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PARKER FILIUS

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JASE STOKES

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JACE BILLY

TYLER ADAMS

STATE CHAMPIONS #138

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State wrestling champions Blue Ponies take Billings by storm, 4 individual champs Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

The Havre High wrestling team sure does know how to put a stamp on an All-Class State wrestling tournament. But one thing the Blue Ponies, under head coach Scott Filius, don’t seem to know, is how to slow down.

Havre racked up 294.5 points in winning its second straight Class A state title Saturday night in Billings and, in the process, tied its own record for most points scored in a Class A state tournament. Those numbers are staggering consider-

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Ponies out to defend Class A state title Havre High wrestling team looks to have all the pieces needed to defend its Class A state title Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com It is not every year that a high school wrestling program can win a state championship, then turn around a year later and return most of its grapplers. That however, is the fortunate situation the Havre Blue Ponies find themselves in as they gear up for what will most likely be another dominating season.

The story of the Blue Pony dynasty continues to be written. And as this season is just getting underway, the Ponies are looking to capture their second consecutive Class A state title. A year ago, the Ponies captured both the Central A and Class A state wrestling titles.

They also had 11 individuals place at state, including two individual

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Jace Billy, right, captured the 195-pound Class A championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. form, and I think we did.”

Remarkably, two Blue Pony freshmen also won state championships Saturday night. Parker Filius captured the 138-pound state title, while fellow freshman Jase Stokes was a champion at 152.

Both wrestlers have now completed the

first step in trying to become four-time state champions — which is the rarest of feats in high school wrestling. Blue Pony sophomore Keegan Kennelly lost his bid to be a state champion in the 106-pound final, but overall, Saturday night was yet another wonderful night for the Blue Pony program.

"All of the kids wrestled well, we even had some kids win it all last year, return and wrestle better this year and not win it," coach Filius said. "I was pleased with our kids.”

For more state wrestling photos see page 8.

No debating Havre’s place in history George Ferguson Sports Editor

February 2014

Daniel Horton

BILLINGS — Make it two in a row for the Havre High wrestling team. And that’s now nine for Blue Pony head coach Scott Filius.

Saturday night, the Blue Ponies walked out of the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings as Class A state champions for the second straight season and for the ninth time since 1999. Havre got a huge fight from its biggest rival as Sidney sent eight wrestlers into the finals, but they couldn’t catch the Po nies, who scored 29 4 . 5 p o i n t s a n d crowned four individual state champions while placing 13 of the 17 wrestlers they took to the tournament. The Eagles finished second with 268.5 points.

In winning yet another state championship, Havre accomplished even more greatness this weekend. The Ponies tied their own Class A record for most team points, which they set in 2009. Havre had six grapplers in the finals, including brothers Tyler and Travis Adams facing off at 220 pounds.

Tyler, a senior, came out on top. And Jace Billy claimed his first state championship by winning at 195 pounds.

“The kids wrestled well; we took control of what we can control and we won the matches that we could win,” coach Filius said. “What Sidney did was up to them. We couldn’t control what they did unless we went head to head, then we had to per-

From the Fringe...

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ing how good arch rival Sidney was this weekend, too.

The Eagles did their best to chase down the Blue Ponies, but as Havre’s Parker Filius beat Sidney’s Jordan Stevens in the 138-pound state championship match Saturday night, the chase was all but over.

Havre was just too good, even for a wrestling powerhouse like Sidney.

And, with four more individual state titles, 13-of-17 wrestlers reaching the podium and a ninth state championship since 1997, the Blue Ponies put a stamp on something else Saturday night, the debate about which program is the best in what I like to call the modern era.

For me, there is no doubt it’s Havre, and I say that with all due respect to Sidney, because, make no mistake, Sidney is a true wrestling powerhouse with a great and

legendary head coach, and like the Blue Ponies, the Eagles just continue to be a strong program, yearafter-year.

But the numbers don’t lie. Since Scott Filius took over the Blue Pony program, he has guided HHS to nine state championships. In that same time frame, the Eagles have won five. Now, five state titles is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, for almost any wrestling program in the state, that’s a dynasty in itself.

But here’s what makes Havre a cut above the rest. Since 2003, the Blue Ponies have finished in the top three at the state tournament every season and have had at least one individual state champion since 2004.

During what has become an incredible 11-year run in which the Ponies have won five state titles, no other team has earned a trophy each sea-

son during that same stretch. Not even Sidney. Sidney did win three straight state titles during that time, but Havre garnered a trophy in each of those years, too, and the Ponies did the same when Laurel won in 2011 and Corvallis won in 2012.

Even when Havre was supposedly down, the Ponies were still very good.

In other words, the consistency with which Havre has performed over the last decade-plus is unmatched, on any level. Even considering the great Flathead High teams, Conrad and Glasgow at the Class B-C level, Billings Skyview, it’s just hard to find a program in Montana that has been as consistently good as Havre has.

Sports dynasties don’t last. At some point, they fade away. It’s

happened to even the greatest wrestling programs in Montana, a sport rich with wrestling tradition.

But for nearly two decades now, Havre hasn’t faded, and under Filius, the Blue Ponies have stayed in the light. Hundreds upon hundreds of kids have come through the Havre program helping make it what it is.

There have been state champions and heroes, surprises and great stories. And there was plenty more from HHS this past weekend in Billings.

When the lights went out at the Rimrock Auto Arena, and another wrestling season came to end Saturday night, something else ended too … any debate about where Havre’s legacy now stands in the annals of Class A wrestling.

For now, the debate is over. Havre High stands alone.

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Tyler Adams, left, is one of nine returning placers from last year's Class A state championship team. The Blue Pony roster is loaded with talent, and Havre will be a heavy favorite to repeat come February in Billings. champions. The Ponies lost just two seniors from a year ago, a rarity at any level, meaning the expectations for this season are very high for veteran head coach Scott Filius’ talented team.

Vacant from this year’s team due to graduation is Grant Pattison and Gilbert Bara. Pattison (189) was a state champion last year and Bara (135) placed sixth.

“I would think that since most of these kids have been around the program and have found a lot of success that the expectations would be high,” Filius said. “We typically lose more than just a couple of kids, but we really have a good crew back this year. And the nice part about this crew is that they are working really hard, and I don’t care if you are talented or not, if you don’t work hard then you don’t have the success. They are all working hard and have good backgrounds, so we expect a lot out of them.”

The key returners for the HHS squad include Grayson Brenna, Tyler Adams, Keegan Kennelly, Jace Billy, Dylan Stewart, Kody Pribyl, Logan Pleninger, Thomas Gruber and Travis Adams. The entire group of returners placed in the top six at state a season ago, while Brenna was a state champion last year,

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Grayson Brenna, left, is one of nine returning placers from last year's Class A state championship team.

and Tyler Adams and Kennelly both finished second. Billy, Stewart and Pribyl all took third place a year ago. Gunnar Aageson, Jordan Schroeder, Jason Kohler, Jake Williams and Dustin Odegard also highlight the returning wrestlers, and all wrestled at the state meet last season.

“We will be competitive,” Filius said. “We are going to have a few freshman in the lineup, but I have had all of these kids for a while, so I know they will all compete, I am confident in that. From top to bottom we have kids that will give great effort and that is going to pay dividends for us.

“We have had some new guys stepping up already,” Filius added.

“But what I really like is our freshmen class. We have some middle guys, little guys, and a couple of big guys, so we are pleased with that.”

Jase Stokes, Parker Filius and Dane Flammond should lead what is a talented freshmen class. They have a ton of mat time already in their young careers and have shown they should be able to perform at the varsity level right away.

But freshmen or seasoned veterans, the HHS schedule proves to be a test for any level of wrestler.

The Ponies open up this weekend with the annual Havre Invitational at the Havre High gymnasims, with over 15 teams, including Class AA state champion Great Falls High expected to be in attendance.

The tough schedule only begins

with the Havre Invite.

The Ponies will also hit several major duals and tournaments before divisionals and state. Major dates will include the Mining City Duals Dec. 13-14, the CMR Holiday Classic Dec. 20-21, the Bozeman Invitational Jan. 3-4, the Cut Bank Invitational Jan. 10-11, and the Missoula Invitational Jan. 17-18. The Ponies will also host Lewistown and Great Falls High Dec. 17 for their only other home matches, as well as take on the Class A duals, traveling to CMR, Conrad and Malta on the road. Divisionals will be in Browning Feb. 8 and state will be in Billings Feb. 14-15.

And the tougher the competition the better for this Pony team that knows they will only get better as the season progresses.

“The bottom line is that the competition brings the cream to the top,” coach Filius said, “so the faster we get into some competition, the quicker we can improve. And the nice part is, in our first weekend out we will see the Class AA state champs, as well as some other good teams like Libby and Lewistown.

We will find out how tough we really are.”

The regular season will officially begin Friday at 1 p.m. with the start of the Havre Invite. Action will resume Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

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February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Invite: Time to hit the mat Havre High grapplers make their season debut at home, against great competition Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Every year, the Havre High wrestling team kicks off a new season with the Havre Invitational at the Havre High gymnasium. This year is no exception, and the Blue Ponies will do so while facing what could be one of the toughest opening weekends in the state.

Today through Saturday, the Ponies will welcome in about 15 teams.

Round-robin action was set to begin today at 1 p.m. and the day will end with the first round of the tournament portion of the weekend. Tournament action will continue Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Teams expected to attend this weekend include CMR, Lewistown, Cut Bank, Glasgow, Browning, Libby, Butte Central, Fort Benton, Chester/J-I, Chinook, Big Sandy, Malta and last year’s AA champion, Great Falls High.

The Ponies finished in second place last year in Havre, but claimed three individual championships and four second-place finishes. Grayson Brenna, Dylan Stewart and Tyler Adams all took first place, while Keegan Kennelly, Thomas Gruber, Jordan Schroeder and Jace Billy all finished in second. Other key wrestlers this weekend will include Kody Pribyl, Logan Pleninger, Travis Adams, Gunnar Aageson, Jason Kohler, Jake Williams and Dustin Odegard.

Jase Stokes, Parker Filius and Dane Flammond will make their debut as standout Blue Pony freshmen.

“We have some great teams coming in and some great individuals,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said, “so we will really find out how tough we are right away. We try not to use practice time for the wrestle offs if we don’t have to. We will take care of that this weekend at the

weights that are contested, but we are pretty spread out and not really deep. We have about 25 kids, and we are spread pretty well top to bottom and are doubled up at only a couple weights.”

Coach Filius will have a solid lineup to build off of after this weekend, including finding the right weights for all of his guys.

But last year’s No. 2 finish at the beginning of the season turned into another Class A state title at the end of the season for the Ponies. And while state is the ultimate goal yet again, this weekend the focus is on going out and seeing competition.

There are no glaring areas that need work just yet, that will come later, and Filius should get a nice preview of his guys, as they should see nearly seven matches each this weekend.

“More than anything, we are looking for effort,” Filius said. “We don’t even know what we need to fix until we see them compete. And if we compete well, we can find areas of technique to work on. But until we get the kids competing, there isn’t a whole lot that we can secondguess. And we have some kids that will do just fine. We will do well at our tournament and most of our kids will get close to seven matches.

By the end of the weekend we will have a good feel of what each kid needs.”

The Ponies are an early favorite in the Central A and Class A ranks

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Never A Doubt

Blue Ponies repeat as Class A wrestling champions Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Keegan Kennelly lifts an opponent during the 2013 Class A state tournament last February in Billings. The Blue Ponies begin defense of their Class A state championship with the annual Havre Invite. again this, year, but the Ponies will put their talents on display for the first time this weekend. The annual

Havre Invite begins this afternoon and runs through Saturday evening at the HHS gymnasium.

BILLINGS — Repeating as a champion isn’t easy, but the Havre wrestling team sure makes it look like it is.

For the second straight season, the Blue Ponies captured the Class A state championship, and they did it in record fashion.

The Central A Blue Ponies were crowned the Class A state champions Saturday night in Billings. The Ponies turned in another great season all around under veteran head coach Scott Filius, but all that hard work was put on the line at the Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park in Billings.

Havre claimed the most recent state title with an impressive 294.5 points, making this one of the best state runs in recent history for the Ponies, who have now won nine titles under coach Filius. The team score ties a previous best by the Ponies when they won the title back in 2009. And anything less could have resulted in a second-place finish for the Ponies, as Sidney put together a great run in its own right, finishing with 268.5 team points. Columbia Falls was a distant third with 172 points.

The Ponies also won their second straight title with 17 grapplers, just like they took on the state last year with 17, as well.

And all 17 of Havre’s wrestlers scored points for the second straight year, while the Ponies placed 13 grapplers and had four individual state champions. Havre also led the tournament wire-towire.

“This definitely feels a lot better than when you’re not the winner,” coach Filius said after earning another team title. “The kids wrestled well, though. We took control of what we can control and we won the matches that we could win. What Sidney did was up to them, we couldn’t control what they did unless we went head to head, then

we had to perform, and I think we did.”

Through Friday’s matches the Ponies got out to a nice lead, but it was never comfortable.

HHS finished Friday with 143.5 points while Sidney kept hanging around with 122. And Saturday, Sidney got even closer. Heading into the consolation semifinals Sidney cut the Ponies’ lead to just over 11 points, 235.5 to 224.4. And a title wasn’t even a sure thing heading into the championship round, with the Ponies having six wrestlers searching for a title, compared to Sidney having eight individuals wrestling for titles. Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (220) all earned their spots in the chipper for the Ponies, and a key matchup included Parker Filius taking on Jordan Stevens of Sidney. Filius pinned Stevens in 3:23 and helped seal the deal for the Ponies.

Kennelly suffered an 8-5 decision loss, while Stokes won with a pin in 4:50, and Billy earned a 4-3 decision win.

Tyler Adams also defeated younger brother Travis 14-5 giving Havre four individual champions, and all four were first-time champions.

Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120) and Thomas Gruber (132) finished in third place. Kody Pribyl (145) and Dustin Odegard (182) finished in fourth place, while Jake Williams (170) and Dylan Stewart (126) finished in fifth place for Havre. Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (138), Jared Laux (160) and John Chinadle (195) also wrestled well for the Ponies, recording at least one win each, but did not place.

Gruber had a spectacular and heroic run for the Ponies. After losing to Glendive’s Dillon Tennant 2-1 in the quarterfinals Friday, Gruber won four straight matches, all by bonus points, and wound up third.

It was the senior’s best fin-

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High brothers Tyler, left, and Travis Adams stand side by side after their 220-pound Class A championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Facing each other in the championship match was just part of how dominant the Blue Ponies were on their way to a second consecutive Class A championship. ish at the state tournament, but he p l a c e d a l l f o u r y e a r s a n d was in arguably the toughest bracket every season.

Brenna was heroic as well.

After winning a state title as a sophomore, he was poised to repeat again this weekend.

However, a gut-wrenching loss to Sidney’s Gresh Jones, now a three-time state champion, in the semifinals left Brenna out of the finals for the first time in his career.

Still, he stormed back to finish third, a boost that helped keep the Ponies out in front of the Eagles. Pleninger did the same, falling to Sidney's Trace Jones in the semis, but rebounding to win twice and finish third.

In all, Havre sent 10 wrestlers into the semifinals Saturday morning. Stewart was beaten by Columbia Falls’ two-time state champ Shonn Roberts, but rallied

to reach the podium for the third straight year. In his final season, Williams looked great in reaching the semis, but suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Libby’s Garrett Chapel, who went on to win the 170-pound title. Williams battled back to a solid fifthplace finish though.

Pribyl also placed for the second straight season. He lost to one of the best overall wrestlers in the field in Anaconda’s Bryan Armstrong in the semis, but won his consolation semifinal on his way to a fourth-place finish.

Odegard won three straight matches after losing in the quarterfinals.

Havre was dominant from the opening bell as the Ponies won 14 first-round matches, all by pin, and had 15 of 17 wrestlers in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinals. Kennelly didn’t have to wrestle in the first round, receiving a

bye at 106.

“I think we wrestled well, and I think we were able to pull away in the title matches,” Parker Filius said. “One of the major things we were able to do was to get bonus points when we could, we talk about that at all of the team meetings before big tournament.”

Havre won a total of 34 matches by fall, an impressive mark. Stokes also earned the Class A Quick Pin award with his four pins totaling just over 13 minutes of wrestling time. The Ponies also won seven matches with a major decision, and one match by technical fall.

“We talk about pins all the time,” coach Filius said. “We talk about it all year long.

The whole object of wrestling is to pin your opponent and, too often, guys want to hang on, and anytime you hang on something bad can happen.

We went lights out, and the kids did a nice job.

“I know all of those pins helped us win,” Tyler Adams said. “But sometimes it’s just about who works harder, and coach Filius has done a great job making sure we all work hard.”

Bonus points and great wrestling by all 17 wrestlers set the Ponies apart from the rest of the field. HHS entered the weekend with the No. 1 ranking and made sure not to let up or let it go. The result was another run of titles.

Havre won four straight from 2007-2010. The Ponies also brought home a trophy from state for the 14th straight season, a remarkable streak in itself. And given what the Ponies showed this weekend in Billings, they are on their way to accomplishing that feat and another long win streak.

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State Wrestling 2014

Brothers, freshmen, four titles, what a night State champion Ponies showcased a little bit of everything on finals night Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com BILLINGS — And then there were four. Four Havre High wrestlers who outlasted all that Class A could throw at them at the state tournament in Billings.

Overall, there were six Blue Pony wrestlers who battled it out for individual state titles at the Rimrock Auto Arena as the Ponies captured their second straight team title Saturday night.

Sophomore Keegan Kennelly (106), freshman Parker Filius (138), freshman Jase Stokes (152), junior Jace Billy (195), senior Tyler Adams (220) and sophomore Travis Adams (220) all competed in the championship round.

In a unique situation, Travis Adams took on older brother Tyler Adams in the finals as the Ponies won four of their six matches on final's night.

Individual title winners included Filius, Stokes, Billy and Tyler Adams.

“They are all great kids, and those were great wins by a couple of freshmen, a junior and a senior,” Havre head coach Scott Filius said.

“But all of the kids wrestled well, we even had some kids win it all last year, return and wrestle better this year, and not win it. I was pleased with our kids.”

The championship round started at 220 pounds, meaning the brother versus brother showdown took center stage.

Tyler Adams wasn’t going to take a defeat from his younger sibling, and controlled the match early on, taking a 10-3 lead after the first two periods with three takedowns, an escape, and a near fall. From there it was just making sure he didn’t get caught off guard before eventually earning the 14-5 decision and finishing the weekend 4-0.

Tyler put together a stretch of three pins to get into the championship match. He first pinned Mikey Denision of Columbia Falls in :53 Friday morning, followed by a pin over Luke Channer of Corvallis in the quarterfinals, and a pin over Hunter Severson of Sidney in the semifinals. Travis finished 3-1, But the loss didn’t matter much to ei-

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Kings of the Corral

Ponies begin the season by beating GFH for the Havre Invite title Havre High crowns five champions, gets 10 grapplers to the finals, places 20 on home mats Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre freshman Jase Stokes, top, drives Columbia Falls' Bryan Schaffer to the mat during the 152-pound Class A state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena. Stokes was one of two Pony freshmen to win Saturday night, and was part of four individual titles for Havre. ther brother as Tyler stressed just how much fun that moment was for both.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High senior Tyler Adams, left, stands up to a shot from younger brother Travis during their 220pound Class A state championsip match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

“This is a good feeling all around,” Tyler Adams said. “I like the fact that it was against my brother because it was a good way to go out. But he is a good wrestler.

And we kind of talked about this match before, and I thought I would probably win. But it was about going out there and having fun, too.

It is nice to win, but it is still about having fun.”

Billy also had a standout match, and made sure he was ready for the challenge when it came time. Unlike the Adams brothers, Billy was the final weight class of the night, and without doing the math, there was no guarantee the Ponies had clinched a team title just yet. But after seeing the HHS freshmen get their wins, Billy thought it might be in the bag.

But just to make sure, Billy knew he needed to get a win against his opponent, Belgrade’s Jaden Bryant.

Billy got two points on a takedown in the first period, and took a 3-0 lead on an escape to start the third.

Bryant answered with a takedown of his own; before an escape gave Billy a 4-2 lead to close the second.

And the match came down to the final 12 seconds. Billy gave up a point for stalling, and quickly realized he couldn’t give up an escape or takedown if he wanted the win in regulation. The grapplers were on their feet in the final seconds and Billy hung on for dear life, both arms wrapped around Bryant’s

waist.

It was a great finish after a thirdplace finish last year.

“This is 100 times different, knowing that I am the best in the Class A and nobody can beat me,” Billy said. “But I knew I had to ride him out for those 12 seconds. I think if that match was one second longer he might have gotten out, but it took everything I had in me to hold on.

“But we did awesome as a team,” Billy added. “And in the finals we really stepped up. I thought the team finish might come down to me, so I really put a lot of pressure on myself. But when I saw our freshmen getting pins, I knew I could take some of that pressure off myself. But I actually felt more relaxed coming into this match than any other. I had a little pressure at first, but I felt great going in.”

Billy made light work of his opponents all weekend long before the tough title match. He pinned Andrew Burgess of Columbia Falls in 1:42, Michael Bumgarner of Hamilton in 3:34, and Monty Jessop of Corvallis in just 58 seconds in the semifinals.

And Filius and Stokes may be freshmen, but they didn’t wrestle like it as they took down a lot of great talent to combine for an 8-0 weekend.

Filius capped off his state run

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See Finals Page 5

If the way a prep wrestling team starts a new season is any indication of how the season will end up, then the Class A Havre Blue Ponies should be very excited.

The Ponies, along with 14 other teams, made their season debut in Havre over the weekend, and as the host team, the Ponies stole the show at the Havre High Gymnasium when the annual Havre Invitational concluded Saturday evening.

The two-day tournament began Friday afternoon and wasn’t over until more than 300 matches were in the books.

Havre finished in first place with 282.5 points. That bettered last season’s performance when the Ponies took second place. The Class AA Great Falls High Bison, the defending state champions at that level, finished in a close second place with 272.5 points, and the Class AA CMR Rustlers finished in third place with 181.

“We got a bunch of good quality matches, and all of the kids competed hard, so I was very pleased,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “I really liked the fact that our kids competed when they were ahead and when they were behind.

Once you get kids to do that, then you can work on your reshot, and your hand control, and all of that stuff. And we will work on that, but I am pleased with the effort.”

The rest of the field was competitive over the two days, but struggled to keep pace with the three powerhouse programs. Cut Bank finished in third place (87), while Browning finished in fifth (80), Butte finished in sixth (70), Libby finished in seventh (55), Glasgow finished in eighth (45), Chinook finished in ninth (33), Lewistown finished in 10th (31), Fort Benton finished in 11th (29.5), both Big Sandy and Chester/J-I finished in 12th (3) and Malta finished last.

The Blue Pony coaching staff was excited to get out of the practice room and into competition, and for the first time out, there isn’t

much to complain about.

