. So, there’s no doubt Adams is a very clear favorite again this week, but Whitefish’ Steven Quimby and Corvallis’ Garrett Hunt could also make some noise. Adams has a bye in the first round and will face either Polson’s Nick Marquardt or Hardin’s Grant Scalpcane in the quarterfinals.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Mining City Duals are always highly competitive, especially with every Class AA wrestling team in attendance.

But once again, the Havre Blue Ponies made it look easy as they won their third consecutive championship in Butte.

During the two-day tournament in Butte, Havre posted a perfect 7-0 record and won all six of its matchups with Class AA schools. HHS locked up the title, its sixth overall in the event, by knocking off Billings Skyview in the

championship round 49-21 Saturday.

“The kids wrestled great,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “It was a lot of fun.

You find out a lot about each other when you travel together and I think that we have a great group of kids. We brought our junior varsity kids with us and they all got matches, and this group is fun to be around, these kids carry themselves very well.”

After easily dispatching of their group opponents Friday, defeating Missoula Hellgate 53-15, Belgrade 51-18 and Helena Captial 43-28, the Ponies turned their attention to the single-round elimination

tournament, which started Saturday.

HHS opened the day with a win over Kalispell, 42-27 and then dispatched of Billings Senior 40-24 in the quarterfinals. The Ponies then cruised to a 29-point win over Missoula Sentinel, the team favored in Class AA this season, winning 43-14, before defeating Billings Skyview by 28 points to clinch the third consecutive Mining City triumph. With the 7-0 weekend, the Ponies have won 21 straight duals at the tournament.

Havre got a number of standout individual performances but some of the best

came from Travis Adams (heavyweight), Tyler Schaub (205 pounds) and Jase Stokes (185), who all posted perfect 7-0 marks over the two days.

Parker Filius also had a solid weekend, posting a 6-1 record. Filius, a two-time state champion, is rarely defeated, but lost at the hands of Jarrett Deegan in the 152-pound weight class Friday when Havre defeated Belgrade. Deegan, who is committed to wrestle at Virginia Tech, defeated Filius 3-2 in a hard-fought battle between a pair of elite talents.

“It was great for both of those guys,” Scott Filius

said. “A lot of times they will go through a whole weekend without really being challenged, so it was beneficial for both of them.”

Dane Flammond (160), Logan Pleniger (132) and Martin Wilkie (120/126) also finished with 6-1 records for the Ponies. Ryan Stewart (120 pounds) and Kody Pribyl (138) each lost twice, while Jazz Schroeder (145), Kollin Nystrom(145) and Walter White (170) all contributed to the winning effort with at least one victory over the course of the tournament.

“We were open at 103 and 113,” Filius said. “We moved our little guys up and those

guys really did a great job.

They really wrestled well for us and all of our kids put out great effort.”

After taking on some of the top competition the state of Montana had to offer this past weekend, the Ponies will turn their attention to an even bigger meet as they will take part in the Tri-State Wrestling tournament for the second straight year in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

“We are going to see some of the best kids from Oregon, Washington and Idaho,” Filius said. “So it’s the best possible tournament that we can wrestle at.”

Pony wrestlers star on the big stage Havre places seven at the prestigious Tri-State tournament in Idaho Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team has never been afraid of a challenge. And this past weekend, the Blue Ponies got one.

The Blue Ponies, who traveled to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to take part in the prestigious Tri-State wrestling tournament, more than held their own at the meet, placing seven wrestlers within the top seven in their weight class in the two-day meet that features top wrestlers from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana.

In the team competition, the Ponies put together a very respectable sixth-place showing, especially when considering that they were open at five weight classes. Post Falls, Idaho, came away with its second consecutive championship at the meet with 212.5 points. Hermiston was second with 188 points, Lake Stevens had 162 to finish third, Central Valley was fourth with 160 points, Orting was fifth with 155 points and HHS was sixth with 150.5 points.

"I was really pleased with the kids," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "We had a great weekend. We had 10 kids that went over there with us and all of them got great experience. They all got beat in at least one match and so, yeah, I was really pleased with kids. We left a

few points on the table and had a couple of matches that we wish we could have back, but the first two teams, we just don't have enough depth to compete with them, but we can compete with the other teams.

The kids did well and it was a fun weekend."

Last year, the Ponies brought just a handful of wrestlers to the meet but still acquitted themselves well.

Havre did something it was unable to do a year ago and that is get a wrestler into the finals, which Parker Filius achieved at 152 pounds.

Filius, who finished fourth at the meet a year ago, finished second after a narrow defeat at the hands of Dante Springsteen of Bethel, who defeated the two-time state champion by way of a 3-2 decision.

The Ponies started the tournament with an impressive day Friday, as eight of Havre's 10 wrestlers found their way into the quarterfinals and four into the semifinals in Parker Filius, Tyler Schaub, Martin Wilkie and Ryan Stewart.

"I was really impressed with some of the younger kids," coach Filius said. "Ryan Stewart, Wilkie and Schaub they all did a really great job."

In the end, only Filius made the final, but Havre had three finish in the top four, and five finish in the top five. After Filius, the next best finisher was Jase Stokes, who was fourth at 182 pounds after a 3-2 defeat the consolation final by Bob Coleman of Hermiston. Schaub also finished fourth after losing a 7-0 decision to John Henry-Line of Hermiston.

Stewart, who wrestled at 106 pounds for Havre, finished fifth after a win by injury default. Wilkie also finished fifth in the 120-pound class thanks to a 8-1 decision over

Steven Kindya. Logan Pleninger, who wrestled at 132 pounds, finished seventh for the Ponies as did Travis Adams in the heavyweight division.

Kody Pribyl, who wrestled at 138 pounds. Dane Flammond, who wrestled at 160 and Walter White, who manned the 170 spot, all registered multiple wins for Havre, despite not placing.

"It's huge for us," Filius said.

"You have college coaches there, Oregon State was there, there were junior college scouts there talking to some of the parents and some of the kids. You see kids all the way from Seattle and down it Oregon, so it was really a neat environment.

It's an eye-opener for our kids."

The Ponies will be off for the holiday break and will return to action for a meet in Bozeman on Jan. 2.

Tri-State

TEAM SCORES — 1, Post Falls 212.5. 2, Hermiston 188. 3, Lake Stevens 162. 4, Central Valley 160. 5, Orting 155. 6, Havre 150.5. 7, Moses Lake 141.5. 8, Colville 138. 9, Sentinel 134.

10, University 118.5. 11, Lakeland 118. 12, Tahoma 111. 13, Mead 107. 14, Bethel 106. 15, Edmonds-Woodway 99.5. 16, Mt. Spokane 96.5.

17, East Valley 91.5. 18, Kuna 91. 19, Coeur d’Alene 86. 20, North Central 77. 21, Kelso 73.

22, Sandpoint 70.5. 23, Lakeside 63. 24, Freeman 62.5. 25, Deer Park 60.5. 26, Kentridge 50.

27, Snohomish 49.5. 28, Polson 49. 29 (tie), Graham-Kapowsin, Shadle Park 46. 31, Tonasket 44. 32, Vashon Island 43. 33, Royal 38. 34, Lewiston 37. 35, Union 36. 36, Reardan 32. 37 (tie), Kellogg, Libby 27. 39, Darrington 26. 40, Lake City 25. 41, Richland 24. 42, Ferris 23. 43, La Grande 21. 44, Kent-Meridian, Potlatch 18.

46, Priest River 17. 47 (tie), Liberty Bell, Mission, Moscow, Quincy 13. 51, Timberlake 11. 52, St. Maries 9.5. 53, Meadowdale 9. 54, Inglemoor 8.