On the road to posting more than 282 team points, the Ponies put 10 kids into the finals. They grabbed five individual championships, five second-place finishes, three thirdplace finishes, two fourth-place finishes, and five fifth-place finishes.

Keegan Kennelly (106), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Jace Billy (195) and Tyler Adams (220) all won their finals matches, while Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), and Jake Williams (170) all came close, but landed just short in their finals matches.

Kennelly was able to pin Butte Central’s Bryce Noctor in 2:55, while Brenna pinned Great Fall High’s Tyler Meyer in just one minute of action. Stewart pinned Kenton Evans of Great Falls High in 5:00, while Billy earned a 7-1 decision win over CMR’s Payton Sexe, and Tyler Adams earned a 4-0 decision over Great Falls High’s Eric Weaver. The five title winners were all undefeated on the weekend. The Ponies went head-to-head with Bison six times in the finals, splitting at 3-3.

But the Ponies were able to stay out in front in the team totals with five more individuals in the finals — 20 total compared to the Bison’s 15.

“I would say it was (a good team start),” Tyler Adams said. “I think that is what any team would like to see. Personally, for me, I just wanted to come out and see what I needed to work on, but for the other guys, too, I would say that is the same. The first weekend out we just needed to see where we could improve. I think I need to work on my pace; I wrestled too slow in some matches, and need to come out with more intensity. It is early in the season, but we got off to a good start.”

In the championship round, Munyon lost an 18-0 major decision to CMR’s Deven Altenberg, while Pleninger lost a 10-4 decision to Butte Central’s Clay Stillwagon.

Gruber lost to Great Fall High’s Tommy Mcmillen in a 6-3 decision, while Filius lost a 3-1 decision to GFH’s Austin Shupe, and Williams lost a 7-0 decision to GFH’s Cody Henderson.

Both Gruber and Filius nearly added two more individual titles to the total, but ran into two of the state’s best. Gruber lost to Mcmillen after giving up a last-second re-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Grayson Brenna, right, battles Great Falls High's Tyler Meyer in the 126-pound Havre Invitational championship Saturday at the HHS gymnasium. Brenna won the match, and the Ponies won the team title. versal during Friday’s round robin match, and couldn’t quite get past him Saturday. And in his first-ever high school match, Filius ran into Class AA state champion Shupe, Friday, losing in overtime after giving up a takedown. Filius also competed hard in the chipper, but Shupe escaped the HHS freshman with another narrow decision.

“That is great for us,” Coach Filius said. “Anytime you run into a kid that is going to compete all six minutes then that is what we are after.”

In third-place matches Kody Pribyl (145) won on a pin in 34 seconds, Dustin Odegard (170) won on a 6-2 decision, and Travis Adams (HWT) won on a pin in 1:44.

Jase Stokes (152) lost after being pinned in 2:03, while Skylar Powell (220) lost in an 8-3 decision. But in fifth-place matches the Ponies

went undefeated. Dane Flammond (126) won with a pin in 2:16, Gunnar Aageson (145) won an 8-5 decision, Jared Laux earned a pin in 2:35, and John Chinadle (195) earned a pin in 1:22.

“It felt good to get this good team start,” Kennelly said. “I got rid of some of my butterflies. I did wrestle some over the summer, so I came in feeling alright, but it is good to really start up again. I think we all just came out fired up and ready to go. That is pretty much all you can do in the first weekend, just come out and try your best.”

All of the veteran Blue Ponies did what they were expected to do, but the new and up and comers also stepped up. Freshmen Munyan, Flammond, Parker Filius, Stokes, Powell and Laux all had very good HHS debuts. And sophomores like Kennelly, Pleninger, Pribyl and

Travis Adams all had outstanding showings in their encore appearances.

“We have been taking that class of freshmen and sophomores around for a long time and they are deep," Coach Filius said. “We knew we had talent there, so that isn’t new to us. But our older kids did what we expected and I was pleasantly surprised with some of our young guys, but I expect all of our guys to compete.”

After the two-day, season-opening tournament at the HHS gymnasium, the Ponies will get right back at it this weekend. Thursday in Butte, the Ponies will compete at the Butte Central Mixer. Friday and Saturday, the Ponies will remain in Butte for the always-tough Mining City Duals.

28

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

5

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre grapplers strike gold at the tough Mining City Duals

Finals: Six Ponies marched in Parade of Champions

Blue Ponies take down AA powers GFH and Skyview to win the Mining City title

with a dominating takedown and pin in the second period. It was a state run that began with a pin over Brevlin Thompson of Anaconda, a pin over Colton Gove of Columbia Falls and a 10-0 major decision over Tyler Olsen of Corvallis in the semifinals. But in the 138-pound chipper, Filius turned his 2-1 lead through one into a 3:23 pin over Sidney’s Jordan Stevens.

And in another unique situation, Parker Filius also got to share his triumph with family. Head coach Scott Filius is Parker’s father and has been his coach almost as long as he has been his father. Parker has been wrestling all over the country since the age of five and has found it very comforting to have his father and coach in his corner.

“I have been working for this all year,” Parker said. “But I have been wrestling since I was little, and I have wanted to win a state title since watching matches here growing up. This is pretty cool. And (my dad) treats me just like everybody else, I have to put in the same work everybody else does. But yeah, it is nice to know he is right there supporting me as my coach and as my dad.”

Scott Filius, father and coach,

George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com It is still early, just two weeks into the new season, but the hype surrounding the defending Class A state wrestling champions continues to be proven true.

The Havre High wrestling team has been as impressive as any team in the state the last two weeks. The Central A Blue Ponies were the No. 1 team a week ago at the Havre High Invite, beating out Class AA Great Falls High and CMR. But the Ponies looked even better in their second weekend of action, this time earning the top team finish at the Mining City Duals in Butte.

Many of the state’s top programs were in attendance Friday and Saturday, but the Ponies found little resistance before claiming the title with a 33-31 win over Billings Skyview in the championship dual. In the semifinals, the Ponies also chopped down the Great Falls High Bison 45-31. HHS went 7-0 in duals over the two days, including a 48-27 win over Bozeman, a 68-10 win over Helena Capital, and an 81-0 win over Polson Friday in the pool portion of the prestigious

tourney. Saturday, the Ponies added a 69-12 win over Helena High and a 58-15 win over Columbia Falls.

Last year, the Ponies finished as the No. 2 team in their first two weeks of action, but still proved to be the No. 1 team in the Class A. “Our kids wrestled well,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “One of the things we had going for was that we didn’t have any holes in our lineup.

And anytime we got beat, those kids really had to work against our guys to get it done. It was a fun weekend.”

The championship dual was the biggest test for the Ponies.

Billings Skyview won seven matches, including a forfeit win at 170 pounds, but the Ponies gained the advantage with eight individual wins, including a Travis Adams forfeit win at 285 pounds and a Grayson Brenna win by forfeit at 120 pounds. Keegan Kennelly (106)

defeated Danny Maciel 11-5, Dylan Stewart (126) defeated Jake Burkhalter 5-2, Thomas Gruber (132) defeated Brenton Buerkley 5-2, Parker Filius (138) defeated Jace Holman 3-2, Kody Pribyl (145) pinned Aaron Gordon in 4:52, and Jace Billy (195) defeated Mathew Welch 12-6.

In the remaining six losses by the Pony grapplers, only two came at the hands of a fall. Tate Munyon (98) was pinned in 39 seconds, and Dustin Odegard (182) was pinned in 1:16. Logan Pleninger (113) lost 1-0, Jase Stokes (152) lost 9-2, Jayson Kohler (160) lost 123, and Tyler Adams (220) lost 4-3.

It was a close win by the Ponies, but the tough matchups are what are going to make the Ponies better.

“The best thing about this weekend was we saw the best of the Class AA and Class A have to offer,” Filius said. “And if you can keep winning, you run into those top teams

like Great Falls High and Billings Skyview.

And those matches we got, those matches are good building blocks for our kids. Those guys wrestled us all the way through the whistle, and they really made us better all the way around.”

Kennelly, Brenna, Gruber and Pribyl all went undefeated on the weekend, while Billy, Tyler Adams, Travis Adams, Parker Filius and Williams suffered just one loss each. It was a dominating outing by the Ponies both days, and from top to bottom, the entire lineup wrestled very well.

“From where we started the weekend, to where we finished the weekend, we are miles ahead,” coach Filius said. “Each duel that got tougher, our kids had to dig a little deeper and find a way to respond, and they did. I was just really pleased with the kids, especially the younger ones. Some of our best stuff came in matches where we were overmatched and kids were better than us.

You see other teams when that happens, their kids roll over and get pinned, but our guys competed all the way through and weren’t getting pinned. We gave up a decision, but not a major decision, a fall, or a tech fall, and that made a big difference.”

The Ponies will look to keep the momentum rolling Tuesday night when they host Great Falls High for a dual at 5 p.m. at the Havre High Gymnasium in Havre. Lewistown was scheduled to make the trip as well, but decided not to attend.

www.havredailynews.com

■ From Page 4 tries to separate the feelings while competing, but that is easier said than done.

“It is a little different, I work hard to not make it different, but it is,” he said. “You can’t help but to have that tighter relationship, but more than anything I might have just had a little higher blood pressure during the match. But I was confident, and I felt good for Parker.”

Stokes followed suit with a dominating finish of his own.

After earning three straight pins to get to the title match, Stokes finished his first state tournament with a pin over Bryan Schaffer of Columbia Falls in 4:50. Stokes also pinned Sean Cooney of Butte Central, John Preller of Laurel and Mason Mavrinac of Anaconda. Stokes’ pin over Schaffer came with just 10 seconds left in the match. He didn’t need the pin to win as he had a commanding 10-0 lead, but the fall did help Stokes earn the quick pin award for the Class A. “This is awesome,” Stokes said following his win. “I like that I helped my team out too, this is a great experience. I really worked hard in the room with some good partners. Parker (Filius) is my partner most of the time so that

was good and that really helped me get better as the season went on.”

Both Filius and Stokes now have the opportunity to become four-time state champions for the Ponies.

Havre has had plenty of standout freshmen in the past, but have not had that opportunity in some time.

“I am just taking it one year at a time,” Filius said. “Right now I am just focused on winning another one next year, so right now the goal isn’t four titles, it’s two.

“I have thought about it a little bit,” Stokes added, “But it is a long ways away, so I still have to work hard for that. But it is nice to know that it is at least possible in the future.”

Kennelly and Travis Adams didn’t get that individual title they were hoping for, but they still had great weekends. It was especially heartbreaking for Kennelly who now has back-to-back No. 2 finishes.

Kennelly took an early 2-0 lead, but fell behind 3-2 after giving up an escape and takedown near the end of the first period. The score was tied at 3-3 when Kennelly started the second with an escape, but Kohltin Starkel proved to be as tough as they come, grabbing another take down before giving up an escape at the end of the second.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Parker Filius, top, rides Sidney's Jordan Stevens during their 138-pound Class A state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Filius pinned Stevens for the state title, and also likely clinched the Ponies' win over the Eagles in the team title race.

Kennelly trailed just 5-4 heading into the final period, but another takedown by Starkel with just 34 seconds left stretched the deficit to 8-5, the eventual final decision

score.

It was tough for Kennelly, but overall, it was another great weekend for the Blue Pony wrestling team.

2014 Class A State Wrestling Results Class A Final team scores Havre 294.5, Sidney 268.5, Columbia Falls 172, Belgrade 155, Hardin 140, Corvallis 109.5, Frenchtown 96, Anaconda 88, Dillon 86.5, Polson 73, Hamilton 63, Libby 61, Glendive 59, Lewistown 56.5, Laurel 41.5, Butte Central 30, Billings Central 29, Browning 26.5, Whitefish 19, Miles City 13, Stevensville 7, Livingston 6.

Finals 98 — Sawyer Degen (BEL) pinned Eric LaFontaine (HAR), 1:38; 106 — Kohltin Starkel (DIL) dec. Keegan Kennelly (HAV), 8-5; 113 — Trace Jones (SID) pinned Clay Stillwagon (BUC), 1:51; 120 — Gresh Jones (SID) major dec. Chase Conner (COR), 9-0; 126 — Shonn Roberts (CFS) dec.

Ethan Graves (SID), 8-5; 132 — Jarrett Degen (BEL) dec. Dillon Tenant (GLE), 6-3; 138 — Parker Filius (HAV) pinned Jordan Stevens (SID), 3:23; 145 — Bryan Armstrong (ANA) dec. Ryan Chatterton (SID), 4-0; 152 — Jase Stokes (HAV) pinned Bryan Schaffer (CFS), 4:50; 160 — Cody Johnson (SID) major dec. Keevan Pickle (BEL), 5:00; 170 — Garret Chapel (LIB), dec. Cody Christian (SID), 10-5; 182 — Ethan Blythe (LEW) dec. Dace Fisher (SID), 4-1; 195 — Jace Billy (HAV) dec. Jaden Bryant (BEL), 4-3; 220 — Tyler Adams (HAV) dec. Travis Adams (HAV), 14-5; Hwt — Donovan Hucke (DIL) major dec. Bryce Wigert (ANA), 9-1.

Third place 98 — Travis Kinn (GLE) pinned Caleb Bagnell (FTN), :52; 106 — Wyatt VanBuren (SID) pinned Winfield West (CFS), 1:34; 113 — Logan Pleninger (HAV) dec. Mason Fetters (CFS), 6-0; 120 — Grayson Brenna (HAV), major dec. Clayton Carter (LAU), 13-0; 126 — Hunter Grover (LEW) major dec. Car-

los Quinones (POL), 10-2; 132 — Thomas Gruber (HAV) major dec. Layne Schaefer (SID), 8-0; 138 — Zach Crace (LIB) pinned Lyle Degen (BEL), :36; 145 — Cody Lemons (FTN) pinned Kody Pribyl (HAV), :36; 152 — Shawn Purcell (HAR) dec. Mason Mavrinac (ANA), 12-5; 160 — Cody Walters (CFS) pinned Justin Hinson (HAM), 5-4; 170 — Casey Fredericks (HAR) dec. Tel Motichka (POL), 3-1; 182 — Raven Cunningham (BEL) dec. Dustin Odegard (HAV), 4-0; 195 — Michael Bumgarner (HAM) pinned Monty Jessop (COR), 2:53; 220 — Rand Pritzkau (FTN) pinned Bryce Blumenshein (BEL), 1:22; Hwt — Spencer Ross (CFS) pinned Christian Gomez (SID), 2:31.

Fifth place 98 — Abi Gontarek (LAU) dec. Manny Guzman (CFS), 6-4; 106 — Thunder Morales (POL) def.

Cody Warner (FTN), forfeit; 113 — Jaron Morgan (POL) dec. Casey Christian (SID), 7-3; 120 — Zach Wall (CEN) def. Kwin Stoddard (DIL), DQ, 2:31; 126 — Dylan Stewart (HAV) dec. Josh Venema (COR), 1-0; 132 — Skyler Higareda (LIB) dec.

Haze Bell (CFS), 3-0; 138 — Tylor Olsen (COR) major dec. Bryant Dorn (HAR), 12-3; 145 — Zayne Brunz (CFS) dec. Zeus Rutherford (BRW), 3-0; 152 — Riley Jessop (COR) dec. John Preller (LAU), 6-4; 160 — Tanner Delp (HAR) def. Wyatt Jessop (COR), forfeit; 170 — Jake Williams (HAV) major dec. Doug Womack (FTN), 9-0; 182 — Connor Murdock (HAR) pinned Tele Seemann (POL), 2:25; 195 — Parker Tezak (DIL) dec. William Ollinger (BRW), 7-4; 220 — Hunter Severson (SID) pinned Isaiah Williams (POL), 2:13; Hwt — Robert Becker (HAR) dec. Cord Murray (MCY), 6-4.

Havre High Individual Results

106 – Keegan Kennelly (2nd Place)

1st rd – Bye; Quarterfinals – pinned Winfield West, CFL, 1:49; Semifinals – pinned Wyatt Van Buren, SID, 1:27; Final – lost dec. Kohltin Starkel, DIL, 8-5.

HAM, 15-2; Consolation Semi – maj. dec. Skylar Higareda, LIB, 8-0; Consolation Final – maj. dec.

Layne Schaefer, SID, 8-0.

113 – Logan Pleninger (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Brevlin Thompson, ANA, 1:03; Quarterfinals – pinned Colton Gove, CFL, 3:15; Semifinals – maj. dec. Tyler Olson, COR, 15-2; Final – pinned Jordan Stevens, SID, 3:23.

1st rd – pinned Jordan Shovar, LAU, :32; Quarterfinals – dec. Tre Smollack, ANA, 11-6; Semifinals – lost dec. Trace Jones, SID, 7-1; Consolation Semi – dec. Jaron Morgan, Pol, 5-2; Consolation Final – dec. Mason Fetters, CFL, 6-0.

120 – Grayson Brenna (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Brandon Blumhagen, MC, :32; Quarterfinals – pinned Jaben Wenzel, POL, :44; Semifinals – lost dec. Gresh Jones, SID, 8-6; Consolation Semi – dec. Zach Wall, CEN, 9-8; Consolation Final – maj. dec. Clayton Carter, LAU, 13-0.

126 – Dylan Stewart (5th Place)

1st rd – pinned Connor Ludwig, LAU, 1:05; Quarterfinals – pinned by Shonn Roberts, CFL, :57; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Anthony James, GLE, :18; Consolation 3rd rd – pinned Tyler Ishler, FTN, 2:15; Consolation Semi – lost dec. Hunter Grover, LEW, 8-1; Fifth/Sitxth – dec. Josh Venema, COR, 1-0.

126 – Dane Flammond

1st rd – lost dec. Chandler Metcalf, HAR, 7-1; 1ts rd Consolation – dec. Skylark Knutson, POL, 6-3; 2nd rd Consolation – lost dec. Colten Cox, HAM, 5-4.

132 – Thomas Gruber (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Donivan Williams, COR, 1:36; Quarterfinals – lost dec. Dillon Tennant, GLE, 2-1; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned Manny Rivera, HAM, 2:15; 3rd rd Consolation – maj. dec. Robert Few,

138 – Parker Filius (State Champion)

138 – Gunnar Aageson

1st rd – lost dec. Zach Hart, BUC, 3-0; 1st rd Consolation – pinned Brett McBurney, LAU, 1:38; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned by Bryant Dorn, HAR, 3:15.

145 – Kody Pribyl (4th Place)

1st rd – pinned Austin Olson, DIL, 1:04; Quarterfinals – tech. fall Jon Lemon, HAR, 15-0; Semifinals – lost dec. Bryan Armstrong, ANA, 7-4; Consolation Semi – dec. Zues Rutherford, BRO, 3-2; Consolation Final – pinned by Cody Lemons, FTN, :36.

152 – Jase Stokes (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Sean Cooney, BUC, 1:57; Quarterfinals – pinned John Preller, LAU, 4:41; Semifinals – pinned Mason Mavrinac, ANA, 1:07; Final – pinned Bryan Schaffer, CFL, 4:50.

160 – Jared Laux

1st rd – pinned Braden Lovelass, STV, 1:46; Quarterfinals – pinned by Cody Johnson, SID, 2:28; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned J.J. Zenahilk, ANA< 1:53; 3rd rd Consolation – lost dec. Cody Walter, CFL, 9-0

170 – Jake Williams (5th Place)

1st rd – pinned Jason Williams, CFL, 3:53; Quar-

terfinals – pinned Justin Stewart, HAR, 1:16; Semifinals – lost dec. Garrett Chapel, LIB, 2-1; Consolation Semi – lost dec. Tel Motichka, POL, 3-1; Fifth/ Sitxh – maj. dec. Doug Womak, FTN, 9-0.

182 – Dustin Odegard (4th Place)

1st rd – pinned Ike Schweikert, CFL, 1:38; Quarterfinals – lost dec. Dace Fisher, SID, 8-3; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned Kyle Howe, LAU, 1:26; 3rd rd Consolation – dec. Phil Vial, DIL, 10-4; Consolation Semi – dec. Connor Murdock, HAR, 3-1; Consolation Final – lost dec. Raven Cunningham, BEL, 4-0.

195 – Jace Billy (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Andrew Burgess, CFL, 1:42; Quarterfinals – pinned Michael Bumgarner, HAM, 3:34; Semifinals – pinned Monty Jessop, COR, :58; Final – dec. Jaden Bryant, BEL, 4-3.

195 – John Chinadle

1st rd – pinned Mike Corrigan, POL, 2:33; Quarterfinals – pinned by Monty Jessop, COR, 4:48; 2nd rd Consolation – maj. dec. Braden Watson, CEN, 1:26; 3rd rd Consolation – pinned by Michael Bumgarner, HAM, :38

220 – Tyler Adams (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Mikey Denison, CFL, :53; Quaterfinals – pinned Luke Channer, COR, 4:44; Semifinals – pinned Hunter Severson, SID, 1:05; Final – dec.

Travis Adams, HAV, 14-5.

220 – Travis Adams (2nd Place)

1st rd – pinned Kordale Behner, STV, 1:40; Quaterfinals – pinned Zach Brown, HAM, 3:09; Semifinals – pinned Rand Prtizkau, FTN, :43; Final – lost dec.

Tyler Adams, HAV, 14-5.

6

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Blue Ponies, girls, small schools, whatever it is, state is never dull Kick the Beat...

Daniel Horton Sports Writer If you have seen one state wrestling tournament at the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena, you have not seen them all, not even close.

I have had the privilege of covering the all-class tournament for several years now, and every year the story lines which come away from the 12 mats are some of the best in prep sports in all of Montana.

The 2014 state tournament was no exception, as some of the hardestworking athletes in the state accomplished things they will never forget.

And it wasn’t just the Havre High squad writing those memories. I witnessed amazing things coming from many different classes, athletes and teams. I know Huntley Project’s Koni Dole received a lot of press coverage over the last couple of years, losing his leg to a horrific football injury, but choosing to return to the gridiron, but I got to see him wrestle in person, and it was great to see.

Dole took on the B-C competition at 195 pounds and pulled off an emotional third-place finish and 3-1 record. I only got to see one of Dole’s matches, but it was the best one. In the consolation final, Dole pinned Antonio Lopez of Malta in 2:37, and the Metra erupted with chants, cheers and clapping, as a teary-eyed Dole went from having his arm held up in victory, to wrapping his arms around coaches and family.

I think that is one of the bravest high school athletes I have ever seen in competition, and that is the kind of thing that keeps fans, wrestlers, referees and volunteers coming back year after year.

Remember the name Abi Gontarek as well ... she is another prep athlete that had everybody in Billings talking.

I have seen a female wrestler take on the guys on the mat, but I have never seen this amount of success on such a big stage. Gontarek wrestled at 98 pounds and finished in fifth place. I didn’t see her 10-8 decision win to start the weekend, or her 7-4 decision two matches later, but I did see Gontarek pull off a great reversal with time literally running out to take out Manny Guzman of Columbia Falls with a 6-4 fifth-place win.

By Gontarek’s reaction, you

would have thought she was just crowned the state champion. By the way the crowd reacted, it was clear there were plenty of people who took notice when she took the mat Saturday.

It’s also nice to see a little local history being made at the state level.

Big programs like the Class AA Great Falls Bison got a lot of attention over the weekend, and they deserved it. I mean, they did send more than 20 kids to state and 17 of them earned medals during their second consecutive team title. Six earned individual titles as well, as the Bison’s 353.5 points almost seemed unfair to the rest of the AA field.

But the Bison are used to the spotlight, and I was really impressed with the small-town Harlem Wildcats from right here on the Hi-Line.

I have seen some great individuals come through the Wildcat program.

They continue to take steps forward and find a way to compete with the bigger schools It was great for me to see Harlem make some history, pushing four individuals into the championship round for the first time.

Yes, Havre High is pretty good at making state memorable as well.

It is one thing to see a senior finally accomplish a long-awaited No.

1 finish, but it is another thing entirely to see a freshman storm onto the scene and force his dominance on the rest of the state. Tyler Adams was able to get his title at 220 pounds, over his younger brother, Travis Adams, and that is a great story in itself, but I want to know what gives a freshman grappler the right to come in and outperform the rest of the field in their first season out?

Whatever it was driving freshmen this weekend, it was working and it was special.

Parker Filius (138) and Jase Stokes (152) did that for the Ponies.

I was expecting them to erupt with emotion after winning their respective titles — maybe that was the photojournalist in me looking for a great picture opportunity.

But the athlete in them trumped my hopes as they were calm, cool and collected before and after every match. They were fun to watch take in the whole state experience, and if I didn’t know they were just freshmen, I wouldn’t have guessed it by their performances on the mat.

I don’t think there is such a thing as a dull moment when it comes to state wrestling. One athlete might be hunting their first-ever title, while another may be capping off a great prep career before moving on to the college ranks.

27

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com With almost no break, the Havre High wrestling team continues full steam ahead.

After two championships to start the season, the Central A Blue Ponies await another tough dual tonight. For the third time already this season, the Ponies will see the Class AA Great Falls High Bison in action. Tonight at 5, the Ponies and Bison will dual at the Havre High gymnasium.

Havre saw the Bison at the

Either way, if you can find the stories in between the bigger stories, state weekend turns into more than just one wrestler versus another wrestler.

In other words, the big picture is what makes this weekend so great.

www.havredailynews.com

Busy Blue Ponies square off with Bison tonight Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre's Jace Billy, front, goes for an escape during his Class A 195-pound state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Invite two weeks ago, and defeated the Bison over the weekend at the Mining City Duals. Tonight will be slightly lower key than the Mining City Duals, but it is still a good opportunity for the Ponies to get quality matches this early in the new season and, of course, it’s a matchup of two of Montana’s premier wrestling programs.

Both squads are very familiar with each other. The Bison have been struggling with some injuries but are expected to bring in at least what they wrestled with this past weekend in Butte. The Ponies are preparing for Tyler Schilling (113),

Tyler Meyer (120), Kenton Evans (126), Tommy McMillen (132), Austin Shupe (138), Gage Bentley (145), Kessler Leonard (152), Walker Ferda (160), Cody Henderson (170), Randy Keesler (182), Mateo Amado-Gattaneo (195), Eric Weaver (220) and Roberto Smith (285).

It should be another tough matchup for the Ponies individually and as a team, but seniors Thomas Gruber, Jayson Kohler, Jake Williams, Dustin Odegard and Tyler Williams will also be honored as the Ponies are on the road the rest of the winter.

And the expected Havre lineup

will be Tate Munyon (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

“We have seen each other a lot already,” Filius said. “And I guess instead of going after our own guys in practice, we will bang heads with Great Falls High one more time.

They have kids out of the lineup,

and we haven’t seen them at full strength yet, but once they get everybody back they will be a handful for anybody. But it is always fun to face them because they are so sound.”

Lewistown was scheduled to make the trip tonight as well, but backed out. The defending Class A state champion Ponies and defending Class AA state champion Bison are scheduled to take the mat at 5 at the HHS gymnasium. Havre will then travel to Great Falls for Friday and Saturday’s CMR Holiday Classic before taking Christmas week off.

Healthy Bison get their revenge Great Falls High hands Havre its first dual loss of the season Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com A dominating start to the season had the Havre High wrestling team rolling through the schedule in the first two weeks of action. But the Class AA Great Falls High Bison gave the Blue Ponies their first road block of the year.

With the Central A Ponies and Bison crossing paths multiple times already this season, both programs are very familiar with the other.

And with every meeting, and with every match, it has almost been a tossup for who is going to come out on top. Saturday, the Ponies defeated the Bison in the semifinals of the Mining City Duals, but Tuesday night at the Havre High gymnasium, the Bison defeated the Ponies 36-20.

“They wrestled harder than we did,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “They turned around some matches, and our kids didn’t want to perform to their ability.

They out-wrestled us in our own gym, and we both had an awful long weekend, so there is really no reason for us not showing up.”

Both teams were open at 106 pounds, but Havre started off strong with a Tate Munyan forfeit win at 98 pounds, followed by wins at 113 and 120 pounds. Logan Pleninger (113) earned a 10-2 major decision over Bailey Berthelson and Grayson Brenna (120) earned a 9-6 decision over defending AA state champion Jarren Komac. Dylan Stewart (126)

was pinned in 4:20, but Thomas Gruber had a standout senior night with a hard fought 8-6 win over Thomas McMillen at 132 pounds.

Gruber was 2-2 against McMillen so far this season, but one-upped the standout sophomore with a late escape in the second period, and a reversal to start the third. Gruber led 7-4 and fended off McMillen’s late rush to grab the 8-6 decision.

“It is always great to get some revenge on a guy that is a good opponent,” Gruber said. “You get that nervous feeling because it has gone both ways in the past, but I think the motivation of senior night and having the home crowd really helped me a lot. It is a great feeling.”

But the heart of the Ponies’ lineup struggled on Tuesday night.

HHS led 16-6 after Gruber’s win, but GFH reeled off six consecutive wins to lead the dual 30-16. The Bison also won eight of the last nine matches to keep the Ponies from coming back At 195 pounds Jace Billy kept the Ponies’ hopes alive late in the dual.

The Ponies trailed 30-16, but Billy could give the Ponies a shot at a team win with a major decision, technical fall, or fall. Billy had Mateo Amado-Cattaneo on the ropes two different times with a near fall, but couldn’t quite earn the pin. Instead he used three take downs and two late points due to stalling to earn the 16-2 major decision, narrowing the deficit to 30-20.

Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285) battled, but dropped their matches. Tyler Adams lost 6-4 in overtime after leading 4-2 with four seconds to wrestle, and Travis Adams lost 7-5.

Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jake Williams (170) and Dustin Odegard (182) all suffered losses for

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre's Jace Billy holds down Great Falls' Mateo Amado-Cattaneo during a dual meet Tuesday night at the HHS gymnasium. Billy won the match by major decision, but the Blue Ponies lost to the Bison, 36-20. the Ponies in the middle of the dual, all against tough opponents.

HHS also gave up a forfeit loss at 160-pounds.

The Blue Ponies wrestled well for the most part, but didn’t show they wanted it more than the Bison according to coach Filius. And that needs to be fixed moving forward, not quite the same fix as if it were due to technical mistakes or due to poor execution.

“Crisis of heart is the hardest thing to fix on a team,” Filius said.

“It’s not technique, so it is a tough fix. I think all the guys wrestled hard, but some of them wrestled hard and not smart, and some of them wrestled not hard enough. But we got exposed, and we wouldn’t have known we needed to work on it if it hadn’t been exposed, that is why we wrestle these duals.”

Havre gets a couple days of practice before heading to the CMR Holiday Classic in Great Falls Friday and Saturday.

Great Falls High 36, Havre 20

98 – Tate Munyan, HHS won by forfeit; 106 – open; 113 – Logan Pleninger, HHS maj. dec. Bailey Berthelson 10-2; 120 – Grayson Brenna, HHS dec. Jarren Komac 9-6; 126 – Kenton Evans, GFH pinned Dylan Stewart 4:20; 132 – Thomas Gruber, HHS dec.

Thomas McMillen 8-6; 138 – Austin Shupe, GFH dec. Parker Filius 5-2; 145 – Gage Bentley, GFH maj. dec. Kody Pribyl 12-4; 152 – Kessler Leonard, GFH maj. dec. Jase Stokes 14-6; 160 – Walker Ferda, GFH won by forfeit; 170 – Cody Henderson, GFH dec. Jake Williams 8-5; 182 – Randy Keesler, GFH maj. dec. Dustin Odegard 15-6; 195 – Jace Billy, HHS maj. dec. Mateo Amado-Cattaneo 16-2; 220 – Eric Weaver, GFH dec. Tyler Adams 6-4; 285 – Roberto Smith, GFH dec. Travis Adams 7-5.

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7

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Blue Ponies go back to work at CMR Classic Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com The holiday break is just around the corner for Havre High, but first, the Havre wrestling team must take on the 36th annual CMR Holiday Classic.

The annual tournament is undoubtedly one of the state’s toughest, bringing in standout programs and individuals from all over the state. And the Central A Blue Ponies will look to make their mark on the two-day event as they attempt to one-up last year’s second-place finish. The No. 1-ranked Ponies will be in Great Falls Friday and Saturday for their last source of competition until January.

Last year, the Ponies were the No. 2 team with 205 points, finishing behind Great Falls High with 243 at the CMR tourney.

And Havre is coming off of a disappointing dual loss to Class AA Great Falls High Tuesday night at the Havre High gymnasium.

But looking to quickly move on, the Ponies are prepared for another strong showing this weekend.

“We are looking forward to wrestling this weekend,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We are looking forward to going to a tournament where we can get some individual stuff done.”

Last weekend, the Ponies emerged as the No. 1 team at the Mining City Duals in Butte.

That is the goal this weekend in Great Falls, where the Ponies should have several indi-

viduals shine. Last year HHS had eight grapplers earn matches in the semifinals, six in the finals, and had one individual champion, Grayson Brenna at 105 pounds. The Havre lineup has been strong to this point, and could very well top last years’ impressive finish against the field of talent from Great Falls High, CMR, Bozeman, Forsyth, Belgrade, Kalispell Glacier, Helena High, Choteau, Ronan, Missoula Big Sky, Laurel, Kalispell Flathead and many more. This weekend’s field will also include the Harlem Wildcats, who will make some noise individually, as well as Chinook and Chester/J-I. During the Tuesday night dual against the Bison, it was the first time the Ponies weren’t at full strength. They had some holes at 106 and 160 pounds. If the Ponies can get back to full strength, the lineup should do well in Great Falls. The expected Havre varsity lineup will be Tate Munyon (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

“Early in the season I like the team tournaments because everybody advances and everybody gets matches,” coach Filius said.

“But we are ready for an individual tournament. Even the Havre Invite is like a team tournament because of the way we run things,

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Two Brothers, One Medal

Havre High's Tyler and Travis Adams compete for a 220-pound title Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Parker Filius, left, battles Great Falls High's Austin Schupe during a dual Tuesday night in Havre. Filius and Shupe could meet again at this weekend's CMR Holiday Classic in Great Falls, where the Ponies and Bison will be favored. so we are ready for this weekend.”

The Ponies will be in Great Falls Friday

and Saturday for the CMR Holiday Classic which will be held at the CMR Fieldhouse.

Once a Havre High wrestler reaches the state tournament, he finds himself facing an individual from another area of the state — most of the time. Typically, it is an opponent outside the division for the Central A Blue Pony grappler.

Most times, Havre grapplers have to get through Sidney, Corvallis, Laurel and the rest of the Class A to reach glory.

Sometimes, the two going head to head for state supremacy have never even crossed paths in the past, but on some occasions the two may be extremely familiar with one another.

Take senior Tyler Adams and sophomore Travis Adams for example, two of the Blue Ponies who will be wrestling this weekend at the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings in the Class A state meet.

The HHS brothers have had their share of battles in the practice room and even carpool to the Havre wrestling room after school.

The Adams brothers don’t often face off during the season, as Travis wrestles up. Travis wrestled as the HHS heavyweight this season, but they will compete together and against each other as they both chase an individual state title.

Last year, Tyler and Travis both wrestled at 215 pounds at the state

tournament. Tyler made the championship match and finished No. 2 for the Ponies. Tyler also wrestled at 215 pounds two years ago when he took fifth. Travis didn’t have quite as much success as his older brother did last year, finishing the state weekend with sixth place, but this weekend both Tyler and Travis will wrestle at 220 pounds, and they are both looking to win the same state championship.

It’s a unique situation, to say the least.

It is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two brothers, two years apart, to face off in the state championship match.

“It’s pretty exciting and makes me proud that we will both be there,” Tyler said. “On one end, it kind of sucks because Travis is my little brother, but on the other hand I am still proud of him that he has this chance. But he has all the chance in the world to beat everybody in our weight class, but me.”

Tyler made the bold statement with a smile on his face and laugh under his breath. But Travis brushed off his brother’s statement and did what any smart little brother would do in his situation, complimented his older brother, not giving Tyler any extra incentive.

“I think that he is a great wrestler,” Travis said. “He is the best in the state at 220 pounds in the Class A. I have been wrestling with him for years now, since we were young.

I have learned the same things he has learned, just right after him, and I think we have helped each other grow over the years.”

Every day in practice means Tyler and Travis go head to head. But they don’t have the longest resume when it comes to meeting on the mat outside the practice room.

Technically, the two are 1-1 against each other. Tyler defeated Travis in their first meeting last season with a win in the Central A semifinals. This year, Travis got his revenge, at least on paper, when he got the default win over Tyler in the Central A finals, leveling the playing field just before they hopefully cross paths in the Class A state championship match.

While both have proved they are talented Blue Ponies, Tyler may have the edge because of the extra experience.

“That would be my explanation for it, experience,” Tyler said. “Travis is good. But it works out well because when we face each other in practice we expose each other to what we need to work at. Some of the time, what I am not good at, Travis is good at, and what Travis isn’t good at, I may be good at. It is a give and take and it is good for us, so I think this could be an interesting finals match.”

But when asked if he would let his little brother stand in the way of getting an individual title after a second-place finish a year ago, Tyler’s statement was short and to the point.

“I will not let him win,” Tyler Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High sophomore Travis Adams, left, wrestles a Browning heavyweight at the 2013 Havre Invitational back in December.

Adams placed sixth at the state meet a year ago in the heavyweight division and was solid throughout the season for the Blue Ponies, but he has since dropped down to the 220-pound weight class and will compete against older brother Tyler for the coveted state championship this weekend in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High senior Tyler Adams, top, is the No. 1 220-pounder in Class A and a heavy favorite to win the Class A state championship this weekend in Billings. However, Adams might have to go through younger brother Travis to get there, and he says that's just fine with him. said.

But a win by Travis would mean a win for little brothers everywhere.

“If I win, that would probably be one of the biggest moments of my life,” Travis said. “I will be honest, in a way I hope Tyler can win because it is his senior year, and I have two years left, but I definitely won’t be making it easy on him.”

Tyler also went on to explain how this match could be very entertaining, or could be somewhat boring to fans. The two know each other’s style so well, it may be a battle just to earn a point. As much as both would love to come out and dominate in the state title match, if these two brothers take down the rest of the field to meet there, then it might be a chess match for the coveted top spot.

“I just have to wrestle my best, wrestle like I was taught and how I have trained. That is what I expect out of him, too,” Tyler said. “But it will be a good match for us either way, exciting or not. For example, I can tell when he is going to do something like an arm drag, and he can tell when I am going to take a shot, we are used to each other. But I also think that could make it more interesting.”

In order to wrestle for the 220-pound state championship, the Adams brothers each have to win three times, including twice today in the opening rounds of the Class A state tournament in Billings. But if they both do succeed in getting to the finals, it will be a great situation for Havre, and an interesting and intense one for two brothers, who are both big, and both good.

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Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton The Havre High wrestling team poses on the podium Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings after capturing the 2014 Class A state championship. The Blue Ponies scored a record 294.5 points and held off Sidney for their second straight state championship and ninth under head coach Scott Filius. Below left: Havre senior Thomas Gruber lifts Sidney's Layne Schaefer during their 132-pound consolation final. Gruber won and finished third. Below middle: Keegan Kennelly, who finished second. Bottom right: Jake Williams, who finished fifth.

Havre High wins its ninth Class A state title Final Tally: Havre 294.5, Sidney 268.5 State Champs: 4, Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220).

State Placers: 13

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Pony matmen can't quite catch the Bison Havre crowns three champs, finishes a close second to GFH at prestigious CMR Holiday Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Entering the holiday break, there probably won’t be too many teams hotter than the Havre High wrestling team has gotten just three weeks into the season.

The Central A Blue Ponies have been dominant in nearly every outing this season, and the trend continued over the weekend in Great Falls. The Ponies were one of several teams to compete in the annual CMR Holiday Classic, one of the toughest outings on the HHS schedule year in and year out.

For the second straight year, the Ponies finished as the second-place team, this year scoring 230 team points, finishing behind only the Class AA Great Falls High Bison. The Bison scored 272 points and proved they are still the team to beat in the Class AA ranks. Bozeman was a distant third with 181 points.

“We did well, and I was pleased with the kids,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But Great Falls High is just a little bit deeper than we are. They dropped their kids down and got all of their kids in the lineup and are back at full strength. They look pretty good.”

But the Ponies looked good as well. Through the first couple of rounds Friday, the Ponies wrestled 21 matches and dropped just three of those.

Those three losses came in the second round and gave the Ponies 125 points through the first day. Great Falls led after day one with 147 points.

As the weekend continued, the Blue Ponies pushed a great group of individuals deep into the tournament.

Nine total Pony grapplers placed in the top six this weekend and wrestled very well in doing so.

Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Filius (138) and Ty-

ler Adams (220) all won their title matchups, while Thomas Gruber (132) made the championship but finished in second place.

Kennelly, who has now won back-to-back CMR titles, earned a 5-4 decision over Missoula Big Sky’s Jon Conklin, while Tyler Adams pinned Seth Adams of Harlem in 4:08. Filius earned a 6-3 decision over J.J. Werdal of Choteau in the chipper, but first took down Austin Shupe of GFH 7-3 in the semifinals.

Shupe previously defeated Filius four times this season, his only losses as a freshman.

The win for Filius in the semifinals was a big stepping stone in his young career.

“The big thing isn’t the result as much as if you get beat once,” coach Filius said.

“You get beat once, you get beat a third time and sometimes you lose the ability to get out there and compete.

Just the fact that you have your nose in it, you stick in there long enough, and eventually something good is bound to happen. That was a fun one for him.”

Grayson Brenna (120), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285) also finished in third place. Brenna took down Chinook’s Tate Neideregger 5-2, Billy took down Butte’s Lee Cannon 3-1, and Travis Adams took down Dillon’s Donovan Hucke 5-2 in the third-place round.

Other placers included Dylan Stewart (126) and Jake Williams (170). Stewart and Williams battled their way into the fifth-place round. Stewart got a 6-3 decision over Lane Torgerson of Colstrip while Williams finished with a 7-5 loss to Tanner Stupack of Glacier.

Havre is still a little banged up and remained open at 160 pounds. But at 98 pounds, Tate Munyan had a solid outing, but ended the weekend with a loss in the consolation’s fourth round.

Dustin Odegard (182) also lost out in the fourth round of the consolation bracket, while Logan Pleninger (113), Kody Pribyl (145) and Jase Stokes (152) had a decent weekend. Both Pleninger and Pribyl made the consolation fifth round before losing out, while Stokes lost out in the consolation second round.

"In order to rack up 200 points, you have to place a pile of kids,” Filius said. “We had

nine kids place, and we had three others right on the cusp of placing. We went seven of nine in those placing rounds, so the kids really ended on a good note. We found our kids are going to compete very hard against everybody, the highest caliber of kids. I was very pleased with the performance of all of our guys, they really competed hard.

“Nobody had a cakewalk,” Filius added, “and everybody had quality matches. Tyler Adams and Travis Adams wrestled as well as they have all year and had phenomenal weekends, and Parker Filius and Thomas Gruber were both at the top of their game as well. Jace Billy is also still improving, and I am very pleased with our little guys from Greyson Brenna on down. They did very, very well, and I was very pleased with the kids this weekend.”

The Ponies are off until Jan. 3-4 when they compete at the Bozeman Invitational.

CMR Holiday Classic Team Scores 1. Great Falls 272.5; 2. Havre 230.5; 3. Bozeman 181.5; 4. Missoula Big Sky 151.5; 5. Forsyth 151; 6. Choteau 141; 7. Colstrip 115; 8.

Belgrade 114; 9. Helena Capital 113; 10. CMR 104; 11. Harlem 100.5; 12. Anaconda 84; 13.

Helena 81.5; 14. Dillon 80; 15. Cut Bank 72; 16. Butte 69; 17. Flathead 67; 18. Glacier 66; 19. Conrad 65.5; 20. Great Falls J.V. 52; 21.

Cascade 46; 22. Ronan 40.5; 23. Fergus 37.5; 24. Chinook 35; 25. Laurel 29; 26. Wolf Point 26.5; 27. Glasgow 24.5; 28. CMR J.V. 21; 29.

Butte Central 20.5; 30. Park 20; 31. Shelby 16; 32. Browning 15; 33. Missoula Hellgate 13; 33. (tie) Townsend 13; 35. Fort Benton 12; 35. (tie) Great Falls 3 12; 37. Big Sandy 11; 38. Chester-Joplin-Inverness 9; 39. Belt 3; 39. (tie) Heart Butte 3; 41. CMR 3 0; 41. (tie) Poplar 0

1st-2nd Place 98-Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman, dec. Sawyer Degen, Belgrade, 12-7 OT; 106-Keegan Kennelly, Havre, dec. Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky, 5-4; 113-Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital, dec. Tyler Meyer, Great Falls, 9-6; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls, pinned Gage Currier, Colstrip, :55; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls, pinned Landon Bailey, Helena, 2:44; 132-Jarrett Degen, Belgrade, dec.

Thomas Gruber, Havre, 5-2; 138-Parker Filius, Havre, dec. J.J. Werdal, Choteau, 6-3; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth, dec. Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda, 11-5; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth, dec. Jared Dickson, CMR, 9-3; 160-Walker Ferda, Great Falls, dec. Garrett Moritz, Conrad, 4-2; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth, dec. Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky, 4-3; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls, M-Dec Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital, 11-3; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman, M-Dec Jake French, Choteau, 14-5; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre, pinned Seth Adams, Harlem, 4:08; 285-Bryce Wigert, Anaconda, Def Tucker Yates, Colstrip High School 3rd-4th Place 98-Devin Altenburg, CMR, dec. Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, 7-3; 106-Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, dec. Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, 4-1; 113-Caleb James, Bozeman, dec. Demo

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High Thomas Gruber, left, battles an opponent during Havre High Invitationa.