55, Bonners Ferry 7. 56 (tie), Frenchtown, Liberty Spangle 4. 58, Northwest Christian 2. 59 (tie), Chiawana, Juanita, Mary Walker, Omak, Othello, Riverside, Selkirk, Wapato, Washington 0.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES 98 — Ridge Lovett, Post Falls, d. William Edelblute, Lakeland, 7-0. 106 — Ethan Rotondo, Union, p. Jordan Grimm, Post Falls, 3:03. 113 — Alex Cruz, Orting, d. Derek Freitag, Kentridge, 6-4. 120 — Nick Hara, Moses Lake, d. TJ Baun, Colville, 13-9. 126 — Bryson Beard, Central Valley, d. Clai Quintallia, North Central, by injury default. 132 — Dalton Young, Lakeside, d.

Cooper McCullough, Moses Lake, 3-0. 138 — Jake Douglas, Lake Stevens, d. Tyler Wolf, Post Falls, 3-2. 145 — Alius De La Rosa, Post Falls, d. Trysten Perales, Lake Stevens, 5-2. 152 — Dante Springsteen, Bethel, d. Parker Filius, Havre, 3-2. 160 — Mason McDaniel, EdmondsWoodway, d. Malachi Lawrence, Lake Stevens, 4-3. 170 — Trey Meyer, East Valley, d. Michael Soler, Lake Stevens, 3-1. 182 — Casey Randles, Sandpoint, md. Levi Meinzinger, University, 10-2. 195 — Levi Perry, Kuna, md. Sebastian Hyta, Freeman, 13-4. 220 — Samuel Colbray, Hermiston, d. Trevor Eicher, Deer Park, 3-2. 285 — Hunter Mullins, Orting, p. Nick Workman, Richland, 3:05.

Graham-Kapowsin, 1:57. 106 — Ryan Stewart, Havre, d. Mitchell Martinez, EdmondsWoodway, by injury default. 113 — Trent Baun, Colville, d. Everett Pierce, Deer Park, 3-2. 120 — Martin Wilkie, Havre, d. Steven Kindya, North Central, 8-1. 126 — Alec Hoover, Mt. Spokane, d. Braydon Huber, Post Falls, 5-1. 132 — Cam Sorensen, University, d.

Trevor Peterson, Tonasket, 4-0. 138 — Bridger Beard, Central Valley, d. Dylan Lockwood, Coeur d’Alene, 1-0. 145 — Riley Seward, Edmonds-Woodway, d. Bryden Uyehara, Shadle Park, 2-1. 152 — Chandler Paulson, Sentinel, d. Cristian Hunter, Mead, 2-0. 160 — Chance Stack, Sentinel, d. Ryley Smith, Colville, 11-9.

170 — Hudson Mauseth, Moses Lake, d. Vince Rey, Coeur d’Alene, 7-3. 182 — Josey Anderson, Reardan, p. Dylan Morris, Moses Lake, 1:14. 195 — Tele Seemann, Colville, p. Spencer Schultz, Edmonds-Woodway, 3:52. 220 — Tim Jarrad, Lakeside, p. Evan Barger, Orting, 2:30.

285 — Ethan Goss-Dickey, Mission, d. Kenny Marll, Orting, 11-9.

THIRD-FOURTH PLACE 98 — Chase Tebbets, Mead, d. Jacob Bennett, Lake Stevens, 4-0. 106 — Blake Haney, Mt. Spokane, d. Trevor Morrison, Colville, 2-1. 113 — Bryce Miller, Kelso, d. Liam Tarvin, Hermiston, 1-0. 120 — Jake Howerton, Mt. Spokane, d. Bridger Wenzel, Polson, 6-2. 126 — Larry Johnson, Lakeland, d. Nick Whitehead, Tahoma, 5-2. 132 — Jason Burchell, Post Falls, d. Justin Sipilla, Tahoma, 4-1. 138 — Dylan Duffalo, Sentinel, d. Ryden Fu, Tahoma, 5-4. 145 — Breadon Orrino, Central Valley, d. CJ Hendon, Hermiston, 9-3. 152 — Dusty Jones, Kuna, d.

Bryce Hoisington, Vashon Island, by injury default. 160 — Phillip Springsteen, Bethel, d. Zach Stratton, Central Valley, 9-2. 170 — Bryar Newbary, Sentinel, p. Logan Nelson, Vashon Island, 1:40. 182 — Bob Coleman, Hermiston, d. Jase Stokes, Havre, 3-2. 195 — John-Henry Line, Hermiston, d. Tyler Schaub, Havre, 7-0. 220 — Mason McKenzie, Darrington, d. Erik Jacobson, Orting, 6-1. 285 — Avyion Fisher, Bethel, p. Wyatt Gardner, Snohomish, 2:20.

SEVENTH-EIGHTH 98 — Chandler Axtell, Lakeland, p. Markus Johnson, Lake Stevens, 2:44. 106 — Kreede Peterson, Kuna, tf. Tim Westbrook, University, 15-0. 113 — Ryan McGhee, Kelso, d. Mathias De La Rosa, Post Falls, 4-2. 120 — Bryce Gardner, Central Valley, md. Sidat Kanyi, EdmondsWoodway, 13-3. 126 — Andy Wagner, Hermiston, md. Mason Eaglin, Graham-Kapowsin, 9-1. 132 — Logan Pleninger, Havre, d. Lane Holland, Graham-Kapowsin, 6-1. 138 — Logan Sundheim, East Valley, d. Jace Kovalicky, Sentinel, 6-0. 145 — Cole Wallen, Potlatch, d. Ben Gore, Orting, 10-4. 152 — Wyatt Butler, Snohomish, d. Braden Gamble, University, 3-2. 160 — Joel Torres, Moses Lake, d. Isaiah Shores, Kentridge, 5-2. 170 — Brock McDonough, Hermiston, d. Darrin Miller, Royal, by forfeit. 182 — Jared Walker, Lakeland, p. Iche Ramirez, Quincy, 1:18. 195 — Keaton Flannigan, Mead, d. Dagen Kremer, Tahoma, by injury default. 220 — Antonio Brown, Lakeland, d.

John Keiser, Central Valley, by injury default.

285 — Travis Adams, Havre, p. Justin Chase, Lewiston, :52.

FIFTH-SIXTH PLACE 98 — Buddy Doolin, Libby, p. Noah Cortez,

28

2016 CLASS A

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2016

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HHS grapplers look to mine gold in Butte Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The trip to Butte in early December has become a tradition for the Havre High wrestling team. And it’s one that will continue this season the Blue Ponies will compete in the Butte Central Mixer and the Mining City Duals once again.

Havre will start its busy thee-day stretch of wrestling today when they compete in the Butte Central Mixer.

Then, starting Friday, HHS will take part in the Mining City Duals, a two-day meet held in Butte. The Ponies will take on Missoula Hellgate at 10 a.m., Belgrade at 1:30 p.m., and Helena Capital at 5:30 p.m., all of the first to determine seeding for the tournament Saturday.

“Normally at this time of year, we are really focusing on conditioning,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “But actually, I am pretty pleased with our conditioning right now, so we are just looking to get more hard-nosed every time each and every week.”

While the varsity kids are the only ones who will get to compete Friday and Saturday, all of Havre’s wrestlers,

if healthy, will take part in the Butte Central Mixer. The Ponies will compete with teams like Butte Central, Anaconda, Hamilton, Stevensville and others from the area.

“There aren’t any team scores or anything like that,” Filius said. “It’s just a chance to get off the bus and wrestle.

They mix kids up and everybody should get at least two matches.”