Koures, Missoula Big Sky, 10-7; 120-Grayson Brenna, Havre, dec. Tate Neideregger, Chinook, 5-2; 126-Shay Snider, Harlem, pinned Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, 1:40; 132-Matt Weber, Forsyth, dec. Seth James, Bozeman, 3-0; 138-Austin Shupe, Great Falls, M-Dec Jesse Johnson, Cascade, 11-2; 145-Levi Renz, Butte, dec. Gage Bentley, Great Falls, 11-7; 152-Kessler Leonard, Great Falls, dec. Trey Stone, Choteau, 9-4; 160-Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, dec. Keevan Pickle, Belgrade, 5-4; 170-Steeler French, Choteau, dec. Cody Henderson, Great Falls, 3-2; 182-Ethan Blythe, Fergus, M-Dec Layne Durfee, Choteau, 9-0; 195-Jace Billy, Havre, dec. Lee Cannon, Butte, 3-1; 220-Eric Weaver, Great Falls, dec. Hunter Hart, Bozeman, 8-5; 285-Travis Adams, Havre, dec. Donovan Hucke, Dillon, 5-2 5th-6th Place 98-Justin Gibson, Glacier, dec. Chase DeBoo, Choteau, 7-3; 106-Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, dec. Tyler Vetter, Butte, 10-7; 113-Clayton Currier, Colstrip, pinned Chance Snellman, Dillon, 1:18; 120-Clayton Carter, Laurel, pinned Caleb Shigley, Great Falls, J.V., 1:42; 126-Dylan Stewart, Havre, dec. Lane Torgerson, Colstrip, 6-3; 132-Teague Jones, Harlem, pinned Seth Currier, Colstrip, :48; 138-Logan McGreevey, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Zach Hart, Butte Central, 3-1; 145-Isiah Yates, CMR, dec. Brenden Johnson, Harlem, 8-4; 152-Kade Branson, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Ben Manion, Bozeman, 5-0; 160-Anthony Wright, Flathead, dec. Andrew Fabian, Bozeman, 2-1; 170-Tanner Stupack, Glacier, dec. Jake Williams, Havre, 7-5; 182-Hunter Mycke, Conrad, M-Dec Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, 12-1; 195-Payton Sexe, CMR, dec. Conner Gordon, Missoula Big Sky, 7-2; 220-Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, pinned Zach Bauer, Missoula Hellgate, 2:29; 285-Axel Bladholm, Flathead, pinned Colter Miller, Missoula Big Sky, 3:48 Championship Semifinals 98-Sawyer Degen, Belgrade p. Justin Gibson, Glacier, 5:50; Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman MDec Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, 10-0; 106-Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky p. Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, 5:45; Keegan Kennelly, Havre dec.

Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, 3-2; 113-Tyler Meyer, Great Falls dec. Clayton Currier, Colstrip, 6-5; Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital p. Caleb James, Bozeman, 3:53; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls p. Clayton Carter, Laurel, 4:47; Gage Currier, Colstrip dec. Grayson

Brenna, Havre, 2-0; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls M-Dec Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, 122; Landon Bailey, Helena dec. Shay Snider, Harlem, 2-0; 132-Thomas Gruber, Havre p.

Seth Currier, Colstrip, 5:08; Jarrett Degen, Belgrade dec. Teague Jones, Harlem, 3-1; 138-Parker Filius, Havre dec. Austin Shupe, Great Falls, 7-3; J.J. Werdal, Choteau dec.

Jesse Johnson, Cascade, 7-6; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth p. Gage Bentley, Great Falls, 5:04; Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda dec. Levi Renz, Butte, 1-0; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth dec. Kessler Leonard, Great Falls, 8-2; Jared Dickson, CMR p. Trey Stone, Choteau, 5:22; 160-Garrett Moritz, Conrad dec. Keevan Pickle, Belgrade, 4-3; Walker Ferda, Great Falls M-Dec Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, 12-3; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth dec. Tanner Stupack, Glacier, 12-8; Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky M-Dec Steeler French, Choteau, 110; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls dec. Ethan Blythe, Fergus, 4-3; Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital dec. Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, 7-4; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman dec. Lee Cannon, Butte, 9-2; Jake French, Choteau dec.

Jace Billy, Havre, 10-8 OT; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre dec. Eric Weaver, Great Falls, 8-0; Seth Adams, Harlem dec. Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, 6-5; 285-Tucker Yates, Colstrip p. Travis Adams, Havre, 2:50; Bryce Wigert, Anaconda p. Donovan Hucke, Dillon, 4:59.

Championship Quarterfinals 98-Justin Gibson, Glacier, p. Nate Sargent, Helena, :49; Sawyer Degen, Belgrade, p.

Chase DeBoo, Choteau, 3:41; Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, p. Tate Munyan, Havre, 2:19; Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman, p. Tony Roso, Cascade, 3:08; 106-Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky, p. Adam Oja, Bozeman, 3:30; Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, p. Trevor Moore, Choteau, 1:29; Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, p. Shawn O’Brien, Townsend, 1:19; Keegan Kennelly, Havre, p. Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, 3:59; 113-Clayton Currier, Colstrip, p. Bryson Henningsen, Butte, :32; Tyler Meyer, Great Falls, p.

Chance Snellman, Dillon, 3:22; Caleb James, Bozeman, p. Demo Koures, Missoula Big Sky, 1:24; Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital, dec.

Logan Pleninger, Havre, 4-0; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls, p. Kwin Stoddard, Dillon, :34; Clayton Carter, Laurel, p. Connor DeBruycker, Fort Benton, 1:17; Gage Currier, Colstrip, p. Jake OMalley, Helena, :56; Grayson Brenna, Havre, p. Cole Snyder, Ronan, 3:46; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls, p.

Jake Norby, Chinook, 1:17; Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, p. Dylan Stewart, Havre, 3:31;

Landon Bailey, Helena, p. Jake Shawver, Glasgow, 3:29; Shay Snider, Harlem, dec.

Ryder Day, Glacier, 5-3; 132-Thomas Gruber, Havre, dec. Matt Weber, Forsyth, 5-3; Seth Currier, Colstrip, p. Kenton Evans, Great Falls, 3:37; Teague Jones, Harlem, dec. Travis Vermulm, Cut Bank, 7-3; Jarrett Degen, Belgrade T-Fall Seth James, Bozeman, 20-5; 138-Austin Shupe, Great Falls, p. John Bell, Harlem, :45; Parker Filius, Havre, dec.

Jace Berkram, Cut Bank, 7-4; Jesse Johnson, Cascade, p. Lyle Degen, Belgrade, :58; J.J. Werdal, Choteau, p. Blaine Berg, Conrad, 4:59; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth, p. CJ Snyder, Helena Capital, 3:35; Gage Bentley, Great Falls T-Fall Kody Pribyl, Havre, 20-5; Levi Renz, Butte, dec. Isiah Yates, CMR, 11-6; Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda, p. PJ Ayers, Fort Benton, 3:20; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth, p. Arik Lybeck, Glacier, :15; Kessler Leonard, Great Falls M-Dec Austin Blaede, Colstrip, 155; Trey Stone, Choteau, p. John Pepos, Cascade, 1:42; Jared Dickson, CMR, p. Colton McElhinney, Great Falls JV, 2:55; 160-Garrett Moritz, Conrad, dec. Andrew Fabian, Bozeman, 8-3; Keevan Pickle, Belgrade M-Dec Jacob Ferkin, Glacier, 10-0; Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, p. Anthony Wright, Flathead, 3:57; Walker Ferda, Great Falls T-Fall Ronny Cullis, Ronan, 17-2; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth, p.

Lance Massey, Great Falls JV, 1:22; Tanner Stupack, Glacier, p. Grady Blewett, Belgrade, 1:12; Steeler French, Choteau, p. Ethan Reich, Anaconda, 4:54; Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Cody Henderson, Great Falls, 2-0; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls, p. Jacob Bell, Missoula Big Sky, :22; Ethan Blythe, Fergus M-Dec Layne Durfee, Choteau, 113; Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital, p. Mitchell Stivers, Flathead, 4:21; Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, p. Hunter Mycke, Conrad, 3:02; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman, p. Michael Ollinger, Browning, 1:56; Lee Cannon, Butte, dec. Payton Sexe, CMR, 4-3; Jace Billy, Havre, dec. Conner Gordon, Missoula Big Sky, 10-6; Jake French, Choteau, dec.

Parker Tezak, Dillon, 11-4; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre, p. Tyler Brewer, Missoula Big Sky, 2:38; Eric Weaver, Great Falls, p. Justin Pfiefer, Cut Bank, :53; Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, p. Travis Field, Choteau, 2:58; Seth Adams, Harlem, p. Jake Sessions (soph), Colstrip, 5:55; 285-Tucker Yates, Colstrip, p. Colten Rue-Zindell, Great Falls JV, 1:07; Travis Adams, Havre, p. Che Littledog, Cut Bank, 1:00; Bryce Wigert, Anaconda, dec.

Zach Dennehy, Glacier, 7-4; Donovan Hucke, Dillon, p. Roberto Smith, Great Falls, 3:25.

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Havre Daily News sports writer

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor Blue Pony State Tournament Glance HHS Facts: Havre has won eight state titles under head coach Scott Filius — 1997, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013. HHS and Sidney have combined to win 11 state championships since 1999. The Ponies have five first-timer’s going this weekend, including three freshman. Havre hasn’t had at least one individual state champion in the last 12 seasons. The Ponies haven’t finished outside the Top 3 at state since 2003. Havre scored 233.5 points to win last year’s championship. The Ponies hold the Class A record for team points, scoring 294.5 points in 2009.

106 – Keegan Kennelly Kennelly, ranked No. 1, is a state runner-up, finishing second at 98 pounds as a freshman a year ago. He’s been extremely dominant this season, even moving up for a couple of weeks to compete at 113. Kennelly will have a bye in the first round, and will probably face Sidney’s Wyatt Van Buren in the semifinals, while Dillon’s Kholten Starkel is tough and Frenchtown’s Cody Warner is a returning state placer from a year ago. Still, Kennelly is a heavy favorite this weekend and has never lost to anyone in his bracket.

113 – Logan Pleninger Pleninger, ranked No. 4, finished a solid fourth at 105 pounds as a freshman and has had an outstanding sophomore season. Pleninger will be among the favorites this weekend, but the new 113-pound bracket is tough, especially with two-time state champion Clay Stillwagon of Butte Central. Pleninger wouldn’t see Stillwagon until the finals but will have to get through Anaconda’s Tre Smollack and Sidney’s Trace Jones to get there. Pleninger faces Laurel’s Jordan Shovar in the first round.

120 – Grayson Brenna Brenna, ranked No. 2, captured the 105-pound state title last season and has been nearly unbeatable in his junior campaign. He’s the favorite this weekend, but his bracket is all about a potential matchup with Sidney’s Gresh Jones, who won the 119-pound title in 2013.

Brenna and Jones are on the same side of the bracket, so a semifinal meeting is likely, barring any upsets, and that match could have a profound effect on the team title. Corvallis’ Chase Connor and Billings Central’s Zach Wall, both returning state placers should vie for the other spot in the final. Brenna battles Brandon Burnhagen of Miles City in the opening round.

126 – Dylan Stewart Stewart, ranked No. 6, is in one of the most loaded brackets in the tournament, but he can still contend. As a sophomore, Stewart finished third at 112 pounds, but the 126-pound bracket has no less than seven returning state placers, including Stewart. Columbia Falls’ Shonn Roberts is a returning state champ up from 112 pounds, while Lewistown’s Hunter Grover finished second at 119

last season and Polson’s Carlos Quinones was third and Corvallis’ Josh Venema was fourth. The bracket also includes Frenchtown’s Tyler Ishler and perhaps the favorite to battle Roberts in Sidney’s Ethan Graves. Stewart will face Laurel’s Connor Ludwig in the first round, with a quarterfinal matchup with Roberts on the horizon.

126 – Dane Flammond Havre is doubled at 126 pounds. Freshman Dane Flammond made a good run at last weekend’s Central A meet, but he’ll have a tough fight on his hands in such a loaded bracket. Still, Flammond is expected to score key points for the Ponies. He’ll face Hardin’s Chandler Metcalf in the first round and, with a win, would likely meet Venema in the quarterfinals.

132 – Thomas Gruber

to make noise alongside Filius this weekend. The bracket is tough, but Aageson is now a veteran and could end up on the podium. After a third-place finish in the Central A, Aageson faces Butte Central’s Hart in the opening round.

145 – Kody Pribyl In 2013, Pribyl stormed onto the Class A scene by finishing third at 140 pounds. But he won’t be a secret this weekend. Pribyl, ranked No. 3, has had an outstanding year and goes into state as a No. 1 seed out of the Central A. His bracket includes defending state champion and unbeaten Bryan Armstrong of Anaconda, as well as Hardin’s Jon Lemon, Frenchtown’s Cody Lemons and Sidney’s Ryan Chatteron. Pribyl also wound up on Armstrong’s side of the bracket and would have to face him in the semifinals. But to even get there, he will have to get through Dillon’s Austin Olsen in the first round, and probably Lemon in the quarterfinals.

Gruber, ranked No. 3, is entering his final state tournament. And he’s a three-time state placer. But he’s always been in one of the premier brackets of the state tourney, and his senior season will be no different. Gruber finished fifth at 130 a year ago, but lost two heartbreakers and was that close to a state title.

This weekend, he’ll be back in the bracket with returning 125-pound state champion Jarrett Degan of Belgrade, who beat Gruber at last weekend’s Central A match.

Dillon Tennant of Glendive, who finished second at 130 last season is also in the bracket, as is Sidney’s Layne Schaeffer. Gruber wrestles Donovan Williams of Corvallis in the first round, then his state title hopes will rest on a quarterfinal bout with Tennant, whom he lost to 5-3 in last year’s semifinals.

The Ponies have had good success with freshman at state over the years, and Stokes, ranked No. 4, is in a position to keep that tradition going. He enters his first state tourney as a Central A champion in what is a wide open 152-pound bracket. Hardin’s Shawn Purcell is the likely favorite after finishing second at 145 a year ago, while Corvallis’ Riley Jessop is also strong. But Stokes is on the opposite side of both, and if he wrestles well, a trip to the finals isn’t out of the question. Stokes wrestles Butte Central’s Sean Cooney in the first round.

138 – Parker Filius

160 – Jared Laux

In his first crack at the state tournament, Filius, ranked No. 2, goes in as one of two favorites at 138 pounds.

He hasn’t lost a match to a Class A opponent this season, but Filius has company in his bracket. Sidney’s Jordan Stevens finished second at 140 a year ago, and he and Filius should meet in the final Saturday. However, stalwarts like Butte Central’s Zach Hart, Libby’s Zach Crace, both returning state placers, and Belgrade’s Lyle Degan are all on Stevens’ side so they may have something to say about the outcome. Filius has no returning state placers in his half of the bracket and wrestles Anaconda’s Brevin Thompson in the first round and will face either Colton Grove of Columbia Falls or Braydon Rooks of Sidney in the quarterfinals.

Laux has been a bit of an under-the-radar guy this season, but he came through by finishing second at the Central A last weekend, and he could be a key factor for the Ponies this weekend. His bracket includes returning state placers Wyatt Jessop of Corvallis and Keevan Pickle of Belgrade, while a quarterfinal matchup with Sidney’s Cody Johnson looms. But, overall, appearing in his first state tourney, Laux could really help HHS in the team title race. Laux faces Stevensville’s Braden Loveless in the opening round.

138 – Gunnar Aageson This is another weight Havre is doubled up at. Aageson is a junior with state tourney experience, and he’ll look

152 – Jase Stokes

170 – Jake Williams Injuries have always plagued Williams, but he enters his final state tournament as healthy as he’s been in some time, and also as a Central A champion. With momentum on his side and a favorable draw, Williams, ranked No. 4, will fight hard to reach Saturday’s finals. Ethan Reich of Anaconda is the favorite in the bracket, while

Sidney’s Cody Christian and Libby’s Garrett Chapel are returning state placers, but Williams is poised to have his best state tournament of an injury-riddled career. He’ll face Columbia Falls’ Jason Williams in the first round, with Corvallis’ Tucker Jessop likely waiting for him in the quarters and most likely Chapel in the semifinals.

182 – Dustin Odegard Odegard, too, is a veteran of the state tourney, but now he’s looking for the podium. He’s been consistent for the Ponies all season long and he could make some serious noise this weekend. His bracket includes top seed Ethan Blythe of Lewistown and Dace Fisher of Sidney while Hardin’s Connor Murdock and Polson’s Tele Seeman are also tough. Odegard’s draw starts with Columbia Falls’ Ike Schweichert in the first round and most likely a meeting with Fisher in the quarterfinals.

195 – Jace Billy After rising to a third-place finish at 189 last season, Billy, ranked No. 1, has really taken off in his junior year.

He’s been ranked No. 1 at 195 for most of the season and hasn’t lost to a Class A opponent this year. He’s certainly one of the favorites in his bracket, but it won’t be easy. Dillon’s Parker Tezak and Hamilton’s Michael Bumgartner are returning state placers, while Sidney has two stalwarts qualified in Austin Kendall and Garrett Darby. Corvallis’ Monty Jessop is also strong, but Billy has a shot at state title. He’ll face Andrew Burgess of Columbia Falls first and could see Sidney grapplers in both the quarters and semis.

195 – John Chinadle Chinadle could really help the Ponies in the upper weights, especially in the wrestle backs. He didn’t see much varsity dual time this season, but he got through the Central A and gives Havre more depth. In his first state tourney, Chinadle has to face Northwest A champion Mike Corrigan of Polson.

220 – Tyler Adams Adams, ranked No. 1, came oh-so-close to a state title as a junior. This weekend, he’s expected to win. Adams hasn’t lost to a Class A rival this season and has been a dominant force for the Ponies. Not only should he win the 220-pound title, but he is also a candidate for the Quick Pin Award. That’s how good he’s been this season.

Sidney’s Hunter Severson is Adams’ only road block to the finals, while all of the Southwest A qualifiers are also tough. Still, Adams is as heavy a favorite as there is in any bracket in the tournament.

220 – Travis Adams The biggest road block for Tyler Adams in the 220-pound bracket could be younger brother Travis. A state placer a year ago, Travis, ranked No. 4, was pretty dominant as a heavy for much of the season. But he moved down to 220 for the Central A, setting up Havre with a chance to completely own the bracket. He’ll face Stevi’s Kordale Behner in the first round and he’s on a side of the bracket that doesn’t have a single returning state placer, making an all Adams final entirely possible.

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Pony matmen anxious to get back at it Daniel Horton

Havre has 17 grapplers ready to rumble

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

After entering the holiday break looking to do a little tweaking and looking for some much-needed rest, the Havre High wrestling team is once again ready to take the mat.

But the top-ranked Class A Blue Ponies couldn’t have entered the break wrestling any better. They had earned top finishes each weekend in action including a secondplace finish at the CMR Holiday Classic and a No. 1 finish at the Mining City Duals. If the Ponies utilized the break well, they should continue to be a difficult matchup for whomever they face the rest of the season.

Friday and Saturday, the Ponies will jumpstart the new year when they face another tough field of grapplers in Bozeman.

“We had a great break,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We ran through the whole gamut. We covered

all of our technique and a lot of conditioning, but the kids had a lot of fun and worked hard. But now we have had a long enough break. We have been in the room beating up on ourselves long enough, and we are ready to get on with our season. But we know we have a grind ahead of us in Bozeman, Cut Bank, Missoula and then the Class A Duals. We have four big weekends in a row, but our batteries are recharged and the kids are ready to go.”

Unfortunately, the Ponies don’t re-enter action at 100 percent.

There has been some limited shuffling in the lineup early, but it has held steady for the most part. This weekend the big change comes at 195 pounds. Jace Billy will rest to ensure he is 100 percent moving forward, making room for John Chinadle to take a run at the varsity lineup. Also expected to execute will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dy-

lan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

And it will take a lot of good wrestling for the Ponies to push a good number of wrestlers though the individual brackets.

“We have only gone to Bozeman one time since I have been coaching in Havre, and it was a good tournament,” Filius said.

“It is down without the Billings schools, but we expect to see Great Falls and CMR, a lot of the southern schools, as well as most of the Eastern A and Southern A. It will be a good tournament with some different people we don’t always get to see.”

The way the Ponies have been wrestling, it shouldn’t matter who is on the mat with them. The young grap-

plers are stepping up, and the veteran wrestlers are leading by example. Havre has made it a habit of winning a lot of matches this season, and in the losses, the Ponies aren’t giving up many pins. Whether HHS wrestlers are facing new or familiar foes, they will be looking for the same result, a win in the match and a win in the team standings. With the momentum the Ponies gained to start the season, coach Filius does have an idea of what his team is capable of, but returning home from Bozeman, he should know a whole lot more. After steady improvement from the get go, the break in action could propel the Ponies to polish off an already dominating season.

“I am confident the kids will come out hungry. We have looked awfully good in the room,” Filius said. “We are a young group, but we are veteran enough that we already have a pretty good idea of where they are at.”

Friday and Saturday the Po-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Logan Pleninger and the top-ranked Havre High wrestling team will return from the holiday break when the Blue Ponies attend the Bozeman Invitational Friday and Saturday.

The meet starts a busy four-week stretch for the Ponies, who last wrestled at the CMR Holiday Classic in December.

nies will wrestle in Bozeman

at the Bozeman Invitational.

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2014 CLASS A

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2014

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2014 CLASS A

February 2014

Short-handed Ponies compete hard in Bozeman Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com It isn’t often that the Havre High wrestling team falls out of the top two or three in team standings at the conclusion of a tournament.

It happened this weekend, but that is a testament to the kind of competition the Blue Ponies face on a week-to-week basis.

Friday and Saturday, the Central A Ponies faced a tough field at the Tom LeProwse Memorial Open in Bozeman.

The Ponies finished as the No. 8 team with 144 points. Great Falls High was first with 255, while Missoula Big Sky was second with 194, and Forsyth was third with 185. Missoula Sentinel, Bozeman, Helena Capital and Colstrip also finished ahead of the Ponies in the team standings.

And in rare fashion, the Ponies were nearly split right down the middle when it came to placing in the top six or not. The Ponies aren’t wrestling at 100 percent, but when they are, they have made it a habit of pushing the majority of their grapplers deep into tournaments. In Bozeman, seven individuals placed while seven came up short.

The Ponies were open at 106 pounds and 195 pounds. Tate Munyan (98), Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182) and Travis Adams (285) all wrestled hard, but came up short on the weekend.

The HHS grapplers who did place, continued to perform well.

Any losses didn’t come until after the quarterfinals, as Keegan Kennelly (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152) and Tyler Adams (220) all placed in the top six, though the Ponies did not get any No. 1 finishes.

Brenna, Adams and Filius all took second place. Brenna fell in 3:21 in the finals, but did earn a major decision and two falls prior to the loss in the chipper. Filius lost 11-2 in the finals after running into a very familiar Austin Shupe of Great Falls High once again. Filius had a first round bye, and earned a technical fall and a 9-6 decision before running into Shupe. Adams suffered a 3-1 loss in the 220-pound finals, but earned his spot after a 6-1 decision and win by fall prior.

Kennelly took third place by earning a win to finish off his weekend. His loss came after the quarterfinal round, but in the third-place match Kennelly earned a win by default over Clay Stillwagon of Butte Central. Kennelly also earned two pins to start his weekend, as well as a major decision win en route to another big weekend.

Stewart, Gruber and Stokes all finished in sixth place. Stewart lost his placing match by way of major decision, while Gruber lost a 4-0 decision, and Stokes was pinned.

The Ponies will look to get back on track at the Cut Bank Invitational in Cut Bank Friday and Sat-

urday.

E. Weaver, GFH, 2-1; 285 - B. Wigert, ANA, pinned C. Hammock MST, 1:18.

Tom LeProwse Memorial

Team scores: 1. Great Falls 255, 2. Missoula Big Sky 194.5, 3. Forsyth 185.5, 4. Missoula Sentinel 180, 5. Bozeman 165.5, 6. Helena Capital 160.5, 7.

Colstrip 160, 8. Havre 144, 9. C.M. Russell 132, 10. Butte 121, 11. Belgrade 117, 12. Hardin 109, 13. Helena 100.5, 14. Anaconda 96.5, 15. Dillon 90, 16. Huntley Project 77, 17. Cody, Wyo. 76, 18.

Butte Central 58.5, 19. Bozeman JV 51, 20. Laurel 43.5, 21. Whitehall 31.5, 22. Miles City 14, 23.

Livingston 4.

Championships: 98 - Schroeder, BOZ, maj. dec. S. Degen, BEL, 146; 106 - J. Hegel, MST, def. J. Conklin, MBS by default; 113 - S. Schroeck, CAP, dec. C. Currier, COL 6-4; 120 - G. Currier, COL, pinned Grayson Brenna, HAV, 3:21; 126 - M. Weber FOR, d. T. McMillen GFH, 6-2; 132 - C. Dobson, GFH, dec. J. Degen, BEL, 6-4; 138 - A. Shupe, GFH, dec. Parker Filius, HAV, 11-4; 145 - L. Weber, FOR, dec. B. Armstrong, ANA, 5-0; 152 – B. Weber, FOR, dec. J. Dickson, CMR, 3-2; 160 – C. Niler, FOR, maj. dec.

J. Beaudrie, CODY, 11-1; 170 - L. Entzel, MBS, dec.

S. Landerman, CODY, 4-3; 182 - R. Keesler, GFH, dec. A. Schmitz, CAP 6-5; 195 - K. Buckley, BOZ, pinned L. Cannon, BUT, 3:55; 220 - J. Wilson MST, D. Tyler Adams, HAV 3-1; 285 - D. Hucke, DIL, dec. C. Miller, MBS, 3-0.

Third/Fourth 98 - L. Bradley, COL, pinned N. Kunz, CAP, 4:52; 106 - K. Starkel, DIL, dec. N. Durnell, CMR, 5-0; 113 - Keegan Kennelly, HAV, def. C. Stillwagon, BUC, by default; 120 - L. Bailey, HEL, dec. K. Evans, GFH 5-3; 126 - S. Hopkins, BOZ, pinned B. Henningsen, BUT, 1:41; 132 - S. Currier, COL, dec.

L. Harms, FOR, 4-1; 138 - L. McGreevey, MBS, dec. Z. Hart, BUC, 5-04; 145 - L. Renz, BUT, dec. I. Yates, CMR, 3-1; 152 - K. Leonard, GFH, pinned C. McElhinney, GFH, 3:59; 160 - W. Ferda, GFH, dec. J. Riekena, MBS, 9-7; 170 - E. Reich, ANA, pinned T. Brugman, CMR, 2:13; 182 - C. Wiers, BOZ, pinned C. Murdock, HDN, :35; 195 - PINNED Tezak, DIL, dec. K. Dole HTP 6-4; 220 - D. Koffman, CAP, dec.

Fifth/Sixth 98 - D. Altenburg, CMR, tf. I. Renfro, MST, 19-3; 106 - B. Johnson , WHL, dec. W. Gordon, MBS 5-0; 113 0 T. Meyer, GFH, dec. D. Koures, MBS 4-2; 120 - J. Komac, GFH, maj. dec. C. McDaniel FOR, 8-0; 126 - D. Duffalo, MST, pinned Dylan Stewart, HAV, 4:31; 132 - D. Schulte, MST, dec. Thomas Gruber, HAV 4-0; 138 - C. Rushing, CAP, pinned L. Degen, BEL, 4:51; 145 - G. Bentley, GFH, dec. B. Manion BOZJV 2-0; 152 - A. Blaede, COL, pinned Jase Stokes, HAV, 1:58; 160 - B. Bilbrey, GFH, pinned T. Delp, HDN, 4:52; 170 - J. Harbison, MST, pinned C. Fredericks, HDN, :37; 182 - M. AmadoCattaneo, GFH, pinned M. Bertelsen, BOZJV 2:12; 195 - C. Gordon, MBS, dec. T. Erickson, HEL, 7-2; 220 - S. Hilborn, HEL, pinned T. Brewer, MBS, 1:56; 285 - R. Smith, GFH, pinned R. Becker, HDN :32.

Quarterfinals 98 – Schroeder, BOZ, pinned Casey, BUT, :14; Renfro, MST, pinned Robins, BOZJV, 1:26; Degen, BEL, pinned Witzelm, WHL, 1:33; Altenburg, CMR, pinned Bradley, COL, 5:41.

106 – Conklin, MBS, pinned Burnell, CMR, 5:27; Starkel, DIL, pinned Meyer, ANA, 3:48; Johnson, WHL, pinned Rolfe, CAP, :52; Hegel, MST, pinned Gordon, MBS, 3:17.

113 – Stillwagon, BUC, pinned Rickard, DIL, 1:04; Currier, COL, pinned James, BOZ, 3:57; Schroeck, CAP, def. Carter, LAU by default; Keegan Kennelly, HAV, maj. dec. Schilling, GFH, 11-2.

120 – Currier, COL, pinned Evenson, BOZ, 3:33; Bailey, HEL, dec. Evans, GFH, 6-1; Grayson Brenna, HAV, pinned McDaniel, FOR, 2:40; Komac, GFH, pinned Reinschmist, WHL, 1:09.

126 – Weber, FOR, maj. dec. Hopkins, BOZ, 13-4; Duffalo, MST, pinned Dickerman, CODY, 5:54; Dylan Stewart, HAV, pinned Torgerson, COL, 2:56; McMillen, GFH, pinned Metcalf, HDN, 3:59.

132 – Degen, BEL, pinned Caldwell, HEL, 1:08;

Havre Daily News sports writer

If the Havre High wrestling team can continue to get healthy and plug some holes in the lineup, then the Central A Blue ponies should be able to return to their early season dominance.

Last weekend in Bozeman, the Ponies found themselves finishing the weekend as the No. 8 team. But with some key injuries, including Jace Billy at 195 pounds, and some late scratches due to the dreaded cold and flu season, it was clear that the Ponies were less than 100 percent.

Prior to Bozeman the Ponies had either won or finished in second place at each of the tournaments they competed at this season.

Friday and Saturday the

Ponies will look to rebound at the Cut Bank Invitational in Cut Bank.

“Last week we had several guys get sick and out of the lineup,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But everybody has to deal with that stuff, that sickness is going to go through everybody, and we still have some guys struggling. But we are a lot closer to being back, and we are getting a lot better.

“Everything is a stepping stone towards the end,” Filius added. “I would like all my kids to be as good as they can be every week so we can improve, but I don’t know if it is necessary every week. It is tough to peak every week, but we need to improve every week.”

A year ago the Ponies dominated the competition in Cut Bank.

But with teams like Choteau, Lewistown, Harlem, Great Falls High, Cut Bank, Chinook, Eureka, Whitefish, Conrad, Glasgow, Wolf Point, CMR, Browning, Malta, Fort Benton, Big Sandy, CascadeSimms, Chester/J-I, Shelby, Jefferson, Poplar and Heart Butte also in attendance, there will be plenty of team and individual talent to test the Ponies. Last year the Ponies finished in first place with 247 points. Choteau was second with 217 and Lewistown was a distant third with 159. This year the varsity lineups from CMR, GFH and Kalispell Flathead will also be in attendance, making the talent pool even deeper.

The Ponies had a handful of individuals place in the top six, while Keegan Kennelly and Grayson Brenna led the way with individual cham-

pionships. Kody Pribyl and Jordan Schroeder also made the championship round and returned to Havre each with second-place finishes.

“There are going to be a lot of good wrestlers from the smaller schools as well as bigger schools,” Filius said.

“It is going to be fun, and we always wrestle well there.”

If HHS can get to 100 percent, expected grapplers will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220), Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285).

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Harms, FOR, pinned Currier, COL, 3:47; Dobson, GFH, dec. James, BOZ, 3-2; Schulte, MST, maj. dec. Thomas Gruber, HAV, 14-0.

138 – Shupe, GFH, pinned Ramirez, HDN, 1:52; Rushing, CAP, pinned Degen, BEL, 1:51; Parker Filius, HAV, dec. Hart, BUC, 9-6; McGreevey, MBS, pinned McBroom, CAP, 1:03.

145 – Weber, FOR, maj. dec. Manlon, BOZJV, 15-6; Yates, CMR, maj. dec. Lemon, HDN, 15-1; Renz, BUT, dec. Ryan, HEL, 12-6; Armstrong, , dec. Bentley, 9-4.

152 – Weber, FOR, pinned Mavrinac, ANA, 2:58; Leonard, GFH, maj. dec. Branson, MBS, 17-5; Jase Stokes, HAV, dec. Purcell, HDN, 12-7; Dickson, CMR, pinned Stack, MST, 1:04.

160 – Nile, FOR, pinned Anderson, BUT, :30; Ferda, GFH, dec. Pickle, BEL, 3-0; Delp, HDN, maj. dec.

VanDyke, HEL, 14-5; Beaudrie, CODY, Graseschi, CMR, 2:30.

170 – Entzel, MBS, dec. Harbison, MST, 6-0; Fredericks, HDN, pinned Flickenger, CODY, 2:59; Brugman, CMR, pinned Reich, ANA, 5:55; Landerman, CODY, pinned Van Dyke, HEL, 1:04.

182 – Keesler, GFH, pinned Danielson, CMR, 2:49; Wiers, BOZ, dec. Bertelsen, BOZJV, 6-5; Murdock, HDN, pinned Cinningham, BEL, 1:18; Schmitz, CAP, pinned Amado-Cattaneo, GFH, 3:10.

195 – Buckley, BOZ, maj. dec. Gordon, MBS, 14-3; Dole, HTP, pinned Rebish, MST, 2:54; Tezak, DIL, pin. Williams, GFH, 2:44; Cannon, BUT, pinned Erickson, HEL, 3:06.

220 – Tyler Adams, HAV, pinned Scott, HDN, 3:56; Hilborn, HEL, pinned Nordell, CMR, 5:58; Koffman, CAP, dec. Hart, BOZ, 5-2; Wilson, MST, dec. Weaver, GFH, 8-3.

285 – Hicke, DIL, pinned Becker, HDN, :50; Smith, GFH, pinned Murillo, :26; Miller, MBS, pinned Rue-Zindell, GFH, 1:52; Wiegert, ANA, pinned Bell, FOR, :19.

Pony grapplers look to step up in Cut Bank Daniel Horton

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High sophomore Keegan Kennelly, top.

Dane Flammond (126) and Jared Laux (160) have also been in and out of the varsity lineup this season.

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Cut Bank for the stellar Cut Bank Invitational wresting tournament.

Ready for the moment

Blue Ponies gunning for a repeat as Class A champions Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

One year ago, the Havre High wrestling team returned to glory and recaptured the Class A state championship.

This year the Central A Blue Ponies are the No. 1 ranked team in the Class A, are coming off of another Central A divisional title, and are looking to be crowned as the Class A’s best program for the second consecutive season.

Including last year’s title, the Blue Ponies have won eight state titles under veteran head coach Scott Filius. But before returning to the top, the Ponies took third place two years ago and second place three years ago at state. However, before the second-place finish three years ago, the Ponies captured the state title four straight times, arguably making the HHS program a dynasty and one of the best to take the mat in the last decade.

But once a team gets a taste of being the best around, that success continues to be the goal.

“That is the goal of the kids and my goal as well,” Filius said. “That is what you work for, and we have never taken our eyes off of that. When I came in, that is the first thing that we did, we took the emphasis off of divisionals and put them on state, and we have had a lot of success by doing that. The kids have bought in for years and have high expectations for themselves.

“And we are ready,” Filius added about his team. “We had a great schedule all year long, and our kids have been battle ready from the Rocky Mountain Classic, Bozeman, the Cut Bank Invite, the Havre Invite, Great Falls and CMR. We are ready to roll, we just need to go out and

wrestle like we are capable of, and we have been doing that, so really, we control our own destiny.”

Filius will take a lineup of 17 individual wrestlers to the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings this weekend for the Class A state tourney.

Making up that lineup will be 106-pounder Keegan Kennelly (division champion), 113-pounder Logan Pleninger (division champ), 120-pounder Grayson Brenna (division champ), 126-pounder Dylan Stewart (divisional runner up), 126-pounder Dane Flammond, 132-pounder Thomas Gruber (divisional runner up), 138-pounder Parker Filius (division champ), 138-pounder Gunnar Aageson, 145-pounder Kody Pribyl (division champ), 152-pounder Jase Stokes (division champ), 160-pounder Jared Laux (divisional runner up), 171-pounder Jake Williams (division champ), 182-pounder Dustin Odegard, 195-pounder Jace Billy (division champ), 195-pounder John Chinadle, 220-pounder Travis Adams (division champ) and 220-pounder Tyler Adams (divisional runner up).

Each of the Havre grapplers will have to wrestle well. The Ponies are considered a favorite to win the team title, but it may end up being a tight race. Sidney is always a frontrunner, and the Eagles enter with 11 divisional champions this year.

But Columbia Falls may also find themselves in the race late, while they all three fend off the likes of Belgrade, Anaconda, Polson, Glendive and Corvallis, all teams which can score big points this weekend.

HHS isn’t looking past anybody this year, the Ponies never do. But they are aware

of what they can accomplish if they continue to do what they have done all season long, wrestle smart, aggressive and at a high level. If the Ponies can manage to do those things, then being open at 98 pounds and heavyweight shouldn’t hurt their chances overall.

“I don’t know about a strong favorite, but we like our chances,” coach Filius said.

“Our kids are prepared for the challenge and they will wrestle well. And that (having open weights) only hurts you if you don’t have quality in your other kids and we do.

I would like to think that we have about 10 kids that have a shot at doing very well. I don’t want to single anybody out because none of them have an easy road, they will all be hard.

“We are going to do what we are capable of,” Filius added, “and we will be like all the rest of the teams, we will have matches that hurt when it’s over and some that feel good. That is just the nature of the beast, but we are going to try and put ourselves in a position to get as many of those good ones as we can.”

Billy finished in third place last year, but was one of the highlight wrestlers of the weekend after he went on a great run to get through the consolation round. Billy led 11 Blue Ponies to finish in the top six. Brenna (105) and graduate Grant Pattison (189) finished No. 1, while Kennelly (98) and Tyler Adams (215) both finished No. 2 a year ago. Stewart (112) and Pribyl (140) also both finished in third, while Pleninger (105) finished fourth, and Gruber (130) finished in fifth place.

Graduate Gilbert Bara (135) and Travis Adams (215) also both finished in sixth place for Havre.

This weekend Billy, Bren-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High junior Grayson Brenna, right, will be going for his second straight individual state championship, while his Blue Pony team is the favorite to capture the team title at this weekend's Class A state tournament in Billings. na, Kennelly, Tyler Adams, Stewart, Pribyl, Pleninger, Gruber and Travis Adams all have a shot at placing again.

All of the 17 HHS wresters should expect to do well, but Williams will also be looking to earn a top spot after a successful season, as is newcomer and freshman Parker Filius. He has a great shot at earning a state title in his first prep season, also giving him the opportunity to be a four-time champ, something HHS hasn’t seen in quite some time. In fact, Havre has a chance to parade quite a few wrestlers into the finals this weekend, including Kennelly, returning state champion Brenna and Tyler Adams, all grapplers who were in the finals a year ago.

And while the Ponies have

several athletes that can emerge as champions, the Ponies know they need to get points whenever and wherever they can. For a team title, the third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishes, as well as big bonus points and headto-head wins over Sidney are just as important as the individual state championships.

In fact, Havre’s depth has been one of the big reasons why the Ponies are always in the hunt for team titles under Filius. He’s cultivated a deep program, and it’s one which continues to earn points in all rounds of the state tournament.

“That is what separates your championship team from your second-place team,” Coach Filius said.

“That is a huge focus. It is tough to wrestle after you get beat, but that is a reason why we go get a tough schedule, so all of our kids can end up with a loss. If you have a kid go undefeated, the schedule wasn’t tough enough. But our kids have great character, so I expect them all to have a great weekend.”

Havre High will begin its quest for a second straight state title and a ninth under Filius when the Class A state tournament gets underway Friday morning at 10 a.m.

The tournament will run through Saturday’s finals which are set to begin at 4 p.m. All of the action will take place inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at Billings Metra Park.

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Ponies roll to Central A title Havre High crowns nine champions in Browning, will send 17 grapplers to state

Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com At the Central A divisional wrestling tournament, the Havre High wrestling team did exactly what it expected to do. And even more important than the team title earned

by Havre, the Blue Ponies are now one step closer to claiming yet another Class A state title.

Saturday, the Blue Ponies competed against the rest of the Central A in Browning. The Ponies proved they are too deep and too talented to be knocked off their divisional throne with an impressive 296 team points. Belgrade finished second with 210, followed by Lewistown with 119, Browning with 88, and Livingston with a distant 77.

Havre also made light work of

the shallow competition by placing each of its 17 wrestlers in the top five. That means the Ponies will take a full lineup of 17 grapplers to the state tournament.

“Teams like Belgrade are just too short to keep up, they don’t have enough guys and their quality isn’t what it has been the last few years,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But the kids wrestled real well. We didn’t get a whole lot of matches and it is frustrating that there aren’t more kids out there.

Now we just have to make sure we stay sharp in practice. But we took 17 kids and got them all qualified for state, so we are happy with that.”

Individual title winners included Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jake Williams (171), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (220). Kennelly, Pleninger and Travis Adams all won by forfeit in the championships, while Billy defeated Belgrade’s Jaden Bryant by default.

But as the Ponies did all weekend, several wrestlers dominated their

final match. Brenna earned a major decision over Chad Lander of Lewistown, 13-0, while Stokes earned a solid 7-1 decision over Noah Criner of Belgrade. Filius pinned Lyle Degen of Belgrade in just 1:15.

Also in the finals, Pribyl narrowly escaped Thad Kucera of Lewistown with 5-4 decision, while Williams defeated Devin Blythe of Lewistown with a 5-4 decision.

“All of our kids wrestled well in the championship round,” coach Filius said. “We had a couple of matches end up closer than they have been in the past, but it is hard to get excited about this divisional tournament. It just needs to be more competitive.”

But the Ponies had four other individuals come up just short in the chipper.

Dylan Stewart (126) suffered a 7-2 loss to Lewistown’s Hunter Grover, finishing the weekend with a No. 2 finish, while Thomas Gruber (132) also lost 6-4 to Belgrade’s Jarrett Deegan for a second-place finish.

Jared Laux (160) was pinned by Keevan Pickle of Belgrade, and Tyler Adams (220) gave up a forfeit win to his brother Travis for another

Blue Pony second-place finish.

Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (138) and Dustin Odegard (182) all placed third for the Ponies.

John Chinadle also placed fifth for the Ponies, completing the lineup at an impressive 17 keeping their seasons alive and taking on the best of the best at state.

“We didn’t have too many hiccups,” coach Filius said. “You always want to get everybody qualified, but you also want to come away healthy, and we did both of those things. We are going to ratchet it up another level moving forward, but you expect that as the season goes on.”

The Central A champion Blue Ponies will now look to defend their Class A state title. Friday and Saturday the Ponies will face the rest of the Class A’s best at the Metra Park’s Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

Central A at Browning

Team scores – 1. Havre 296.5; 2. Belgrade 210.5; 3.

Lewistown 119; 4. Browning 88; 5. Livingston 77 Finals 98 – Sawyer Degan, BEL p. Brandon Rockwell, BEL 5:19 106 – Keegan Kennelly, HAV, bye.

113 – Logan Pleninger, HAV, bye 120 – Grayson Brenna, HAV, md. Chad Lander, LEW 13-0 126 – Hunter Grover, LEW, d. Dylan Stewart, HAV, 7-2 132 – Jarrett Denen, BEL, d. Thomas Gruber, HAV, 6-4 138 – Parker Filius, HAV, p. Lyle Degen, BEL, 1:15 145 – Kody Pribyl, HAV, d. Thad Kucera, LEW, 5-4 152 – Jase Stokes, HAV, d. Noah Criner, BEL, 7-1 160 –Keevan Pickle, BEL, p. Jared Laux, HAV, :49 171 – Jake Williams, HAV, d. Devin Blythe, LEW, 5-4 182 – Ethan Blythe, LEW, p. Raven Cunningham, BEL, 1:09 195 – Jace Billy, HAV, by default over Jaden Bryant, BEL 220 –Travis Adams, HAV, by forfeit over Tyler Adams, HAV 285 – Peter Townes, LIV, p. Jordan Murillo, BEL 4:51

Third place 98 – Kai Krumweide, LEW, bye 106 – no matches 113 – no matches 120 – Shade Noble, BEL, tf Haden Mushrush, LIV, 16-1 126 – Dane Flammond, HAV, p. Isaac Wippert, BRN :46 132 – Billy Birdwell, LEW, d. Calvin Racine, BRN, 4-2 138 – Gunnar Aageson, HAV, p. Chris Swanson, LIV, 3:53 145 – Zeus Rutherford, BRN, md. Braden Fitzgerald, LIV, 13-2 152 – Brandon Gilham, BRN, p. Clayton Linville, LIV, 2:08 160 – Jordan Perino, LIV, d. Bradley Denton, LEW, 6-0 171 – Grady Blewett, BEL, d. Kiin Salois, BRN, 5-3 182 – Dustin Odegard, HAV, d. Cody Lucke, BRN, 4-1 195 – William Ollinger, BRN, d. John Chinadle, HAV, 5-1 220 – Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, bye 285 – Terydon Hall, BRN, p. Cameron Carter, BEL, 2:14.

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Champs Again: Ponies win tough Cut Bank Invitational Healthy Havre High wrestling team places 14, crowns three champions in Cut Bank Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Having a healthy and full lineup makes a big difference in prep wrestling, and having both of those things back in their favor, the Havre High grapplers were back to looking as impressive as any team in the state.

A week ago at the Bozeman Invitational, the Central A Blue Ponies finished in eighth place as a team. Due to some sickness and injury, the team was less than 100 percent. But coming away with yet another championship team finish over the weekend, the Ponies are back on the rise, and close to hitting full stride once again.