Wrestling for Havre in the Butte Central mixer will be Ryan Stewart (113), Lane Paulson (120), Martin Wilkie (120), Logan Pleninger (132), Kody Pribyl (138), Jazz Schroeder (145), Kollin Nystrom (145) Parker Filius (152), Dane Flammomd (160), Taylor Gopher (160), Jared Laux (170), Walter White (170), Austin Ratliff (170), Jase Stokes (182), Tyler Schuab (205), as well as a group of heavyweights that features Travis Adams, Jared Sienkowski, John Berg and Brock Smith.

After taking part in the mixer, Havre will get to take part in the Mining City Duals, which is a meet that coach Filius called one of his favorites.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre's Tyler Schaub, top, holds down a GFH rival during the Havre Invitational wrestling tournament.

“We always get good matches,” Filius said. “The Mining City Duals is always a great tournament and the best part is that you advance

as a team and you go back as a team. So there is a lot of growth that goes on this weekend, it’s probably my favorite tournament in terms

of watching the kids improve.”

The tournament will feature every Class AA school as well as a number of top

schools from Class A. Last season, the Ponies won their second consecutive Mining City championship, edging out Great Falls High for the victory.

If Havre is going to repeat, it will need a solid performance from a lineup that is down two spots as HHS will be open at 103 pounds and 126 pounds. Yet, the Ponies will Havre Stewart at 113, Wilkie at 120, Pleninger at 132, Pribyl at 138, Schroeder at 145, Parker Filius at 152, Flammond at 160, White at 170, Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams at heavyweight.

Depending on how the Ponies do Friday, they will either be in the winner’s bracket or the loser’s bracket Saturday. From there it is a single-elimination tournament until a champion is crowned.

After winning the team title at the Havre Invitational, the Ponies should get a sterner test in Butte. The Butte Central Mixer is today, while the Mining City Duals begin Friday at 10 a.m. and will conclude Saturday.

Ponies get high quality competition Havre High grapplers travel to prestigious Idaho tournament Chris Peterson

Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Havre High wrestling team has been one of the best in Montana for years. And for years, the Blue Ponies have struggled to find teams that can consistently challenge them, which is why, this weekend, they are headed out of state.

For the second straight year and for the first time with their full varsity squad, the Ponies will compete in the ultra-competitive Tri-State Wrestling tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The tournament is a two-day event that begins Friday

and concludes Saturday. It will be held at North Idaho College.

One thing that makes the tournament so appealing to HHS and head coach Scott Filius is the fact that it features wrestlers from Idaho, Washington and Oregon, as well as Montana. So in terms of in-season tournaments, there are few better than this one.

“I don’t think that we could find a better tournament to compete in,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “You get to face the best from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.”

So far this season, the Ponies have dominated the competition.

HHS opened its year with a dominant first-place finish at the Havre Invitational, besting Class AA schools Great Falls and CMR to take home the team title.

Last week, the Ponies took home their third-consecutive team title at the Mining City Duals in Butte and won duals over six Class AA schools in the process and not a single one

of them was closer than 15 points.

That is part of the reason why the Ponies are looking forward to some new competition this week and heading to Coeur d’Alene instead of Great Falls for the annual CMR Holiday Classic. Last season, the Ponies split their team and wrestled varsity guys at both meets. This year that will not be the case.

“It will be fun to have everyone go,” Filius said. “Last year, we had the flexibility to let the kids choose, but this year, we just kind of made it a priority because it was such a good experience.”

The varsity wresters will all compete in Idaho and a number of Havre wrestlers will return for a second straight year. Overall, the Ponies placed four wrestlers at the meet a year ago and finished 15th overall with far less than a full team. The top returners that placed are Parker Filius and Kody Pribyl, who each finished fourth.

Filius (152) and Pribyl (138) are

among those that will be expected to do well this weekend for Havre, but Travis Adams, who competes at the heavyweight spot, Tyler Schuab, who wrestlers at 205 and Jase Stokes, who wrestles at 182 pounds, also have high expectations going in.

The Ponies are still two wrestlers short of a full lineup with no wrestler at 103 or at 126 pounds, but outside of that fact, this Havre lineup is stacked from top to bottom. Ryan Stewart will wrestle at 113 pounds for Havre, while impressive freshman Martin Wilkie will wrestle at 120.

Following the open spot at 126, Logan Pleninger will wrestle at 132 pounds, followed by Pribyl at 138 and Filius at 152. At 160 pounds will be Dane Flammond and in the 170-pound class it will be Walter White, followed by Stokes, Schaub and Adams.

“It’s a deep tournament,” Scott Filius said. “You get a 64-man bracket at each weight and we real-

ly don’t have anything in the state of Montana that replicates it. It’s really going to be a lot of fun. It’s the best high school tournament that we can get to.”

Last year, 67 schools took part in the tournament with Post Falls, Idaho taking home the team title with 220 points. Short-handed Havre was 15th, and even though the Ponies will give up more weights than normal, HHS should push its way closer the top.

“I really have no idea how we will do team-wise,” Filius said. “We are actually giving up five weights because they use the national weights. But, we have some kids that did really well last year. We didn’t have anyone reach the finals, so hopefully we can get there this year.”

The tournament begins Friday and will conclude with the finals Saturday evening. All the matches will be held at North Idaho College.

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2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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State Wrestling 2016

A Pony Kind of Pressure Many others don't, but Havre High seems to thrive on the pressure of the state wrestling tournament Chris Peterson Pressure. It’s something that just about every athlete and every team faces at one time or another. Yet, the Havre High wrestling team seems immune to it or maybe they just know how to deal with it better than their opponents.

But one thing that there is no doubt about is that the Blue Ponies have been the power of Class A wrestling for the past two decades and that doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon.

One reason the Ponies have become such a force in Montana wrestling is their ability to dominate on the big stage. Havre is good everywhere, but the Ponies take their game to another level when they step inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Billings Metra, a place that might as well be their second home, thanks to all the favorable memories there.

“I don’t know what it is,” Havre senior Kody Pribyl said. “Maybe it’s all the people or the noise, but some kids just freeze up when they get out there at state. We have wrestled well at state, our whole team has. We are just used to it and feel good with it.”

The Ponies’ success is all the evidence needed to backup Pribyl’s statement, especially with the current run Havre is on, winning the last three state championships and being considered a heavy favorite to capture a fourth this weekend at the All-Class state meet in Billings.

Yet, Havre head coach

Havre Daily News/File Photo The Havre High wrestling team claimed its 10th state championship under legendary head coach Scott Filius — and its fourth in a row. The Class A state title gave the Blue Ponies the second-most team titles in MHSA history with 13.

Scott Filius said he and his team don’t think about things like that. When asked what it would mean to the team and himself if the Ponies were able to win a fourth-straight title, which would tie a school record, the coach responded: “I guess I never really thought about it. We are just focusing on this year and have never really tried to put it into context. The kids do all they can and all they can win is this year.”

One thing that makes wrestling interesting, and

in particular, the state wrestling tournament interesting, is the fact that there are two definite kinds of pressure: Pressure on the team and pressure on the individual.

There will certainly be pressure on all the Ponies to win matches and titles to help the team win. Yet, some will also face the pressure of wrestling for a state championship, and seniors like Pribyl and Logan Pleninger, will be forced to confront the pressure of trying to win a state title their senior year, when they have each been

denied three times before.

“You have to treat it as just another match,” Pleninger said. “You have to go out there and do your job. You can’t get too excited for it because your worst enemy is yourself.”

Both Pribyl and Pleninger have been through the grind that is state wrestling and when each gets back on the big stage today, neither will be shaken because they have their experience to fall back on.

“That experience really helps,” Pleninger said. “All

you can do is keep learning from all those experiences.”

Talking about experience, few in the Havre lineup have more big-match experience than Parker Filius and Jase Stokes. Both are juniors are both are two-time individual champions with their sights set on a third state title.