Friday and Saturday, the Ponies were in Cut Bank for the Cut Bank Invitational. The Ponies finished No. 1 overall with an impressive 295 team points. Great Falls High was in a distant second with 256, while CMR finished in third place with 187.

“We had a real good turnout, especially compared to the week before,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But now Great Falls High is going through the same thing. Last week they were healthy, had everybody in the lineup, and wrestled at a high level while we were shorthanded.

And our guys didn’t necessarily wrestle at a high level last week.

But this week, Great Falls High had some kids out and the guys they had were flat. We had all of our guys this week and our guys wrestled at a high level, so it does make a big difference having everybody in the lineup.”

And while some teams may be struggling, the HHS grapplers took full advantage and turned in a very dominating performance.

Overall, the Ponies placed 14 wrestlers in Cut Bank, including individual champions in Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Fil-

Kennelly

Filius

ius (138) and Tyler Adams (220).

Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (145) and Jase Billy (195) also made the finals, but finished in second place. Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Jake Williams (170) and Travis Adams (285) all placed third, while Jase Stokes (152), Dustin Odegard (182) and John Chinadle (195) placed fourth, and Thomas Gruber (132) finished fifth.

Tate Munyon (98), Dane Flammond (126) and Jared Laux (160) also performed well but didn’t place amongst the tough field of wrestlers.

Pushing individuals deep into

T. Adams

tournaments is always the goal of HHS and is the only way to consistently win these big tournaments.

And if the Ponies can continue to wrestle well, place a dominating 14 grapplers and continue to improve, then they should continue to dominate this season.

“We competed and won a lot of close matches,” Filius said. “We were very disciplined on the edge this week, where as last week we were taking ourselves out of close matches and were very sloppy on the edge.”

In the championship round, Kennelly earned an impressive 11-1 major decision over Trevor Moore.

Tyler Adams was also impressive with his pin of Eric Weaver in just 1:44. Filius also turned heads with his fall victory over growing rival Austin Shupe of Great Falls High.

Filius pinned Shupe in 3:57. Shupe is still the only wrestler to defeat Filius this season.

But the entire weekend was full of big matches and dominating results.

On Friday alone, the Ponies recorded 19 wins by way of fall through the quarterfinals. And the Ponies didn’t waste much time for the most part. Stokes had a pin in the first round that took just 13 seconds, followed by a pin in the second round that took 34 seconds. Billy had two pins that took just 36 and 21 seconds, while Tyler Adams took down his second round opponent in 50 seconds.

“Cut Bank has always been a real nice place to wrestle,” Coach Filius said. “But we also had a nice week of practice and came out sharp. The kids came out sharp in matches, too, and we were really on a roll. I was pleased.”

Another tough weekend awaits the Ponies when they travel to the Missoula Invitational Friday and Saturday.

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Pony grapplers ready to tackle the Rockies Ponies ready to add to Central A dynasty Havre High hitting stride in time for prestigious Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

A week after getting back into the groove of things with a nearly 100 percent lineup, the Havre High wrestling team now heads into another daunting weekend in Missoula.

Missoula’s annual Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic brings in talent from all over the state of Montana, as well as surrounding areas.

Last year, the Ponies took in a less-than-healthy lineup and finished as the No. 10 team. But with a full head of steam, Friday and Saturday the Ponies will look to finish a little higher in the team standings.

Teams expected to be in attendance include Great Falls High, University High, Missoula Sentinel, Lewistown, Bozeman, Mead, Coeur d’Alene, Central Valley, Belgrade, Missoula Big Sky, Kalispell Glacier, Kalispell Flathead, Ronan, Frenchtown, CMR, Butte, Bonners Ferry, Polson, Corvallis, Helena High, Clarkston, Columbia Falls, Ferris, Libby, Lake City, Missoula Hellgate, Hamilton, Superior and Helena Capital.

“We are wrestling as well as we have all year,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “I think this and state are our toughest weekends, so we are pretty excited to get down there.”

If the Ponies continue to wrestle at a high level they could challenge for the top spot. But with Great Falls High also back to near 100 percent after being down the last couple of weeks, it will be a dogfight to the very end.

And the Ponies are planning on going all out this weekend. The Class A duals take place next weekend in Lewistown, but Missoula takes center stage. The competition is through the roof, and there is a state-tournament-like atmosphere. HHS will wrestle with a sense of urgency the next couple of days and maybe even use next weekend to gain some

much-needed rest.

“We are going to go into this like it is the state tournament, and we are looking for everybody to contribute,” Filius said. “We will probably even dial back a little next week because it is a step down from where we have been.

“But we are really gelling and getting everybody to get on the same page at the same time,” Filius added.

“We have a nice team concept going and the kids care about each other and that sure makes a difference.”

And, technique-wise, the Ponies aren’t doing much wrong. Last weekend, Filius really liked how aggressive his kids came out, and mentioned how well they wrestled on the edge. Look for that to be the case again this weekend, especially from Keegan Kennelly (106) as he attempts to reclaim an individual title. But Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285) will also look to continue to wrestle well.

Brenna took fourth last year in Missoula, while Tyler Adams finished fifth, Stewart finished sixth, and Williams finished eighth.

As a team, the Ponies have yet to win this tournament under the guidance of coach Filius, but they have that chance this year.

They know it won’t be easy, though. GFH took it all the last two seasons, and even with all of the pins the Ponies got last weekend to run away with a Cut Bank title, it won’t be quite as easy this time around.

“It is going to be a high level of competition, so we probably won’t pick up all the bonus points and easy matches that we got right off the bat last weekend,” coach Filius said. “But the effort will still be there.”

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Missoula.

HHS then heads to the Class A Duals next Friday and Saturday in Lewistown.

Dynasty: Ponies have found great success as individuals and as a team ■ From Page 13 while some may look at losses as a negative thing, knowing all of his wrestlers have suffered at least one loss this season lets coach Filius know his grapplers are battle-tested.

“Everybody we’ve got has been tagged with a loss this season.” Filius said. “But that is good for them. If you go undefeated then I don’t think you have found a tough enough schedule. That is the reason we wrestle those

Great Falls schools and go to all of those tough tournaments, for that reason, and we feel like we are prepared for the post season.”

Havre will look to add another Central A banner to its dynasty Saturday in Browning.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class will move on to the Class A state tournament next Friday and Saturday in Billings.

Havre grapplers heavy favorites at Saturday's Central A Divisional in Browning Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High heavyweight Travis Adams, right, battles a Great Falls High rival at the annual Havre Invitational last month. The Blue Ponies and Bison will be among the favorites at this weekend's Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula.

It has been some time since the Havre High wrestling team has been challenged by another program in the Central A, regular season or at the divisional wrestling tournament.

Last season, the Central A Blue Ponies were crowned divisional champions, followed by another Class A state title.

The Ponies will look to take the first step in repeating last year’s feat at Saturday’s Central A Divisional in Browning.

And as the No. 1-ranked

Class A team in the state, the Ponies are the clear favorites this weekend and beyond. It will take some Pony letups and some pretty impressive matches by Belgrade, Lewistown, Livingston and Browning to take down the Central A power. The Belgrade Panthers will most likely clinch that coveted No. 2 team spot, but if it comes down to the Panthers and Ponies, the Ponies should run away comfortably, just like HHS has done so many times in the past. Under head coach Scott Filius, the Ponies have only been unseated one time in the Central A. “We have kids wrestling well right now and we have been together for a long time,” Filius said. “This group of kids, we have been packing all over the place for years, and so have their parents. We just have a lot of experience and a long background with this group of wrestlers.”

But as confident as coach Filius is with this group of wrestlers that has been together for a number of years now, young and old, he isn’t

taking this weekend lightly.

Havre has to wrestle well across the board and in every match. The Panthers are the No. 3-ranked team in the Class A and bring in a lot talent, including 98-pounder Sawyer Degan, Jarrett Degan (132), Noah Criner (152), Keevan Pickle (160) and Bryce Blumenschein (220).

The Ponies will send in Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Dane Flammond (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Gunnar Aageson (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jered Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), John Chinadle (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT), but will remain open at 98-pounds for the remainder of their season. And bringing in 17 wrestlers, the Ponies think they have a realistic chance to place all, or close to all, 17 individuals for the state tournament.

“It’s about getting as many kids into the state tourna-

ment,” Filius said. “And we are looking to place at divisionals as high as we can to help pave the way. And I would think all of our guys have the ability to place this weekend. We have 17 kids, but I am very pleased with the potential we have in those 17.”

Coach Filius is also comfortable heading into the weekend because of the success the Ponies have found through a difficult regular season schedule. Right out of the gate with the Havre Invitational, through the Mining City Duals and CMR Holiday Classic, the Ponies have found great success as individuals and as a team. And

■ See Dynasty Page 20 Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Jace Billy, left, competes in the 2013 Havre Invitational wrestling tournament back in December. Billy and the top-ranked Blue Ponies will look to win yet another Central A title Saturday in Browning.

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Blue Ponies have just Malta mat invite left Powerful Ponies place second at Jug Beck Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

This weekend marks the last time the Havre High wrestling team will take to the mat before the divisional and state tournaments.

And after a slight shift in the schedule, the Central A Blue Ponies have a relatively light weekend. But it's light in that they will go to just one event, not light in talent. Expected to be there are teams among the top in the Class B and Class C ranks.

Saturday the Ponies will compete in Malta at the Malta Invitational.

And Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Gunnar Aageson (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) are all expected to get work this weekend.

“This time of year it is

nice to wrestle people that we don’t necessarily have to wrestle,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But we used to have a bunch of duals set aside for this week, and we have kind of lost those duals. The numbers are down in Conrad so they canceled on us (Thursday), but most of our kids will get to compete in Malta. We will rest some kids if we get banged up, but right now we are pretty healthy. This is a really good Class B/C tournament. They always bring in quality teams.”

The best teams expected to compete, aside from Havre, include Forsyth, Choteau, Malta, Harlem and Chinook. Forsyth is the No. 1-ranked program in the Class B ranks, while Chinook is currently the No. 1-ranked team in the Class C. Choteau is No. 2 in Class B and Harlem is No. 4.

And there is a deep pool of talented wrestlers that the Ponies could cross paths with.

Trevor Moore of Choteau is the No. 1-ranked 106-pounder, while Forsyth’s Matt Weber is the No. 1-ranked 126-pounder. Teague Jones is

also top ranked at 132, while Luke Weber of Forsyth is the top-ranked wrestler at 145 pounds. Forsyth also brings top-ranked brothers Branden (152) and Chris Nile (160).

Malta’s Nolan Simanton is also a standout 160-pounder while Choteau’s Layne Durfee adds depth at 182. Tate Neideregger (120) highlights Chinook’s roster, while Shay Snider (126) of Harlem will present several grapplers with a tough match this weekend.

“We just want everybody to be sharp at this point,” Filius said. “Teams aren’t probably going to make up too much ground at this point in the season, so we just want the competition.

There will be some real good matches and good individuals in Malta this weekend.”

Saturday’s Malta Invite will be the final tuneup for the Blue Ponies, who will then turn their attention to defending their Central A Divisional title next Saturday in Browning. The Class A state meet is set for Feb. 14-15 in Billings.

Keegan Kennelly repeats as Havre High impresses at prestigious Rocky Mountain Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Gunnar Aageson, right, competes in the 2013 Havre Invitational wrestling tournament last month. The Blue Ponies wrap up the regular season at Saturday's Malta Invitational.

Blue Ponies win Malta Invite title with ease Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com There were some changes to the schedule this past week for the Havre High wrestling team, but HHS made the best of the mat time it could get and came up with another solid team win.

In somewhat of a light weekend, the Central A Blue Ponies took on a solid field of Class B and Class C competitors at the Malta Invitational Saturday. The No. 1-ranked Ponies made easy work of the opposition, winning the team title with 269 points. Choteau was next in line with 170, followed by Cut Bank with 122.

Other area teams also competed well. Harlem finished fourth with 110 points, while Chinook finished with 75, Big Sandy grabbed 14, and Chester/J-I finished with 13.

The Malta Invite also meant the final mat time for the Ponies before the Central A Divisional wrestling tournament, which takes place this

Saturday in Browning. And several HHS individuals really stepped up heading into the post season.

Overall, 13 Blue Pony individuals placed in the top four in Malta.

Five of those individuals also managed to earn titles, including freshman Parker Filius at 138 pounds.

Filius was also named the Kevin Salsbery Memorial Outstanding Wrestler. Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) also brought home individual titles to cap off a very successful weekend.

Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (152), Jake Williams (170) and Jace Billy (195) came close, but finished in second place after reaching the finals. Thomas Gruber (132), Gunnar Aageson (145) and Jase Stokes finished in third place, while Dane Flammond (126) finished fourth.

And the Ponies weren’t just mixing it up with Class B and Class C wrestlers, they were up against some of the top Class B and Class C grapplers in the state. A lot of the top finishers outside of the Pony wrestlers are ranked in the top of

the Class B/C ranks. Chase DeBoo of Choteau won the 98-pound weight class, while Tate Neiderigger of Chinook took home the 120-pound title. Shay Snider of Harlem (126), Teague Jones of Harlem (132), Reid VandenBos of Cut Bank (145), Trey Stone of Choteau (152), Nolan Simanton of Malta (160), Steeler French of Choteau (170), Lane Durfee of Choteau (182) and Jake French of Choteau (195) also all gave Havre a run for its money and took home team titles.

Other area places in Malta included Chinook’s Donovan Moon, who finished third at 113 pounds, Harlem’s T’Jay Allen, who finished fourth at 132 pounds, Harlem’s Brendan Johnson, who finished second at 145, Chinook’s Ken Pruttis, who placed fourth at 152, Chinook’s Jesse Daniels, who finished third at 170, Chinook’s Kevin Young and C/J-I’s Sam Deffinbaugh, who placed third and fourth at 182, respectively, Harlem’s Seth Adams, who was second at 220 and teammate Trent Noel, who was third at heavyweight.

Havre turned in another success-

ful regular season, but the Ponies look to keep rolling through divisionals and then state. Saturday, the top-ranked and heavily favored Ponies will face Browning, Lewistown, Livingston and Belgrade at the Central A Divisional tournament in Browning. Also Saturday, Harlem will host the Northern B-C Divisional.

Donovan Moon, Chinook; Shawn LeDeau, Wolf Point.

Note: Havre Daily sports editor George Ferguson contributed to this story.

145 - Reid VandenBos, Cut Bank; Brenden Johnson, Harlem; Gunner Aggeson, Havre; Evan Finstad, Cut Bank.

Malta Invitational Team scores — Havre 269 ½, Choteau 170, Cut Bank 122, Harlem 110, Glasgow 82, Chinook 75, Malta 56, Wolf Point 48, Shepherd 46 ½, Big Sandy 14, Chester/J-I 13, Circle 4, Poplar 3

120 - Tate Niederigger, Chinook; Tanner Stone, Choteau; James Spence, Shepherd; Brandi Kolski, Wolf Point 126 - Shay Snider, Harlem; Dylan Stewart, Havre; Travis Vermulm, Cut Bank; Dane Flammond, Havre.

132 - Teague Jones, Harlem; Cody King, Glasgow; Thomas Gruber, Havre; T’Jay Allen, Harlem.

138 - Parker Filius, Havre; JJ Werdal, Choteau; Jace Berkram, Cut Bank; Jake Hentges, Glasgow.

152 - Trey Stone, Choteau; Kody Pribyl, Havre; Jase Stokes, Havre; Ken Pruttis, Chinook.

160 - Nolan Simanton, Malta; Robert Jennings, Cut Bank; Tony Kaiser, Glasgow; Jordan Pierce, Malta.

170 - Steeler French, Choteau; Jake Williams, Havre; Jesse Daniels, Chinook; Kevin Frigon, Glasgow.

Order of finish

182 - Lane Durfee, Choteau; David Hopson, Wolf Point; Kevin Young, Chinook; Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI.

98 - Chase DeBoo, Choteau; James Whitmus, Shepherd; Karson Wortman, Wolf Point

195 - Jake French, Choteau; Jace Billy, Havre; Travis Field, Choteau; Jaiden LittleDog, Cut Bank.

106 - Keegan Kennelly, Havre; Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point; Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank; Trevor Moore, Choteau.

220 - Tyler Adams, Havre; Seth Adams, Harlem; Denver Krone, Choteau; Che’ LittleDog, Cut Bank.

113 - Logan Pleninger, Havre; Kasey Seyfert, Glasgow;

Hwt - Travis Adams, Havre; Kelin King, Malta; Trent Noel, Harlem; Gerome Lamb, Malta.

The Havre High wrestling team entered the weekend with high hopes of a team title at maybe the toughest tournament outside of the state tournament.

But Class AA Great Falls High had other ideas, as it was the Bison who captured their third straight team title at the annual Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula. The Bison racked up 151 points through Friday, but came alive Saturday to finish with an impressive 249 team points.

Havre wasn’t too far off from the team title. The topranked Class A Blue Ponies have an impressive lineup, and grabbed a second-place finish in what was a loaded field in Missoula. The Ponies finished with 185 points.

Havre High beat out a great pool of teams including thirdplace Central Valley from Washington (176) and fourthplace University from Washington (169).

“The big thing about getting to go over there is we finally got to see the Western A,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We don’t see them all year so it was nice to run into Columbia Falls, Libby, Polson and all those guys and see what they’ve got. But I still think it is the same, it will be us and Sidney, then Columbia Falls and Belgrade making noise for third at state.”

Belgrade finished further on down the line with 110 points, followed by Columbia Falls with 106, Polson with 44 and Libby with 38.

But en route to a secondplace finish, the Ponies placed a solid handful of grapplers once again.

Sophomore Keegan Kennelly (106) was the only individual champion on the weekend, and capped off the weekend by pinning Jon

Conklin of Missoula Big Sky in 1:59. Conklin is a returning state champion for Big Sky. But Kennelly also picked up a fall in the first round, a tech. fall in the second round, and a fall in the quarterfinals.

There were no semifinal matches reported for any weight class.

HHS senior Tyler Adams (220) also reached the prestigious finals, but finished in second place for the Ponies.

After a couple of decision and major decision wins early in the weekend, Adams wasn’t unable to get past Dylan Beeler of Clark, losing by way of pin in 6:13. Grayson Brenna (120), Thomas Gruber (132) and Parker Filius (138) finished in third place.

The three won out through the quarterfinals, but lost in the semifinals. And once in the third-place match, Brenna won an 8-7 decision, Gruber won a tight 1-0 decision, and Filius won a 7-3 decision.

But placing outside the No. 1 spot is nothing to be disappointed about as the Ponies faced some outstanding talent. Brenna had to beat a state champion from Wyoming, while Filius lost to a Washington state champion in the semis. Kennelly took the No. 1 spot, but also had to get past a state title winner from Missoula.

“The competition is good,” Coach Filius said. “We faced good kids up and down the bracket, so it was a lot of fun. It was a good weekend for the team. It is a long trip over there and it isn’t a lot of sleep or rest, but the kids responded well. I was proud of them.”

Jace Billy (195) also placed fourth after a 5-1 loss to Phoenix Duncan of Coeur d’Alene ended his weekend.

And Dustin Odegard (182) finished seventh while Kody Pribyl (145) finished eighth.

Odegard ended his weekend with a 6-3 win over Hamilton’s Tyler Scheffer while Pribyl ended his weekend with a tough 8-2 loss to Cooper Ryan of Helena.

Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Dylan Stewart (126), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170) and Travis Adams (285) also wrestled hard, but did not place.

Havre continues to impress this season but will get a slight break in the action.

With no school today the Ponies will get some rest. But

with the Class A Duals Friday and Saturday in Lewistown, the Ponies may also rest some key grapplers to prepare for another run into the post season.

Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula Team scores – Great Falls 249.5, Havre 185, Central Valley 176.6, University, 169, Bozeman 153, Big Sky 146, Sentinel 143, Powell 127.5, Mead 119.5, Coeur d’Alene 112, Belgrade 110, Columbia Falls 106, Great Falls CMR, 95, Clarkston 93.5, Helena Capital 87, Kalispell Glacier 84, Ferris 78, Helena, 68, Kalispell Flathead 60.5, Frenchtown 59, Butte 49, Hamilton 46, Corvallis 44, Polson 44, Libby 38, Lewistown 35, Lake City 35, Hellgate 20, Superior 16, Florence 14, Ronan 12.5, Bonners Ferry 8.

Placing Matches 98 Championship – Bjorn Schroeder, Boz, maj. dec. Sawyer Degen, Bel, 18-5.

Third place – Justin Gibson, Gla, dec. Cody DeVall, Fla, 4-3.

Fifth place – Nick Kunz, Cap, dec. Kaleb Maciosek, CDA, 3-2.

Seventh place – Korey Hickson, Fer, maj. dec. Denise Tecca, CV, 13-2.

106 Championship – Keegan Kennelly, Hav, pinned Jon Conklin, MBS, 1:59.

Third place – Jake Hegel, MST, pinned Carson Graham, CV, 1:14.

Fifth place – Cameron Swanson, Univ, maj. dec. Thunder Morales, Pol, 16-2.

Seventh place – Spencer Clegg, Clark, maj. dec. Cody Warner, Fre, 10-2.

113 Championship – Jarren Komac, GFH, pinned Seth Schroeck, Cap, 3:03.

Third place – Matt Petrini, Mead, maj. dec.

Demo Koures, MBS, 8-0.

Fifth place – Caleb James, Boz, pinned Anthony Parkin, Sup, 2:18.

Seventh place – Mikey Garrison, Univ, pinned Mason Fetters, CF, :36.

120 Championship – Bryson Beard, CV, dec.

Landon Bailey, Hel, 2-1.

Third place – Grayson Brenna, Hav, dec.

Kenton Evans, GFH, 8-7.

Fifth place – Chance Karst, Pow, maj. dec.

Ryder Day, Gla, 11-2.

Seventh place – Jace Kovalicky, MST, pinned Kale Evenson, Boz, 1:38.

126 Championship – Shonn Roberts, CF, maj. dec. Cameron Sorensen, Univ, 8-0.

Third place – Silas Hopkins, Boz, dec. Nic Urbach, Pow, 5-0.

Fifth place – Tommy McMillen, GFH, pinned Dylan Schulte, MST. Seventh place – Carlos Quinones, Pol, dec.

Cody Decker, Gla, 2-1.

132 Championship – Casey Dobson, GFH, dec.

Jarrett Degen, Bel, 5-4.

Third place – Thomas Gruber, Hav, dec.

Elija Kilborn, CV, 1-0.

Fifth place – Colton Parham, Pow, maj. dec. Hunter King, Mead, 11-2.

Seventh place – Torren Lawson, Flo, dec.

Dylan Cronkhite, Fer, 2-0.

138 Championship – Blake Beard, CV, dec.

Austin Shupe, GFH, 2-1.

Third place – Parker Filius, Hav, dec.

Logan McGreevey, MBS, 7-3.

Fifth place – Ben Manion, Boz, pinned Jake Marr, MST, 4:46.