The implications are obvious. If both Filius and Stokes can win state titles the next two seasons, they would the first four-time champions in the history of Havre wrestling, which is no small feat.

“I guess it will come down

to who wrestles first to find out who gets it,” Stokes said.

“I still have to wrestle and I will have tough matches, but I know I will do it. But, I still have to go out and wrestle.

“There is some pressure still,” he added. “But not like there has been like my freshman or sophomore year.

Everyone just goes out and scores points and that’s what we have been doing for the last three years.”

Yet, experience doesn’t necessarily mean much when you get out on the mat.

Sure, it might help you keep your head in a tough situation, but as Mike Tyson once said: “Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

The problem for the rest of Class A is that it’s usually Havre that comes out and lands the first blow. But there is a reason for that.

The Ponies don’t just win by accident, they win because of hard work and intense preparation. They win because they seem to handle the pressure better than any other team, and any other wrestlers out there. And they seem to handle the pressure of being expected to win, of being the best, time and time again.

“The state championship is always the goal,” coach Filius said. “That is the goal for every program that puts the time in. We have had a lot of success because we have had great kids, great parents and great administrators. We take these kids all over in the summer to wrestle and we put more pressure on ourselves than anyone.”

That’s why when many succumb to the pressure on the biggest stage in high school sports in Montana — and the Ponies never seem to. And this weekend in Billings, they should be expected to thrive on it once again, because after all, they have been doing it for decades.

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2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Team scores – 1, Havre 213; 2, Polson 147.5; 3, Hardin 114.5; 4, Columbia Falls 113; t-4, Laurel 113; 6, Sidney 109.5; 7, Lewistown 106.5; 8, Belgrade 101; 9, Hamilton 99; 10, Dillon 97; 11, Glendive 90.5; 12, Stevensville 71; 13, Corvallis 57; 14, Frenchtown 53; 15, Billings Central 40.5; 16, Whitefish 34; 17, Browning 31.5; 18, Livingston 27; 19, Miles City 21; 20, Butte Central 5.

Championship 103 – Christian Dean, SID, md. Adam Bankert, LIV, 15-1.; 113 – Travis Kinn, GLE, d. Ben Stortz, GLE, 4-1.; 120 – Martin Wilkie, HAV, p. Caleb Birdwell, LEW, 3:15.; 126 – Sawyer Degen, BEL, d. Kohltin Starkel, DIL, 6-5.; 132 – Clayton Carter, LAU, d. Logan Pleninger, HAV, 3-2 (UTB); 138 – Brent Tezak, DIL, d.

Kody Pribyl, HAV, 9-2.; 145 – Jarrett Degen, BEL, p. Mason Fetters, CF, 1:42.; 152 – Parker Filius, HAV, tf. Alex Wickens, LEW, 3:42 (205).; 160 – Patrick Griffin, DIL, d. Manny Rivera, HAM, 8-4.; 170 – Ben Crews, STV, d. Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 13-6. 182 – Jase Stokes, HAV, d. Connor Murdock, HAR, 7-4.; 205 – Tyler Schaub, HAV, d. Hunter Severson, SID, 6-2.; 285 – Travis Adams, HAV, p. Bryce Blumenschein, 3:04.

Third place 103 – Mateo Quinones, POL, d. Rene Pierre, POL, 3-1.; 113 – Eric LaFontaine, HAR, d.

Michael Golden, HAM, 6-2.; 120 – Bridger

Wenzel, POL, d. Wyatt Vanburen, SID, 10-5.; 126 – Ben Windauer, CF, p. Thunder Morales, POL, 1:38.; 132 – Cameron Brown, POL, d.

Hunter Peterson, CF, 3-0.; 138 – Jaben Wenzel, POL, d. Bryce Roan, HAR, 13-7.; 145 – Brenden Roan, HAR, md. Parker Adler, POL, 11-0.; 152 – Jon Blanchard, FRN, p. Steven Scheffer, HAM, 4:54.; 160 – Dane Flammond, HAV, md.

Chad Landers, LEW, 11-0.; 170 – Cody Lucke, BRN, p. Matt Kale, BIL, 2:32.; 182 – Jon Jares, LAU, p. Mason Griffin, STV, 1:38.; 205 – Justin Hinson, HAM, d. Mike Corrigan, POL, 3-2.; 285 – Brandon Connolly, LAU, p. Luke Channer, COR, 1:44.

Fifth place 103 – Kaleb Ripley, LAU, p. Wyatt Harmer, HAR, 2:21.; 113 – Winfield West, CF, md.

Ryan Stewart, HAV, 12-3.; 120 – Tristan Slye, BEL, d. Bridger Grover, LEW, 8-2.; 126 – Trey Sokoloski, GLE, d. Jace Winter, SID, 4-0.; 132 – Kwin Stoddard, DIL, d. Steven Banks, HAM, 8-2.; 138 – Torrey Watts, MC, p. Cody Warner, FRN, :45.; 145 – Connor Ludwig, LAU, d. Bryce Williams, FRN, 7-3.; 152 – Bridger Coffman, SID, d. Kye McCollaum, COR, 12-9.; 160 – Tyler Clapp, GLE, d. Colten McPhee, CF, 9-2.; 170 – Storm Kemppainen, CF, d. Konrad Zinke, WF, 2:32.; 182 – Jerry Cassidy, STV, def. LaRenzo Roan Bear, HAR, injury.; 205 – Braden Watson, BIL, d. Shawn Cassidy, STV, 9-4.; 285 – Steven Quimby, WF, def. Garret Hunt, COR, injury.

Havre Individual Results

113 – Ryan Stewart (6th Place) 1st rd – pinned Taisuke Matsuo, WF, 1:15; Quarterfinals – pinned by Travis Kinn, GLE, 3:44; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Elliot Vanosdell, STV, 2:59; Consolation 3rd rd – dec. Jacob Morgan BC, 5-2; Consolation Semis – lost dec.

Michael Golden, HAM, 7-3; Fifth-Sixth – lost maj. dec. Winfield West, CF, 12-3.

120 – Martin Wilkie (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Sidney Cooke, WF, :28; Quarterfinals – pinned Bridger Grover, LEW, 3:14; Semifinal – maj. dec. Tristan Slye, BEL, 14-3; Championship – pinned Caleb Birdwell, LEW, 3:15 126 – Lane Paulson 1st rd – pinned by Ben Windauer, CF, 1:11; Consolation 1st rd – dec. Ethan Boyce, BC, 9-2; Consolation 2nd rd – lost maj. dec. Jace Winter, SID, 9-0.

132 – Logan Pleninger (2nd Place) 1st rd – pinned Rob Bertelsen, WF, :57; Quarterfinals – pinned Chase Farrar, LEW, 1:17; Semifinal – dec. Hunter Peterson, CF, 6-0; Championship – lost dec. Clayton Carter, LAU, 3-2, UT.

138 – Kody Pribyl (2nd Place)

1st rd – pinned James Bess, HAM, :53; Quarterfinals – pinned Torry Watts, MC, 3:11; Semifinal – maj. dec. Cody Warner, FTN, 9-0; Championship – lost dec. Brent Tezak, DIL, 9-2.

145 – Jazz Schroeder 1st rd – pinned by Mason Fetters, CF, 2:30; Consolation 1st rd – dec. Kris Anderson, HAM, 9-3; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned by Mason Fend, LAU, 4:06.

152 – Parker Filius (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Hunter Allen, FTN, :31; Quarterfinals – pinned Cade Dockter, GLE, :55; Semifinal – tech. fall Steven Scheffer, HAM, 17-2; Championship – tech. fall Alex Wickens, LEW, 20-5.

152 – Jared Laux 1st rd – pinned by McCollaum Kye, COR, 3:04; Consolation 1st rd – lost dec. Tanner Branstetter, LAU, 2-1.

Team Scores

182 – Jase Stokes (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Noah Humphrey, POL, :41; Quarterfinals – pinned Brady Boyce, LEW, :17; Semifinals – pinned Mason Griffin, STV, 1:15; Championship – dec. Connor Murdock, HAR, 7-4.

205 – Tyler Schaub (State Champion) 1st rd – pinned Matt Stafford, DIL, 3:30; Quarterfinals – maj. dec. Braden Watson, BC, 12-4; Semifinals – dec. Justin Hinson, HAM, 5-3 in SVO; Championship – dec. Hunter Severson, SID, 6-2.

205 – JayR Caplette 1st rd – pinned by Mike Corrigan, POL, 2:56; Consolation 1st rd – pinned by Uriah Turner, HAR, 3:53.

160 – Dane Flammond (3rd Place) 1st rd – tech. fall Malik Heydon, WF, 15-0; Quarterfinals – tech. fall Colten McPhee, CF, 16-0; Semifinal – lost dec. Manny Rivera, HAM, 5-2; Consolation Semis – dec. Tyler Klapp, GLE, 4-0; Consolation Final – maj. dec. Chad Landers, LEW, 11-0.

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2015 Havre Invitational Wrestling Results

2016 Class A State Wrestling Results CLASS A

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2016 CLASS A

HWT – Travis Adams (State Champion) 1st rd – Bye; Quarterfinals – pinned Grant Scalpcrane, HAR, 1:28; Semifinals – dec. Luke Channer, COR, 4-0; Championship – pinned Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 3:53.

1. Havre 284.5, 2. Great Falls High 249, 3. CMR 139.5, 5. Browning 130, 6. Lewistown 107, 6. Chinook 72, 7.

Cut Bank 70, 8. Malta 67, 9. Libby 58.5, 10. Chester/J-I 17, 11. Butte Central 12 Championships 103: Carter Carroll, CMR, p. Bubby Doolin, Libby, 1:25; 113: Ryan Stewart, HAV, d. B. Lomas, GFH, 7-1; 120: Martin Wilkie, HAV, p. B. Grover, Lewistown, :51; 126: Caleb Birdwell, Lewistown, p. Jack Dressel, GFH, 3:51; 132: Trey Simanton, Malta, p. Logan Pleninger, HAV, :39; 138: Kai Stewart, CMR, d. Koby Pribyl, HAV, 5-4; 145: Chase Perry, GFH, md. Calvin Racine, Browning, 13-4; 152: Parker Filius, HAV, d. Jordan Komac, GFH, 7-0; 160: Tommy McMillen, GFH, d. Dane Flammond, HAV, 3-0; 170: Jace Berkham, CB, d. Chase Short, GFH, 5-3; 182: Jase Stokes, HAV, p. Jesse Dannels, CHI, 1:47; 205: Tyler Schuab, HAV, d. Nick Nordell, CMR, 6-3; HWT: Travis Adams, HAV, d. Noah Danielson, CMR, 6-2.

Third Place 103: Colton Clemons (no 3rd place match); 113: Mason Sams, Libby, p. Dillon Dejean, CMR, 2:35; 120: Lane Paulson, HAV, d. Declan Mahoney, GFH, 8-3; 126: Clay Fisher, BC, d. Kolter Schipman, MAL, 9-2; 132: Russell Wienholz, d. Keaton Anderson, CB, 1-0; 138 : Laine Young, Libby, p. Blade Massey, GFH, 4:00; 145: Jazz Schroeder, HAV, p. Jase Goss, Browning, 1:53; 152: Tyler Meyer, GFH, p. JR Seewald, CB, 2:18; 160: Derek Bell, CHI, d. Chad Landers, LEW, 5-2: 170: Ken Pruttis, CHI, p. Max Sechena, CMR, :37; 182: Cody Lucke, BRO, d. Bradley Denton, LEW, 5-0; 205: Ryan

Moldenhauer, GFH, p. Zach Wippert, BRO, 2:14; HWT: Justin Pfeifer, CB, p. Kolton Wippert, BRO, 2:05.

solation Semifinals - pinned Trever James, BRO, 1:41; Consolation Finals - 8-3 dec., Declan Mahoney, GFH.

Fifth Place

132 - Logan Pleninger (2nd Place)

113: Talon Arndt, LEW, (no 5th place match); 120: Mark Missliedine, MAL, d. Trever James, BRO, 11-9; 126: Ross Reed, CHI, p. James Buffington, CHI, 2:02; 132: Kaden Moore, MAL, d. Chase Farrar,LEW, 4-3; 138: Isaac Wippert, BRO, p. Kolton Schipman, MAL, 1:51; 145: Mitch Brown, CMR d. Tyler Loch, GFH, injury; 152: Tanner Farren, CMR, d. Joe Schildt, BRO, 5-2; 160: Wyatt Blythe, LEW, d. Sam Deffinbaugh, C/J-I 11-7; 170: Walter White, HAV, p. Tony Walter, CMR. 3:25; 182: Brett Kipp, BRO, p. Jordan Pierce, MAL, 1:42; 205: Jensne Pointer, GFH, d. Clancy Gout, Libby, 6-2; HWT: Jared Sienkowski, HAV, p. Brock Smith, HAV, 1:45.

Quarterfinals - pinned Colton Liddle, CHI, 1:55; Semifinals - 8-0 dec., Russel Wienholtz, GFH; Finals - pinned

by Trey Simanton, MAL, 0:39.

Havre Individuals 113 - Ryan Stewart (Champion) Semifinals - 12-1 dec., Mason Simms, Libby; Championship - 7-1 dec., Braeden Lomes, GFH. 120 - Martin Wilkie (Champion) Semifinals - pinned Declan Mahoney, GFH, 3:24; Championship - pinned Bridger Grover, LEW, 0:51;

120 - Lane Paulson (3rd place) Quarterfinals - pinned Mark Missildine, MAL, 3:30; Semifinals - pinned by Bridger Grover, LEW, 0:46; Con-

138 - Kody Pribyl (2nd Place) Quarterfinals - pinned James Esty, CB, 0:23; Semifinals - pinned Laine Young, Libby, 0:25; Finals - lost 5-4 dec., Kai Stewart, CMR. 145 - Jazz Schroeder (3rd place) Quarterfinals - lost 11-0 dec., Tyler Loch, GFH; Consolation Quaterfinals - 5-2 dec., Kollin Nystrom, HAV; Consolation Semifinals - pinned Mitch Browning, BRO, 3:53; Consolation Finals: pinned Jase Gross, BRO, 1:53.

145 - Kollin Nystrom (7th place)

Quarterfinals - pinned Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 0:35; Semifinals - 10-3 dec., Derek Bell, CHI; Championship - lost 3-0 dec., Tommy McMillen, GFH. 160 - Jared Laux (7th place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Chad Lanners, LEW, 2:26; Consolation first round - 10-3 dec., Andres Lopez, MAL; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Sam Deffinbaugh, C/J-I, 2:02; Seventh-Place Match - Pinned Taylor Gopher, HAV, 0:23.

160 - Taylor Gopher Quarterfinals - pinned by Derek Bell, CHI, 0:58; Consolation First Round - pinned Dominic Voomies, Libby, 2:15; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Wyatt Blythe, LEW, 0:48; Seventh-Place Match - pinned by Jared Laux, 0:23.

170 - Walter White (5th Place)

Quarterfinals - pinned by Calvin Racine, BRO, 3:25; Consolation Quarterfinals - lost 5-2 dec., Jazz Schroeder, HAV; Seventh-Place Match - pinned Grady Gilpatrick, LEW, 2:30;

First Round - pinned by Tony Walter, CMR, 3:25; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned Austin Ratliff, HAV, 2:42; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Ken Pruttis, CHI, 1:56; Fifth-Place Match - pinned Tony Walter, CMR, 3:25.