Seventh place – Tyler Olsen, Cor, dec. Tate LeClaire, Mead, 7-4.

170 Championship – Luke Entzel, MBS, Austin Stannard, Univ, 1-0.

Third place – Justin Harbison, MST, Brayden Schmick, Fer, 7-1.

Fifth place – Garret Chapel, Lib, Chauncye Garigan, CV, 6-3.

Seventh place – Tel Motichka, Pol, Nick Challeen, But, 5-4.

145 Championship – Colton Orrino, CV, dec.

Cody Lemons, Fre, 11-4.

Third place – Gage Bentley, GFH, dec. Isiah Yates, CMR, 6-1.

Fifth place – Zayne Brunz, CF, dec. Kye Catlin, Pow, 4-2.

Seventh place – Cooper Ryan, Hel, dec.

Kody Pribyl, Hav, 8-2.

182 Championship – Hudson Staub, CDA, dec.

Randy Keesler, GFH, 4-3.

Third place – Alan Schmitz, Cap, dec.

Ethan Blythe, Lew, 12-7.

Fifth place – Payton Sexe, CMV, dec. Cody Wiers, Boz, 6-1.

Seventh place – Dustin Odegard, Hav, dec. Tyler Scheffer, Ham, 6-3.

152 Championship – Jared Dickson, CMR, dec.

Kessler Leonard, GFH, 4-3.

Third place – Elijah Ross, Fer, dec. Kade Branson, MBS, 5-1.

Fifth place – Zach Kies, Mead, pinned Eric Benton, Clark, :47.

Seventh place – Matt Widdicombe, Pow, dec. Bryan Shaffer, CF, 4-0.

195 Championship – Keavon Buckley, Boz, pinned Jaden Bryant, Bel, 1:39.

Third place – Phoenix Duncan, CDA, dec.

Jace Billy, Hav, 5-1.

160 Championship – John Fairbanks, Univ, dec. Jacob Davis, Pow, 7-2.

Third place – Jason Riekena, MBS, dec.

David Shepard, CV, 6-5.

Fifth place – Walker Ferda, GFH, dec. Josh Bowers, Lib, 6-0.

Seventh place – Nick Grasseschi, CMR, dec. Colton Johnson, CDA, 12-5.

dec. dec. dec. dec.

Fifth place – Michael Bumgarner, Ham, pinned Hunter Sisemore, Clark, 1:27.

Seventh place – Lee Cannon, But, maj. dec. Mateo Amatto-Cattaneo, GFH, 9-1.

220 Championship – Dylan Beeler, Clark, pinned Tyler Adams, Hav, 6:13.

Third place – Jaydn Wilson, MST, dec. Mason Ju, Mead, 7-2.

Fifth place – Bryce Blumenschein, Bel, dec. Dillon Koffman, Cap, 3-1.

Seventh place – Eric Weaver, GFH, dec.

Riley Stringer, Pow, 7-3.

285 Championship – Tate Orndorff, Univ, dec.

Matt James, CDA, 2-1.

Third place – Axel Bladholm, Fla, dec. Zach Dennehy, Gla, 5-0.

Fifth place – Spencer Ross, CF, pinned Roberto Smith, GFH, 2:24.

Seventh place – Colter Miller, MBS, dec.

Colin Hammock, MST, 4-2.

"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

18

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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15

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Ponies set to go after Class A Duals title Rustlers edge Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Preparing for the state tournament continues to be the main goal for the Havre High wrestling team, but the next step in that direction comes in the form of the annual Class A Duals.

Havre High will spend another weekend on the road, this time in Lewistown. Friday, the Central A Blue Ponies will dual Hardin, Anaconda and Miles City. Depending on how the No. 1 Ponies do Friday determines whom they face Saturday. Hardin is also the No. 7 team in Class A according to the most recent coaches poll.

But the Ponies should be able to cruise through the weekend. The lineup will be at 100 percent, but as the weekend progresses head coach Scott Filius may adjust things to get certain kids extra matches, as well as get kids rest when necessary. Wrestling this weekend will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

Kennelly, Billy and Tyler Adams are currently ranked No. 1 in their

respective weight classes. And Brenna and Filius are ranked No. 2, while Pleninger, Stewart, Gruber and Pribyl are ranked No. 3.

“I would think that we are too deep for those teams,” Coach Scott Filius said. “But out of 20 some teams in Class A, we will get to see 16 of them down there, it is great from that perspective. We have gone down there in other years and faced teams that have had great depth, but this year that doesn’t happen to be that case. But we get to see almost everybody in the Class A, and we have three weeks before Billings (state), so we still have time to fix stuff and get better with these opportunities.”

While the Ponies should be able

to handle their own in the duals, some of the Pony wrestlers will be faced with some tough individual matchups.

Miles City is way down this year, but Hardin and Anaconda will throw some good talent at the Ponies. Both teams are very good from about 145 pounds to 285, and also have ranked talent.

At 145-pounds Pribyl could run into No. 1 ranked Bryan Armstrong of Anaconda. And at 152-pounds Stokes could run into No. 1 ranked Mason Mavinac of Anaconda, while No. 1 ranked Ethan Reich (170) of Anaconda could also cross paths with Williams. But Hardin also has some ranked grapplers. Stokes could run into a No. 2 in Shawn

Purcell, while Billy may also see a No. 2 in Michael Bumgarner.

The Ponies are focused on resting up, staying healthy and continuing to get better. And with state just around the corner, they are looking forward to taking advantage of every opportunity.

“We are just going to take what we do and hopefully do it better,” Filius said. “Not only this weekend, but the next three weeks.”

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Lewistown for the annual Class A Duals. Following the Class A Duals, Havre then has just three road duals left before the Central A Divisional Feb. 8 in Browning and All-Class State tournament .

Ponies are Class A Dual champions Havre topples rival Belgrade to capture Class A Duals title in Lewistown Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com As the No. 1-ranked team in Class A wrestling, the Havre High wrestling team was expected nothing less than to be the best dual team in the division, too. And after five dominating duals and a team title, that is exactly what the Blue Ponies are.

The Central A Ponies spent the weekend on the road, competing in Lewistown at the annual Class A Duals. And while not every Class A team was in attendance, it was clear that the Ponies were the superior program, eventually knocking off Belgrade 55-25 in the championship dual.

All-in-all, the Ponies wrestled five duals over the two days.

Friday, HHS defeated three opponents in round-robin action.

The Ponies defeated Hardin 66-21, Anaconda 65-18, and Miles City 826. The 3-0 romping of the competition put the Ponies in Saturday’s semifinals, where they also took down Laurel in impressive fashion, manhandling the Locomotives 7510. The Ponies were near perfect on the weekend, individually and as a team. In five duals, the Ponies wrestled 75 matches and lost just 16 times.

HHS also only lost back-to-back matches on three occasions, making it extremely easy to dominate

duals from start to finish over the two-day affair.

“We had a really good weekend.

We doubled up Belgrade in the championship, and I think that is always pretty good,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “The kids wrestled really well all weekend, and we had a bunch of different kids step up. Jake Williams and Jase Stokes both had great weekends, and that was nice to see. But we also got a lot of matches for our junior varsity kids, and I was pleased with everybody.”

Williams and Stokes haven’t been wrestling poorly this season, coach Filius just stated he has been waiting for them to settle into a groove of consistency. Both did that as both Stokes and Williams went 4-1 on the weekend. Both also finished off the weekend with wins.

Against the Panthers, Stokes (152) earned a 14-3 major decision, while Williams won by fall in 5:18.

And after a great weekend, the

The kids wrestled really well all weekend, and we had a bunch of different kids step up.

Scott Filius, Havre High Wrestling Coach

majority of the HHS lineup finished up with wins over Belgrade in the championship dual.

Tate Munyan (98), Thomas Gruber (132), Gunnar Aageson (138), Jared Laux (160) and Dustin

Odegard (182) all suffered losses in the finals, but still shined prior.

Munyan finished the weekend 2-3 while Odegard finished 3-2, Gruber finished 4-1, Aageson finished 2-1, and Laux unfortunately finished 0-5, but gained a lot of experience.

But also in the chipper, Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (145), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) all came away with wins.

Kennelly earned a fall in 1:20, Brenna earned a fall in 1:19, Jace Billy earned a fall in 2:41, and Travis Adams earned a fall in just 29 seconds. Tyler Adams also earned a 3-2 decision, while Pleninger, Stewart and Pribyl all won by forfeit.

Kennelly, Pleninger, Brenna, Stewart, Billy and Tyler Adams also all finished the weekend with 5-0 records. Travis Adams and Pribyl both finished 4-1. Parker Filius also wrestled, but was in and out of the lineup to get Aageson some extra matches. Filius went 2-0.

The wins were important for the Ponies, but so was the chance to get kids extra work against competition the Ponies will see shortly at the state tournament.

“We got to see a lot of those kids that we will see at state, and I was pleased with how our kids performed,” coach Filius said. “You always worry about things this time of year, about injury or whatever, but we are competing at a high level right now. I was really impressed with some of our kids.”

Tuesday the Ponies are back in action when they travel to Great Falls to dual the Class AA CMR Rustlers.

gard Havre p. K Howe Laurel :48; 195: J Billy Havre by FF ; 220: T Adams Havre by FF ; 285: T Adams Havre p. B Connolly Laurel :48 Havre 66, Hardin 21 98 E LaFontain Hardin p. T Munyan Havre, 2:12; 106 K Kennelly Havre by forfeit; 113 L. Pleninger Havre p. P. Risingsun (Hardin), 1:04; 120 G Brenna (Havre) won by forfiet; 126 D. Stewart (Havre) p. C Metcalf (Hardin), 4:29; 132 T Gruber (Havre) won by forfiet; 138 G Aageson (Havre) p.

G Ramirez (Hardin), 4:45; 145 K Pribyl (Havre) p. P Tayne (Hardin), 5:222; 152 S Purcell (Hardin) defeated J Stokes (Havre) 9-5; 160 T Delp (Hardin) p. J Laux (Havre), 1:09; 170 J Williams (Havre) p. C Fredricks (Hardin), 2:33; 182 C Murdock (Hardin) p. D Odegard (Havre), 3:22; 195 J Billy (Havre) p. X Scott (Hardin), :24; 220 T Adams (Havre) p. L Rides Horse (Hardin), :53; HWT T Adams (Havre) p. R Becker (Hardin), 3:12

Class A Duals Championship Havre 55, Belgrade 25 98: S Degen Belgrade p. T Munyan Havre: 1:38; 106: K Kennelly Havre p. B Rockwell Belgrade 1:20; 113: L Pleninger Havre by FF ; 120: G Brenna Havre p. S Noble Belgrade 1:19; 126: D Stewart Havre by FF ; 132: J Degen Belgrade Dec T Gruber Havre 7-6; 138: L Degen Belgrade major dec over G Aageson Havre 11-2; 145: K Pribyl Havre by FF ; 152: J Stokes Havre major dec over N Criner Belrade 14-3; 160: K Pickle Belgrade p. J Laux Havre 1:25; 170: J Williams Havre p. G Blewett Belgrade 5:18; 182: R Cunningham Belgrade p. D Odegard Havre 3:11; 195: J Billy Havre p. J Bryant Belgrade 2:41; 220: T Adams Havre dec B Blumenschein Belgrade 3-2; 285: T Adams Havre p. J Murillo Belgrade :29 Semifinals Havre 75, Laurel 10 98: A Gontarek Laurel major dec over T Munyan Havre 12-2; 106: K Kennelly Havre by FF ; 113: L Pleniger Havre p. J Shovar Laurel 1:08; 120: G Brenna Havre dec C Carter Laurel 11-9 OT; 126: D Stewart Havre p. C Ludwig Laurel 1:22; 132: T Gruber Havre p. RJ Gill Laurel 2:46; 138: P Filius Havre p. B McBurney Laurel 1:00; 145: K Pribyl Havre p. T Bransetter Laurel :20; 152: J Stokes Havre p. J Prellar Laurel 3:18; 160: K Cannon Laurel p. J Laux Havre 3:11; 170: J Williams Havre p. J Jares Laurel :43; 182: D Ode-

Ponies on the mat

Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com The CMR Fieldhouse was not a welcoming atmosphere to the Havre High wrestling team Tuesday night, as the Class AA CMR Rustlers sent the top-ranked Central A Blue Ponies away with a rare dual loss.

Going head to head in Great Falls, the fourth-ranked Rustlers, coached by former Blue Pony Aaron Jensen, defeated the Ponies 42-39.

The biggest story in Tuesday night’s action was the matches the Rustlers were able to turn around against the Ponies. Jace Billy (195) and Dustin Odegard (182) have dominated recent matches against Payton Sexe and Noah Danielson, respectively, but this time around the script was flipped. That was crucial in CMR’s three-point win as CMR took a three-point lead with Sexe’s 8-4 decision over Billy. Nick Nordell also followed with a pin over the Ponies’ John Chinadle (220) in 3:52 to seal the deal.

The night ended with Havre’s Tyler Adams (HWT) pinning K.J. Klingaman in 1:25.

Unfortunately, the Ponies were without top-ranked Keegan Kennelly (106) and that forfeit proved costly in a dual dominated by pins on both sides. Six HHS grapplers did earn wins. Logan Pleninger (113) pinned Gavin Martin in 28 seconds and Grayson Brenna (120) followed with a pin over Tanner Tovson

in 1:01. Dylan Stewart (126) also pinned David Bennyhoff in 28 seconds, while Thomas Gruber (132) pinned Tanner Grubb in 5:05.

Parker Filius (138) pinned Chase Marmon in 5:35 and Jake Williams earned a 7-1 decision over Travis Brugman.

Aside from the crucial wins in the upper weights, CMR also beat Blue Ponies four more matches. Devin Altenberg pinned Tate Munyan (98) in 1:22, Isiah Yates pinned Kody Pribyl (145) in 3:02, Jared Dickson pinned Jase Stokes (152) in 3:30 and Nick Grassechi pinned Jared Laux (160) in 4:05.

Since Havre will not be making the trip to Conrad Thursday night, the Ponies’ dual season has come to an end. The Ponies will attend the Malta Invitational Saturday.

CMR 42, Havre 39

98—Devin Altenberg, CMR, pinned Tate Munyan, 1:22; 106— Noah Doney, CMR, won by forfeit; 113—Logan Pleninger, Havre, pinned Gavin Martin, :28; 120—Grayson Brenna, Havre, pinned Tanner Tovson, 1:01; 126—Dylan Stewart, Havre, pinned David Bennyhoff, :28; 132—Thomas Gruber, Havre, pinned Tanner Grubb, 5:05; 138—Parker Filius, Havre, pinned Chase Marmon, 5:35; 145—Isiah Yates, CMR, pinned Kody Pribyl, 3:02; 152—Jared Dickson, CMR, pinned Jase Stokes, 3:30; 160—Nick Grassechi, CMR, pinned Jared Laux, 4:05; 170—Jake Williams, Havre, dec. Travis Brugman, 7-1; 182—Noah Danielson, CMR, dec. Dustin Odegard, 6-5; 195—Payton Sexe, CMR, dec. Jace Billy, 8-4; 220—Nick Nordell, CMR, pinned John Chinadle, 3:52; Hwt—Tyler Adams, Havre, pinned K.J. Klingaman, 1:25.

Havre 65, Anaconda 18 98: T Munyan Havre: by forfeit ; 106: K Kennelly Havre p. C Meyer Anaconda 4:24; 113: L Pleninger Havre p. T Smollach Anaconda :57; 120: G Brenna Havre major d. over B Bisca 155; 126: D Stewart Havre p. S Ueland Anaconda :32; 132: T Gruber Havre p. D Vaughan Anaconda 1:27; 138: P Filius Havre p. B Thompson Anaconda 2:51; 145: B Armstrong Anaconda d. K Pribyl Havre 9-2; 152: J Stokes Havre p. M Maurimac Anaconda 5:47; 160: JJ Zenahlik Anaconda p.

J Laux Havre 3:37; 170: E Reich Anaconda d.

J Williams Havre 4-0; 182: D Odegard Havre p.

G Molina Anaconda 1:20; 195: J Billy Havre p.

S Tweedy Anaconda 1:20; 220: T Adams Havre by forfeit; 285: B Wigert Anaconda p. T Adams Havre 3:48 Havre 82, Miles City 6 98: T Munyan Havre by forfeit; 103: K Kennelly Havre p. E Schaff MC :26; 113: L Pleninger Havre p. P Nesethon MC :33; 120: G Brenna Havre technical fall over B Blunahagen MC 16-1; 126: D Stewart Havre p. H Meged MC :22; 132: T Gruber Havre p. T Watts MC 3:06; 138: G Aageson Havre by forfeit; 145: K Pribyl Havre p. W Smith MC :24; 152: J Stokes Havre p. S Salcido MC 1:39; 160: J Sundgren MC p. J Laux Havre 1:59; 170: J Williams Havre by forfeit; 182: D Odegard Havre by forfeit; 195: J Billy Havre by forfeit; 220: T Adams Havre p. C Dickman MC :32; 285: T Adams Havre p. A Bradford MC: :14.

Great Falls Tribune/Rion Sanders CMR's David Bennyhoff, left, wrestles against Havre's Dylan Stewart Tuesday evening in the CMR Fieldhouse. The Rustlers beat the Ponies 42-39.

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16

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

17

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Congratulations Blue Ponies! m

the gy n i e d a m t ' n ons are

champi

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E R A S N O I P CHAM M MADE FRO THEY G SOMETHIN IN THEM HAVE DEEP

E R I S E D A A DREAM N O I S I V A

THE QUEST ION IS NOT WH

O IS STRON G E R ?

IT IS

WHO HAS M ORE HEAR T?

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"You got to go

& you got to fi ght,

out there

fight, & keep o n

FIGHTING.

That is how I'm going to w in."

Tony Ramos

, D O O G T U O B A H S ' G T U I " O T , D HAR " . . .

G N I L T S E R W

ANDS TOM BR

16

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

17

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Congratulations Blue Ponies! m

the gy n i e d a m t ' n ons are

champi

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2014 CLASS A

E R A S N O I P CHAM M MADE FRO THEY G SOMETHIN IN THEM HAVE DEEP

E R I S E D A A DREAM N O I S I V A

THE QUEST ION IS NOT WH

O IS STRON G E R ?

IT IS

WHO HAS M ORE HEAR T?

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"You got to go

& you got to fi ght,

out there

fight, & keep o n

FIGHTING.

That is how I'm going to w in."

Tony Ramos

, D O O G T U O B A H S ' G T U I " O T , D HAR " . . .

G N I L T S E R W

ANDS TOM BR

18

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

15

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Ponies set to go after Class A Duals title Rustlers edge Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Preparing for the state tournament continues to be the main goal for the Havre High wrestling team, but the next step in that direction comes in the form of the annual Class A Duals.

Havre High will spend another weekend on the road, this time in Lewistown. Friday, the Central A Blue Ponies will dual Hardin, Anaconda and Miles City. Depending on how the No. 1 Ponies do Friday determines whom they face Saturday. Hardin is also the No. 7 team in Class A according to the most recent coaches poll.

But the Ponies should be able to cruise through the weekend. The lineup will be at 100 percent, but as the weekend progresses head coach Scott Filius may adjust things to get certain kids extra matches, as well as get kids rest when necessary. Wrestling this weekend will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

Kennelly, Billy and Tyler Adams are currently ranked No. 1 in their

respective weight classes. And Brenna and Filius are ranked No. 2, while Pleninger, Stewart, Gruber and Pribyl are ranked No. 3.

“I would think that we are too deep for those teams,” Coach Scott Filius said. “But out of 20 some teams in Class A, we will get to see 16 of them down there, it is great from that perspective. We have gone down there in other years and faced teams that have had great depth, but this year that doesn’t happen to be that case. But we get to see almost everybody in the Class A, and we have three weeks before Billings (state), so we still have time to fix stuff and get better with these opportunities.”

While the Ponies should be able

to handle their own in the duals, some of the Pony wrestlers will be faced with some tough individual matchups.

Miles City is way down this year, but Hardin and Anaconda will throw some good talent at the Ponies. Both teams are very good from about 145 pounds to 285, and also have ranked talent.

At 145-pounds Pribyl could run into No. 1 ranked Bryan Armstrong of Anaconda. And at 152-pounds Stokes could run into No. 1 ranked Mason Mavinac of Anaconda, while No. 1 ranked Ethan Reich (170) of Anaconda could also cross paths with Williams. But Hardin also has some ranked grapplers. Stokes could run into a No. 2 in Shawn

Purcell, while Billy may also see a No. 2 in Michael Bumgarner.

The Ponies are focused on resting up, staying healthy and continuing to get better. And with state just around the corner, they are looking forward to taking advantage of every opportunity.

“We are just going to take what we do and hopefully do it better,” Filius said. “Not only this weekend, but the next three weeks.”

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Lewistown for the annual Class A Duals. Following the Class A Duals, Havre then has just three road duals left before the Central A Divisional Feb. 8 in Browning and All-Class State tournament .

Ponies are Class A Dual champions Havre topples rival Belgrade to capture Class A Duals title in Lewistown Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com As the No. 1-ranked team in Class A wrestling, the Havre High wrestling team was expected nothing less than to be the best dual team in the division, too. And after five dominating duals and a team title, that is exactly what the Blue Ponies are.

The Central A Ponies spent the weekend on the road, competing in Lewistown at the annual Class A Duals. And while not every Class A team was in attendance, it was clear that the Ponies were the superior program, eventually knocking off Belgrade 55-25 in the championship dual.

All-in-all, the Ponies wrestled five duals over the two days.

Friday, HHS defeated three opponents in round-robin action.

The Ponies defeated Hardin 66-21, Anaconda 65-18, and Miles City 826. The 3-0 romping of the competition put the Ponies in Saturday’s semifinals, where they also took down Laurel in impressive fashion, manhandling the Locomotives 7510. The Ponies were near perfect on the weekend, individually and as a team. In five duals, the Ponies wrestled 75 matches and lost just 16 times.

HHS also only lost back-to-back matches on three occasions, making it extremely easy to dominate

duals from start to finish over the two-day affair.

“We had a really good weekend.

We doubled up Belgrade in the championship, and I think that is always pretty good,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “The kids wrestled really well all weekend, and we had a bunch of different kids step up. Jake Williams and Jase Stokes both had great weekends, and that was nice to see. But we also got a lot of matches for our junior varsity kids, and I was pleased with everybody.”

Williams and Stokes haven’t been wrestling poorly this season, coach Filius just stated he has been waiting for them to settle into a groove of consistency. Both did that as both Stokes and Williams went 4-1 on the weekend. Both also finished off the weekend with wins.

Against the Panthers, Stokes (152) earned a 14-3 major decision, while Williams won by fall in 5:18.

And after a great weekend, the

The kids wrestled really well all weekend, and we had a bunch of different kids step up.

Scott Filius, Havre High Wrestling Coach

majority of the HHS lineup finished up with wins over Belgrade in the championship dual.