152 - Parker Filius (Champion)

170 - Austin Ratliff

First round - pinned Tanner wood, Libby, 0:38; Quarterfinals - pinned Joe Schildt, BRO, 0:51; Semifinals - technical fall 17-1 Tyler Meyer, GFH; Championship - 5-0 dec., Jordan Komac, GFH.

First Round - 10-7 dec., Colter Stillwagon, BC; Quarterfinals - pinned by Max Sechena, CMR, 0:38; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Walter White, HAV, 2:42.

182 - Jase Stokes (Champion)

160 - Dane Flammond (2nd Place)

Quarterfinals - pinned Brett Kipp, BRO, 0:43; Semifinals

- pinned Jordan Pierce, MAL, 2:11; Finals - pinned Jesse Dannels, CHI, 1:47.

205 - Tyler Schuab (Champion) Quarterfinals - pinned Rylan Moldenhauer, GFH, 5:14; Semifinals - pinned Zach Wippert, BRO, 5:11; Championship - 6-3 dec., Nick Nordell, CMR. HWT - Travis Adams (Champion) Quarterfinals - pinned Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 1:47; Semifinals - pinned Kolton Wipper, BRO, 0:40; Finals 6-2 dec. Noah Danielson, CMR. HWT - Jared Sienkowski (5th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Travis Adams, HAV, 1:47; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned John Berg, HAV, 3:21; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Justin Pfeifer, CB, 1:54; Fifth-Place Match - pinned Brock Smith, HAV, 1:45.

HWT - Brock Smith (6th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Noah Danielson, CMR, 0:51; Consolation Semifinals - pinned by Kolton Wippert, BRO, 1:49: Fifth-Place Match - pinned by Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 1:45.

HWT - John Berg (7th Place) Quarterfinals - pinned by Kolton Wippert, BRO, 2:49; Consolation Quarterfinals - pinned by Jared Sienkowski, HAV, 3:21.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2016

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2016 CLASS A

February 2016

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Ponies dominate in the Corral Ponies steal the show on finals night HHS opens the wrestling season with a Havre Invite championship State Wrestling 2016

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

The Havre Wrestling Invitational has become the traditional starting point for the winter sports season along the Hi-Line and this past Saturday, it was held again at the HHS gymnasium.

And once again the Blue Ponies dominated it.

The Ponies did get a slight push from defending Class AA state champion Great Falls High, but at the end of the day, thanks in large part to six individual champions and a number of others placing highly, HHS captured the team crown with 284.5 points. The Bison were a relatively close second with 249, while CMR was third with 139.5. Browning and Lewistown were fourth and fifth with 130 and 107 points, respectively.

"You have to start somewhere," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "The first weekend is a mixed bag, but it's always like that. Now we know what we need to work on, so it's fun."

The two-day meet, which began Friday, came to a close Saturday and when the finals came around, it seemed like just about every championship match featured a Havre wrestler.

In all, the Ponies qualified nine wrestlers for the finals and finished with 13 wrestlers in the top five.

As expected, Havre got great performances from all three of its individual state champions. Parker Filius took home first place at 152 pounds thanks to an exciting 7-0 decision over Jordan Kormac of Great Falls High, while Jase Stokes pinned Jesse Dannels of Chinook in 1:47 to take the title at 182.

Travis Adams won by way of a 6-2 decision over Noah Danielson of CMR and Tyler Schaub also took home the championship at 205 pounds after defeating Nick Nordell of CMR. "It's a fun weekend, but honestly this isn't really a high point for us," Parker Filius said. "It's a nice first

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Top: Havre High's Parker Filius, right, works the head of a Great Falls High rival during the Havre Invitational at the HHS gymnasium. Filius was one of six Blue Ponies to claim an individual title at the tournament. For more photos, go to www.havredailynews.com.

Stewart

Wilkie

weekend but we aren't really building towards this tournament, we are building towards the end of the year."

The other individual champions from Havre in

Filius

the meet were Ryan Stewart, who won at 113 pounds thanks to a 7-1 decision over Braeden Lomas of Great Falls High and Martin Wilkie, who took home the title at 120 pounds with a pin of Bridger Grover

Stokes

Schaub

of Lewistown in 51 seconds.

The three wrestlers who made it to the finals but ended up finishing second were Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds, who was pinned by Malta's Trey Simanton in 39 seconds, Koby Pribyl at 138

Adams

pounds, who lost a 5-4 decision to CMR's Kai Stewart, and Dane Flammond at 160 pounds, who lost a 3-0 decision to Tommy McMillen of Great Falls High.

"We made some mistakes yesterday (Friday) and to-

day (Saturday) but that's alright," coach Filius said.

"We turned some of those things around, and you kind of need to wrestle your way into shape and that's kind of where we're at. I feel like we were aggressive. I thought we had a good tempo and I like that."

The other wrestlers who managed to place in the meet for the Ponies Saturday were Lane Paulson, who finished third at 120 pounds, Jazz Schroeder, who earned a third-place finish at 145 pounds and Walter White, who was fifth at 170 pounds.

Jared Sienkowski managed to finish fifth in the heavyweight division thanks to a victory over Brock Smith of Havre, who finished sixth. Kollin Nystrom also finished seventh at 145 pounds for HHS, while Jarred Laux was seventh at 160 pounds.

All in all, it was a good performance from the Ponies, who got some standout performances from their veterans, while also seeing some promising signs from the many youngsters on the team.

"We had a lot of young kids do really well," Filius said. "Lane Paulson and Kollin Nystrom, two freshmen, both had great weekends for us and I was really pleased with both of them."

Filius said he appreciated the competition that was presented by Class AA schools such as Great Falls High and CMR, as well as from Class B schools like Malta and Cut Bank and Chinook, the defending Class C state champion.

"Anytime you wrestle some better competition, you find out if your kids have a little grit in them," Filius said. "Sometimes they expose you a little bit and you have some things to work on and sometimes it exposes that you have some pretty good character."

The Ponies will be back in action Friday and Saturday at the Mining City Duals.

HHS adds five more state champions to its ever-growing dynasty Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

BILLINGS — There are few things in high school sports that can rival the excitement of finals night at the All-Class state wrestling tournament and once again finals night was a time for the Havre Blue Ponies to shine.

In front of a packed house inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings Saturday night, the Havre High wrestling team put on a show, capturing five individual state titles and coming just short of two others as HHS put seven wrestlers into the championship round.

While the Ponies had the team title already locked up when finals night came around, there was still plenty of drama and excitement starting with juniors Parker Filius and Jase Stokes.

Both Filius and Stokes were two-time champions coming into the tournament and both were attempting to win their third of a possible four individual titles. No Havre wrestler has ever won four individual titles, but after Saturday night, both Filius and Stokes will have the chance to do just that next season.

Filius, who was the first Havre wrestler to take to the mat in the championship round, treated his opponent, Alex Wickens, of Lewistown, like a rag doll and defeated him 20-5 via technical fall after seemingly scoring takedowns at will.

“I was a little disappointed with my pace to start the tournament,” Filius said.

“But I was able to pick it up later and I was pleased with the way I finished.”

It seemed like Filius could have pinned Wickens at any time, yet he repeatedly would take down Wickens and allow him to get back up, only to take him right back down again, before the score difference finally became 15 points

and the match was stopped.

“I don’t get a lot of pins,” Filius said. “I like to get a lot of takedowns and score a lot of points.”

“It would be cool,” Filius said of being a four-time champion. “That is something that is very important to me.”

After Filius took care of his business, Stokes went about taking care of his as he was the next Pony on the finals stage in the 182-pound final against Connor Murdock of Hardin. Stokes and Murdock battled in the Eastern A Divisional final with Stokes getting the win and even though it was another hard-fought match, the result was the same as Stokes squeaked out a 7-4 decision.

Murdock struck first with a two-point takedown, but Stokes answered with one of his own and after a one-point escape, he lead 3-2 entering the third period. In the final period, Stokes got another key takedown, which gave him enough of a cushion to hang on for the win.

“It feels good,” Stokes said.

“I have the chance to be the first four-timer for Havre. I didn’t wrestle my best, but I wrestled hard and I guess that’s all I can ask for.”

Following Stokes' victory, Tyler Schaub was the next Pony wrestler to compete on finals night and the sophomore didn’t disappoint.

Schaub earned a trip to the finals after an overtime victory.

In the championship match at 205 pounds against Hunter Severson, Schaub and the Sidney wrestler were tied at 2-2 going into the third. Severson had just beat Schaub in last week’s Eastern A finale. A false start on Severson gave Schaub the advantage, then he scored an escape point to go up 4-2. And with less than 30 seconds left, Schaub scored another takedown, which clinched the 6-2 victory and his first individual title.

“I just wrestled,” Schaub said. “It feels great, I placed higher than my brother (his sophomore year).”

“We worked all week to get off bottom,” coach Filius said. “He (Schaub) beat two kids that had beat him in the semis and the finals and I am

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Above: Havre's Jase Stokes, right, battles Hardin's Connor Murdock in the 182-pound Class A championship February 13th in Billings. Stokes captured his third straight Class A state championship with a decision over Murdock. very proud of him.”

In the fourth championship match of the night for Havre, senior Travis Adams took the mat and despite falling behind 2-0 early in the match, Adams got the pin over Bryce Blumenschein of Belgrade in 3:03 to wrap up his Havre career with two state titles.

“I feel tired, sweaty, sore, my knee still hurts, my other calf hurts, I think I got a little mat burn on my face,” Adams said after his match.

“But nothing can compare to the feeling in my soul and in my heart.”

Following his victory, Adams held up two fingers to symbolize his two state titles and pointed at the direction of the Havre fans for the last time.

“I was just basking in the

moment,” Adams said. “It was my second time winning the championship match and it’s priceless.”

“Travis wrestled him 20 times and he finally got a takedown,” coach Filius said.

“But I was never worried about him. I had complete confidence in him.”

After Adams left the stage, there was a passing of the guard moment of sorts as freshman Martin Wilkie stepped onto the championship mat at 120 pounds and dominated. In a perfect way to cap an extremely impressive first season, Wilkie pinned Caleb Birdwell of Lewistown in 3:15 to win his first state championship.

“We put in a lot of work during the summer,” Wilkie said. “So this was the goal

and it feels great to achieve it.”

“Right now he is just a sponge,” coach Filius said.

“He is a pleasure to coach.

He is in that stage where he is learning everything right now and he just has so much passion, it’s just really fun.”

At that point, the Ponies had reached five individual champions, which tied a school record, yet, they would never get to six.

Despite a championship-caliber effort from both Logan Pleninger at 132 pounds and Kody Pribyl at 138 pounds, both seniors fell short of the elusive individual state championship that had been alluding them, something coach Filius know all too well. Pleninger lost a heartbreaking decision to Laurel’s

Clayton Carter in ultimate victory overtime, while Pribly fell short against Dillon’s Brent Tezak in the 138-pound final.

“Yeah, I have been there,” Filius said. “It’s tough to go out on the losing end of it. I have been dragging around those two with me for years.

It was fun to get them into the finals, wish we would have got one of them (Pleninger or Pribyl) through to the dance, but we came up short.”

And while finals night was a perfect ending for the Ponies, it was, as usual, dominating, and the seven wrestlers who took the mat in the final round of the 2016 wrestling season were a big reason why Havre was once again kings of Class A wrestling.

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2016 CLASS A

February 2016

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Blue Ponies roll to another Class A crown Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

BILLINGS — The Havre High wrestling team went to Billings for the All-Class state wrestling tournament this past weekend with the goal of winning a fourth straight team championship. When it was all said and done, the Blue Ponies achieved that goal with what looked like ease.

The Blue Ponies trailed in the tournament only for a short time Friday after the first round, but after that, HHS led wire-to-wire and steamrolled the competition, capturing the Class A title at the two-day meet inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in impressive fashion.

Havre scored a total of 213 points and crowned five individual champions on its way to the championship. Polson finished second with 147 points and Hardin was third with 115.

“It was fun,” HHS head coach Scott Filius said. “You never get sick of (winning the state championship). It was a little anti-climatic because we knew that we had it walking in, and I don’t mean that to be cocky or whatever. Our kids were just that good.”

Filius is correct in the fact that there was never much drama about which team would hoist the Class A trophy at the end of the day on Saturday, especially with the work the Ponies put in Friday, on the first day of the tournament.

After qualifying 13 wrestlers total, the Ponies advanced nine of them to Saturday, with eight of them reaching the semifinals. In all, Havre was 19-9 on the first day with a total of 13 pins.

While Havre had four wrestlers eliminated Friday, the Ponies still led by 15 points heading to Saturday and after getting wins from Martin Wilkie (120 pounds), Logan Pleninger (132 pounds), Kody Pribyl (138 pounds), Parker Filius (152), Jase Stokes (182), Tyler Schaub (205) and Travis Adams (HWT), in the semifinals to advance to the championship round, as well as a win from Ryan Stewart (113) in the consolation quarterfinals, Havre’s lead ballooned to 80 points.

At that point, the drama of the team competition was

over and the only question that remained was how many champions could Havre put into the the winner’s circle.

In the end, the answer was five, as Wilkie, Filius, Stokes, Schaub and Adams were all crowned champions.

Yet, even though Havre got five champions, coach Filius was hoping for six or seven and in terms of getting a sixth individual champion, Havre came oh so close.

Senior Logan Pleninger, who has been a staple in the Havre lineup for four years, had done just about everything in his career except win an individual title, which he was shooting for on finals night. However, after a classic bout with Clayton Carter, Pleninger fell 3-2 in overtime on a somewhat controversial ending to finish second.

For almost five minutes in the match, Carter and Pleninger were stalemated at 0-0, before Carter finally scored a takedown to jump up 2-0. Yet, in the final minute, Pleninger answered with two points of his own, which sent the match to overtime tied at 2-2.

With no other matches going on, the entire crowd at the Metra focused on Carter and Pleninger, who went through three extra sessions without so much as a point scored.

Then, with Pleninger on bottom, needing just an escape point to win, he was called for a false start. And since he had already received warnings in the first and third periods for the same offense, Carter was awarded a point and the match. And while the call was made correctly, it was simply a shame to see such a classic match end that way.

“It was a great match, both kids competed hard. But the bottom line is that we control it, we had to get off bottom and we didn’t do it,” Filius said. “We didn’t in the two minutes and we didn’t in the overtime. It was a false start.

It was unfortunate but hats off to Carter, he did a good job. He beat us in a position I didn’t think that he could.”

Right after Pleninger lost in dramatic fashion, Havre’s last senior, Pribyl took his shot at winning an individual title, something he had yet to do and unfortunately, he also came up short, losing a 9-2 decision to Brent Tezak of Dil-

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2016 CLASS A

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Dynasty To Be Continued

Blue Pony wrestling team loaded for yet another title run Chris Peterson Havre Daily News

cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre High junior Parker Filius, right, squares off against Lewistown's Alex Wickens in the 152-pound Class A state championship in Billings. Filius captured his third straight state title with a technical fall. For more photos, and special photo galleries from the state wrestling tournament, go to www.havredailynews.com. lon.

“They have both been in the program for four years and are great wrestlers,” Filius said. “We were hoping that we could get one of them (Pleninger or Pribyl) through to the dance, but we came up short. That burns right now and that’s just where I am at with it.”

Yet, despite losing, both Pleninger and Pribyl were four-time medalists at state and each were part of four state championship teams.

“Not too many people can say that they were part of four state championship teams,” Pleninger said. “It’s really something special.”

“Ever since I was a little

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Havre sophomore Tyler Schaub, right, takes down Sidney's Hunter Severson in the Class A 205-pound state championship match in Billings. Schaub was one of five Ponies to win a title.

kid, I wanted to be a Blue Pony wrestler and it just meant a lot to be part of the team,” Pribyl said. “It was great to finally get to finals night until the end there.”

On a positive note, Parker Filius and Stokes set themselves up to make some history next year, as both captured their third consecutive individual title, which will give them each a chance to be four-time champions next season.

"It would be a lot of fun, but there is three," coach Filius said referring to Parker, Stokes and the freshman Wilkie, who has a chance to be a four-timer as well now. "If we are going to make it two, we might as well make it three."

Adams, who is also a senior, closed out his career as a twotime champion with his second consecutive title.

“I am ready to go drink my first soda, eat a steak and some seafood,” Adams quipped after this championship match. “This is the last match I will ever wrestle for the Havre Blue Ponies. It’s

hard to describe, I’d compare to the angels rejoicing in heaven around God’s throne.”

Overall, the Blue Ponies placed nine grapplers. Junior Dane Flammond (160) reached the semis and finished third for the second straight year, while Stewart finished sixth at 113 pounds. Jazz Schroeder (145) and Lane Paulson (126) also scored points for the Ponies.

Havre also tied its own record for most state champions on one team with five, while the Blue Ponies won their 11th state championship under Filius, and, broke a tie with Missoula Sentinel for the second-most wrestling state championships in Montana with 13. Havre now trails Butte High, which has won 17 titles.

“This is a great group of kids," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "They are fun to be around. They care for each other, they work hard, they are a class act, they work hard on and off the mat and they are fun to be associated with."

There is no question that Havre High wrestling coach Scott Filius has built the Blue Ponies into a dynasty.

HHS has won three consecutive Class A state titles and is the prohibitive favorite to win a fourth this season.

Yet, winning is never easy.

And often times, the biggest threat to teams that have won as much as Havre has in wrestling, is the ability to handle success. Well, unlike most teams, Filius and his squads have never lost their hunger and so far this season, the Ponies are working as hard as ever to maintain their spot at the pinnacle of Class A wrestling.

"Things are going really good," Filius said. "Right now, the kids are really buying into the hard work in the room. We are sitting at 22 kids right now and we have the right 22, so we are pretty pleased."

When it comes to wrestling rosters, few if any, can compare to the one the Ponies will bring into the 2015-16 season. To start things off, Havre boasts three returning individual state champions from last year in Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Travis Adams.

Stokes and Filius will each be juniors this season and both have captured individual state championships in their first two seasons.

Adams won his first state title last year, after a secondplace finish as a sophomore.

He also placed at state as a freshman, which gives the Ponies a total of three seniors that have placed in all three seasons leading up to this one, as Logan Pleninger and Kody Pribyl have also achieved that feat.

"There might be some guys on our team that have more accolades, but those three guys, Adams, Pribyl and Pleninger, are very important to what we do," Filius said. "We have some great leadership on this team and those three guys are some of

our best leaders."

While the Ponies did lose some incredibly talented seniors, including two state champions in Jace Billy at 205 pounds and Grayson Brenna at 132 pounds, HHS also graduated Gunnar Aageson, who earned a second-place finish a season ago, losing to Filius in the finals of the 145-pound weight class.

"We did lose three really good kids that have been in the program a long time," Filius said. "But, we picked up some really good freshmen this year and we have some great leadership, so we are in a good spot."

In all, the Ponies will return eight wrestlers, who placed at state last year, including seven that finished in the top four. Sophomore Ryan Stewart will look to build on a third-place finish from last year, as will junior Dane Flammond. Pleninger also finished third last season, while Pribyl and Tyler Schaub each finished fourth in their respective weight classes. Keegan Kennelly also finished fifth.

Yet, as coach Filius mentioned, there is a lot of young talent in the program and it's more than just the freshmen class.

Jazz Schroeder (145), Walter White (170), JayR Caplette (170), John Berg (HWT) and Brock Smith (HWT) are among the sophomores that could turn into contributors this season.

While, the freshmen class boasts Lane Paulson at 120 pounds, Martin Wilkie at 120 pounds, Kollin Nystrom at 145 pounds, Taylor Gopher at 160 pounds, Austin Ratliff at 170 pounds, Thor Abbasi at 170 pounds and Jacoby Fox at 182 pounds.

While Filius has done a great job of building depth, his lineup should be as solid as ever with Stewart at 113 pounds, Pleninger at 132, Pribyl at 138, Parker Filius at 152, Stokes at 182, Schaub at 205 and Adams in the heavyweight division. Flammond will compete for time

at 160 pounds along with Jared Laux and Jared Sienkowski who will also factor in the heavyweight class.

"We have some kids that have high goals," Filius said. "And right now, they are working hard to try and achieve them. We had some younger kids that were an important part of what we did a year ago and this year, they are going to be at the heart of what we do."

Even though the Ponies are loaded with talent, one thing that will be different in 2015-16 from year's past is going to be the divisional tournament. Havre will no longer just compete against Central A teams Belgrade, Livingston, Lewistown and Browning for spots in the state tournament, it will now compete against the rest of the Eastern A, which includes Sidney, Miles City, Glendive, Billings Central, Hardin and Laurel. All nine teams will meet in Havre for the Eastern A divisional on Feb. 6.

"I don't think it's really going to change much," Filius said. "I think it might be like we are wrestling the state tournament two weeks in a row. The teams from the western part of the state just don't have the depth or the high quality kids like we do, so we are going to see that really good competition back-to-back weeks. But, it will prepare us well for state and it could also make things different and help us know better who we are going to be wrestling when we get into the semifinals."

Like always, Sidney should be the top contender to Havre's crown this season, but the Ponies could also see challenges from many other teams, but at this point, Filius is focused on taking it one week at a time.

"I haven't really thought that far ahead to be honest with you," Filius said. "The only way that you win championships is by working hard and getting better every week. That's what we have done in the past and that's

Havre Daily News/File Photo Havre High's Kody Pribyl wrestles in the consolation finals of the 2015 Class A state tournament last February in Billings. Pribyl is one of eight returning state placers for the Blue Ponies, who begin a new season Friday, and their quest for a fourth straight state championship. what we want to do again."

The Ponies will have a hectic early-season schedule as they open the season this Friday, when they will host the two-day Havre Invitational, which will be run through Saturday at the HHS Gymnasium. After that, HHS will head to Butte for the Butte Central Mixer on

Dec. 10 as well as the Mining City Duals, which will take place Dec. 11 and 12. Then, before Christmas break, the Ponies will compete in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The Ponies will also participate in the Cut Bank Invitational Jan. 8-9, the prestigious Jug Beck Invitational in Missoula Jan. 15-16, the Class A Duals in

Lewistown on Jan. 22-23, as well as a dual against Great Falls High on Jan. 26 and a dual against Malta on Jan. 30.

Following the Eastern A Divisional, Havre will shoot for its fourth consecutive straight at the Metra in Billings Feb. 12-13.

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2016 CLASS A

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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STATE CHAMPIONS

MARTIN PARKER JASE TYLER TRAVIS WILKIE FILIUS STOKES SCHAUB ADAMS

#120 #152 #182 #205 HWT