Tate Munyan (98), Thomas Gruber (132), Gunnar Aageson (138), Jared Laux (160) and Dustin

Odegard (182) all suffered losses in the finals, but still shined prior.

Munyan finished the weekend 2-3 while Odegard finished 3-2, Gruber finished 4-1, Aageson finished 2-1, and Laux unfortunately finished 0-5, but gained a lot of experience.

But also in the chipper, Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (145), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) all came away with wins.

Kennelly earned a fall in 1:20, Brenna earned a fall in 1:19, Jace Billy earned a fall in 2:41, and Travis Adams earned a fall in just 29 seconds. Tyler Adams also earned a 3-2 decision, while Pleninger, Stewart and Pribyl all won by forfeit.

Kennelly, Pleninger, Brenna, Stewart, Billy and Tyler Adams also all finished the weekend with 5-0 records. Travis Adams and Pribyl both finished 4-1. Parker Filius also wrestled, but was in and out of the lineup to get Aageson some extra matches. Filius went 2-0.

The wins were important for the Ponies, but so was the chance to get kids extra work against competition the Ponies will see shortly at the state tournament.

“We got to see a lot of those kids that we will see at state, and I was pleased with how our kids performed,” coach Filius said. “You always worry about things this time of year, about injury or whatever, but we are competing at a high level right now. I was really impressed with some of our kids.”

Tuesday the Ponies are back in action when they travel to Great Falls to dual the Class AA CMR Rustlers.

gard Havre p. K Howe Laurel :48; 195: J Billy Havre by FF ; 220: T Adams Havre by FF ; 285: T Adams Havre p. B Connolly Laurel :48 Havre 66, Hardin 21 98 E LaFontain Hardin p. T Munyan Havre, 2:12; 106 K Kennelly Havre by forfeit; 113 L. Pleninger Havre p. P. Risingsun (Hardin), 1:04; 120 G Brenna (Havre) won by forfiet; 126 D. Stewart (Havre) p. C Metcalf (Hardin), 4:29; 132 T Gruber (Havre) won by forfiet; 138 G Aageson (Havre) p.

G Ramirez (Hardin), 4:45; 145 K Pribyl (Havre) p. P Tayne (Hardin), 5:222; 152 S Purcell (Hardin) defeated J Stokes (Havre) 9-5; 160 T Delp (Hardin) p. J Laux (Havre), 1:09; 170 J Williams (Havre) p. C Fredricks (Hardin), 2:33; 182 C Murdock (Hardin) p. D Odegard (Havre), 3:22; 195 J Billy (Havre) p. X Scott (Hardin), :24; 220 T Adams (Havre) p. L Rides Horse (Hardin), :53; HWT T Adams (Havre) p. R Becker (Hardin), 3:12

Class A Duals Championship Havre 55, Belgrade 25 98: S Degen Belgrade p. T Munyan Havre: 1:38; 106: K Kennelly Havre p. B Rockwell Belgrade 1:20; 113: L Pleninger Havre by FF ; 120: G Brenna Havre p. S Noble Belgrade 1:19; 126: D Stewart Havre by FF ; 132: J Degen Belgrade Dec T Gruber Havre 7-6; 138: L Degen Belgrade major dec over G Aageson Havre 11-2; 145: K Pribyl Havre by FF ; 152: J Stokes Havre major dec over N Criner Belrade 14-3; 160: K Pickle Belgrade p. J Laux Havre 1:25; 170: J Williams Havre p. G Blewett Belgrade 5:18; 182: R Cunningham Belgrade p. D Odegard Havre 3:11; 195: J Billy Havre p. J Bryant Belgrade 2:41; 220: T Adams Havre dec B Blumenschein Belgrade 3-2; 285: T Adams Havre p. J Murillo Belgrade :29 Semifinals Havre 75, Laurel 10 98: A Gontarek Laurel major dec over T Munyan Havre 12-2; 106: K Kennelly Havre by FF ; 113: L Pleniger Havre p. J Shovar Laurel 1:08; 120: G Brenna Havre dec C Carter Laurel 11-9 OT; 126: D Stewart Havre p. C Ludwig Laurel 1:22; 132: T Gruber Havre p. RJ Gill Laurel 2:46; 138: P Filius Havre p. B McBurney Laurel 1:00; 145: K Pribyl Havre p. T Bransetter Laurel :20; 152: J Stokes Havre p. J Prellar Laurel 3:18; 160: K Cannon Laurel p. J Laux Havre 3:11; 170: J Williams Havre p. J Jares Laurel :43; 182: D Ode-

Ponies on the mat

Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com The CMR Fieldhouse was not a welcoming atmosphere to the Havre High wrestling team Tuesday night, as the Class AA CMR Rustlers sent the top-ranked Central A Blue Ponies away with a rare dual loss.

Going head to head in Great Falls, the fourth-ranked Rustlers, coached by former Blue Pony Aaron Jensen, defeated the Ponies 42-39.

The biggest story in Tuesday night’s action was the matches the Rustlers were able to turn around against the Ponies. Jace Billy (195) and Dustin Odegard (182) have dominated recent matches against Payton Sexe and Noah Danielson, respectively, but this time around the script was flipped. That was crucial in CMR’s three-point win as CMR took a three-point lead with Sexe’s 8-4 decision over Billy. Nick Nordell also followed with a pin over the Ponies’ John Chinadle (220) in 3:52 to seal the deal.

The night ended with Havre’s Tyler Adams (HWT) pinning K.J. Klingaman in 1:25.

Unfortunately, the Ponies were without top-ranked Keegan Kennelly (106) and that forfeit proved costly in a dual dominated by pins on both sides. Six HHS grapplers did earn wins. Logan Pleninger (113) pinned Gavin Martin in 28 seconds and Grayson Brenna (120) followed with a pin over Tanner Tovson

in 1:01. Dylan Stewart (126) also pinned David Bennyhoff in 28 seconds, while Thomas Gruber (132) pinned Tanner Grubb in 5:05.

Parker Filius (138) pinned Chase Marmon in 5:35 and Jake Williams earned a 7-1 decision over Travis Brugman.

Aside from the crucial wins in the upper weights, CMR also beat Blue Ponies four more matches. Devin Altenberg pinned Tate Munyan (98) in 1:22, Isiah Yates pinned Kody Pribyl (145) in 3:02, Jared Dickson pinned Jase Stokes (152) in 3:30 and Nick Grassechi pinned Jared Laux (160) in 4:05.

Since Havre will not be making the trip to Conrad Thursday night, the Ponies’ dual season has come to an end. The Ponies will attend the Malta Invitational Saturday.

CMR 42, Havre 39

98—Devin Altenberg, CMR, pinned Tate Munyan, 1:22; 106— Noah Doney, CMR, won by forfeit; 113—Logan Pleninger, Havre, pinned Gavin Martin, :28; 120—Grayson Brenna, Havre, pinned Tanner Tovson, 1:01; 126—Dylan Stewart, Havre, pinned David Bennyhoff, :28; 132—Thomas Gruber, Havre, pinned Tanner Grubb, 5:05; 138—Parker Filius, Havre, pinned Chase Marmon, 5:35; 145—Isiah Yates, CMR, pinned Kody Pribyl, 3:02; 152—Jared Dickson, CMR, pinned Jase Stokes, 3:30; 160—Nick Grassechi, CMR, pinned Jared Laux, 4:05; 170—Jake Williams, Havre, dec. Travis Brugman, 7-1; 182—Noah Danielson, CMR, dec. Dustin Odegard, 6-5; 195—Payton Sexe, CMR, dec. Jace Billy, 8-4; 220—Nick Nordell, CMR, pinned John Chinadle, 3:52; Hwt—Tyler Adams, Havre, pinned K.J. Klingaman, 1:25.

Havre 65, Anaconda 18 98: T Munyan Havre: by forfeit ; 106: K Kennelly Havre p. C Meyer Anaconda 4:24; 113: L Pleninger Havre p. T Smollach Anaconda :57; 120: G Brenna Havre major d. over B Bisca 155; 126: D Stewart Havre p. S Ueland Anaconda :32; 132: T Gruber Havre p. D Vaughan Anaconda 1:27; 138: P Filius Havre p. B Thompson Anaconda 2:51; 145: B Armstrong Anaconda d. K Pribyl Havre 9-2; 152: J Stokes Havre p. M Maurimac Anaconda 5:47; 160: JJ Zenahlik Anaconda p.

J Laux Havre 3:37; 170: E Reich Anaconda d.

J Williams Havre 4-0; 182: D Odegard Havre p.

G Molina Anaconda 1:20; 195: J Billy Havre p.

S Tweedy Anaconda 1:20; 220: T Adams Havre by forfeit; 285: B Wigert Anaconda p. T Adams Havre 3:48 Havre 82, Miles City 6 98: T Munyan Havre by forfeit; 103: K Kennelly Havre p. E Schaff MC :26; 113: L Pleninger Havre p. P Nesethon MC :33; 120: G Brenna Havre technical fall over B Blunahagen MC 16-1; 126: D Stewart Havre p. H Meged MC :22; 132: T Gruber Havre p. T Watts MC 3:06; 138: G Aageson Havre by forfeit; 145: K Pribyl Havre p. W Smith MC :24; 152: J Stokes Havre p. S Salcido MC 1:39; 160: J Sundgren MC p. J Laux Havre 1:59; 170: J Williams Havre by forfeit; 182: D Odegard Havre by forfeit; 195: J Billy Havre by forfeit; 220: T Adams Havre p. C Dickman MC :32; 285: T Adams Havre p. A Bradford MC: :14.

Great Falls Tribune/Rion Sanders CMR's David Bennyhoff, left, wrestles against Havre's Dylan Stewart Tuesday evening in the CMR Fieldhouse. The Rustlers beat the Ponies 42-39.

www.havredailynews.com

14

2014 CLASS A

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2014

www.havredailynews.com

19

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Blue Ponies have just Malta mat invite left Powerful Ponies place second at Jug Beck Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

This weekend marks the last time the Havre High wrestling team will take to the mat before the divisional and state tournaments.

And after a slight shift in the schedule, the Central A Blue Ponies have a relatively light weekend. But it's light in that they will go to just one event, not light in talent. Expected to be there are teams among the top in the Class B and Class C ranks.

Saturday the Ponies will compete in Malta at the Malta Invitational.

And Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Gunnar Aageson (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) are all expected to get work this weekend.

“This time of year it is

nice to wrestle people that we don’t necessarily have to wrestle,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But we used to have a bunch of duals set aside for this week, and we have kind of lost those duals. The numbers are down in Conrad so they canceled on us (Thursday), but most of our kids will get to compete in Malta. We will rest some kids if we get banged up, but right now we are pretty healthy. This is a really good Class B/C tournament. They always bring in quality teams.”

The best teams expected to compete, aside from Havre, include Forsyth, Choteau, Malta, Harlem and Chinook. Forsyth is the No. 1-ranked program in the Class B ranks, while Chinook is currently the No. 1-ranked team in the Class C. Choteau is No. 2 in Class B and Harlem is No. 4.

And there is a deep pool of talented wrestlers that the Ponies could cross paths with.

Trevor Moore of Choteau is the No. 1-ranked 106-pounder, while Forsyth’s Matt Weber is the No. 1-ranked 126-pounder. Teague Jones is

also top ranked at 132, while Luke Weber of Forsyth is the top-ranked wrestler at 145 pounds. Forsyth also brings top-ranked brothers Branden (152) and Chris Nile (160).

Malta’s Nolan Simanton is also a standout 160-pounder while Choteau’s Layne Durfee adds depth at 182. Tate Neideregger (120) highlights Chinook’s roster, while Shay Snider (126) of Harlem will present several grapplers with a tough match this weekend.

“We just want everybody to be sharp at this point,” Filius said. “Teams aren’t probably going to make up too much ground at this point in the season, so we just want the competition.

There will be some real good matches and good individuals in Malta this weekend.”

Saturday’s Malta Invite will be the final tuneup for the Blue Ponies, who will then turn their attention to defending their Central A Divisional title next Saturday in Browning. The Class A state meet is set for Feb. 14-15 in Billings.

Keegan Kennelly repeats as Havre High impresses at prestigious Rocky Mountain Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Gunnar Aageson, right, competes in the 2013 Havre Invitational wrestling tournament last month. The Blue Ponies wrap up the regular season at Saturday's Malta Invitational.

Blue Ponies win Malta Invite title with ease Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com There were some changes to the schedule this past week for the Havre High wrestling team, but HHS made the best of the mat time it could get and came up with another solid team win.

In somewhat of a light weekend, the Central A Blue Ponies took on a solid field of Class B and Class C competitors at the Malta Invitational Saturday. The No. 1-ranked Ponies made easy work of the opposition, winning the team title with 269 points. Choteau was next in line with 170, followed by Cut Bank with 122.

Other area teams also competed well. Harlem finished fourth with 110 points, while Chinook finished with 75, Big Sandy grabbed 14, and Chester/J-I finished with 13.

The Malta Invite also meant the final mat time for the Ponies before the Central A Divisional wrestling tournament, which takes place this

Saturday in Browning. And several HHS individuals really stepped up heading into the post season.

Overall, 13 Blue Pony individuals placed in the top four in Malta.

Five of those individuals also managed to earn titles, including freshman Parker Filius at 138 pounds.

Filius was also named the Kevin Salsbery Memorial Outstanding Wrestler. Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT) also brought home individual titles to cap off a very successful weekend.

Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (152), Jake Williams (170) and Jace Billy (195) came close, but finished in second place after reaching the finals. Thomas Gruber (132), Gunnar Aageson (145) and Jase Stokes finished in third place, while Dane Flammond (126) finished fourth.

And the Ponies weren’t just mixing it up with Class B and Class C wrestlers, they were up against some of the top Class B and Class C grapplers in the state. A lot of the top finishers outside of the Pony wrestlers are ranked in the top of

the Class B/C ranks. Chase DeBoo of Choteau won the 98-pound weight class, while Tate Neiderigger of Chinook took home the 120-pound title. Shay Snider of Harlem (126), Teague Jones of Harlem (132), Reid VandenBos of Cut Bank (145), Trey Stone of Choteau (152), Nolan Simanton of Malta (160), Steeler French of Choteau (170), Lane Durfee of Choteau (182) and Jake French of Choteau (195) also all gave Havre a run for its money and took home team titles.

Other area places in Malta included Chinook’s Donovan Moon, who finished third at 113 pounds, Harlem’s T’Jay Allen, who finished fourth at 132 pounds, Harlem’s Brendan Johnson, who finished second at 145, Chinook’s Ken Pruttis, who placed fourth at 152, Chinook’s Jesse Daniels, who finished third at 170, Chinook’s Kevin Young and C/J-I’s Sam Deffinbaugh, who placed third and fourth at 182, respectively, Harlem’s Seth Adams, who was second at 220 and teammate Trent Noel, who was third at heavyweight.

Havre turned in another success-

ful regular season, but the Ponies look to keep rolling through divisionals and then state. Saturday, the top-ranked and heavily favored Ponies will face Browning, Lewistown, Livingston and Belgrade at the Central A Divisional tournament in Browning. Also Saturday, Harlem will host the Northern B-C Divisional.

Donovan Moon, Chinook; Shawn LeDeau, Wolf Point.

Note: Havre Daily sports editor George Ferguson contributed to this story.

145 - Reid VandenBos, Cut Bank; Brenden Johnson, Harlem; Gunner Aggeson, Havre; Evan Finstad, Cut Bank.

Malta Invitational Team scores — Havre 269 ½, Choteau 170, Cut Bank 122, Harlem 110, Glasgow 82, Chinook 75, Malta 56, Wolf Point 48, Shepherd 46 ½, Big Sandy 14, Chester/J-I 13, Circle 4, Poplar 3

120 - Tate Niederigger, Chinook; Tanner Stone, Choteau; James Spence, Shepherd; Brandi Kolski, Wolf Point 126 - Shay Snider, Harlem; Dylan Stewart, Havre; Travis Vermulm, Cut Bank; Dane Flammond, Havre.

132 - Teague Jones, Harlem; Cody King, Glasgow; Thomas Gruber, Havre; T’Jay Allen, Harlem.

138 - Parker Filius, Havre; JJ Werdal, Choteau; Jace Berkram, Cut Bank; Jake Hentges, Glasgow.

152 - Trey Stone, Choteau; Kody Pribyl, Havre; Jase Stokes, Havre; Ken Pruttis, Chinook.

160 - Nolan Simanton, Malta; Robert Jennings, Cut Bank; Tony Kaiser, Glasgow; Jordan Pierce, Malta.

170 - Steeler French, Choteau; Jake Williams, Havre; Jesse Daniels, Chinook; Kevin Frigon, Glasgow.

Order of finish

182 - Lane Durfee, Choteau; David Hopson, Wolf Point; Kevin Young, Chinook; Sam Deffinbaugh, CJI.

98 - Chase DeBoo, Choteau; James Whitmus, Shepherd; Karson Wortman, Wolf Point

195 - Jake French, Choteau; Jace Billy, Havre; Travis Field, Choteau; Jaiden LittleDog, Cut Bank.

106 - Keegan Kennelly, Havre; Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point; Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank; Trevor Moore, Choteau.

220 - Tyler Adams, Havre; Seth Adams, Harlem; Denver Krone, Choteau; Che’ LittleDog, Cut Bank.

113 - Logan Pleninger, Havre; Kasey Seyfert, Glasgow;

Hwt - Travis Adams, Havre; Kelin King, Malta; Trent Noel, Harlem; Gerome Lamb, Malta.

The Havre High wrestling team entered the weekend with high hopes of a team title at maybe the toughest tournament outside of the state tournament.

But Class AA Great Falls High had other ideas, as it was the Bison who captured their third straight team title at the annual Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula. The Bison racked up 151 points through Friday, but came alive Saturday to finish with an impressive 249 team points.

Havre wasn’t too far off from the team title. The topranked Class A Blue Ponies have an impressive lineup, and grabbed a second-place finish in what was a loaded field in Missoula. The Ponies finished with 185 points.

Havre High beat out a great pool of teams including thirdplace Central Valley from Washington (176) and fourthplace University from Washington (169).

“The big thing about getting to go over there is we finally got to see the Western A,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We don’t see them all year so it was nice to run into Columbia Falls, Libby, Polson and all those guys and see what they’ve got. But I still think it is the same, it will be us and Sidney, then Columbia Falls and Belgrade making noise for third at state.”

Belgrade finished further on down the line with 110 points, followed by Columbia Falls with 106, Polson with 44 and Libby with 38.

But en route to a secondplace finish, the Ponies placed a solid handful of grapplers once again.

Sophomore Keegan Kennelly (106) was the only individual champion on the weekend, and capped off the weekend by pinning Jon

Conklin of Missoula Big Sky in 1:59. Conklin is a returning state champion for Big Sky. But Kennelly also picked up a fall in the first round, a tech. fall in the second round, and a fall in the quarterfinals.

There were no semifinal matches reported for any weight class.

HHS senior Tyler Adams (220) also reached the prestigious finals, but finished in second place for the Ponies.

After a couple of decision and major decision wins early in the weekend, Adams wasn’t unable to get past Dylan Beeler of Clark, losing by way of pin in 6:13. Grayson Brenna (120), Thomas Gruber (132) and Parker Filius (138) finished in third place.

The three won out through the quarterfinals, but lost in the semifinals. And once in the third-place match, Brenna won an 8-7 decision, Gruber won a tight 1-0 decision, and Filius won a 7-3 decision.

But placing outside the No. 1 spot is nothing to be disappointed about as the Ponies faced some outstanding talent. Brenna had to beat a state champion from Wyoming, while Filius lost to a Washington state champion in the semis. Kennelly took the No. 1 spot, but also had to get past a state title winner from Missoula.

“The competition is good,” Coach Filius said. “We faced good kids up and down the bracket, so it was a lot of fun. It was a good weekend for the team. It is a long trip over there and it isn’t a lot of sleep or rest, but the kids responded well. I was proud of them.”

Jace Billy (195) also placed fourth after a 5-1 loss to Phoenix Duncan of Coeur d’Alene ended his weekend.

And Dustin Odegard (182) finished seventh while Kody Pribyl (145) finished eighth.

Odegard ended his weekend with a 6-3 win over Hamilton’s Tyler Scheffer while Pribyl ended his weekend with a tough 8-2 loss to Cooper Ryan of Helena.

Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Dylan Stewart (126), Jase Stokes (152), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170) and Travis Adams (285) also wrestled hard, but did not place.

Havre continues to impress this season but will get a slight break in the action.

With no school today the Ponies will get some rest. But

with the Class A Duals Friday and Saturday in Lewistown, the Ponies may also rest some key grapplers to prepare for another run into the post season.

Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula Team scores – Great Falls 249.5, Havre 185, Central Valley 176.6, University, 169, Bozeman 153, Big Sky 146, Sentinel 143, Powell 127.5, Mead 119.5, Coeur d’Alene 112, Belgrade 110, Columbia Falls 106, Great Falls CMR, 95, Clarkston 93.5, Helena Capital 87, Kalispell Glacier 84, Ferris 78, Helena, 68, Kalispell Flathead 60.5, Frenchtown 59, Butte 49, Hamilton 46, Corvallis 44, Polson 44, Libby 38, Lewistown 35, Lake City 35, Hellgate 20, Superior 16, Florence 14, Ronan 12.5, Bonners Ferry 8.

Placing Matches 98 Championship – Bjorn Schroeder, Boz, maj. dec. Sawyer Degen, Bel, 18-5.

Third place – Justin Gibson, Gla, dec. Cody DeVall, Fla, 4-3.

Fifth place – Nick Kunz, Cap, dec. Kaleb Maciosek, CDA, 3-2.

Seventh place – Korey Hickson, Fer, maj. dec. Denise Tecca, CV, 13-2.

106 Championship – Keegan Kennelly, Hav, pinned Jon Conklin, MBS, 1:59.

Third place – Jake Hegel, MST, pinned Carson Graham, CV, 1:14.

Fifth place – Cameron Swanson, Univ, maj. dec. Thunder Morales, Pol, 16-2.

Seventh place – Spencer Clegg, Clark, maj. dec. Cody Warner, Fre, 10-2.

113 Championship – Jarren Komac, GFH, pinned Seth Schroeck, Cap, 3:03.

Third place – Matt Petrini, Mead, maj. dec.

Demo Koures, MBS, 8-0.

Fifth place – Caleb James, Boz, pinned Anthony Parkin, Sup, 2:18.

Seventh place – Mikey Garrison, Univ, pinned Mason Fetters, CF, :36.

120 Championship – Bryson Beard, CV, dec.

Landon Bailey, Hel, 2-1.

Third place – Grayson Brenna, Hav, dec.

Kenton Evans, GFH, 8-7.

Fifth place – Chance Karst, Pow, maj. dec.

Ryder Day, Gla, 11-2.

Seventh place – Jace Kovalicky, MST, pinned Kale Evenson, Boz, 1:38.

126 Championship – Shonn Roberts, CF, maj. dec. Cameron Sorensen, Univ, 8-0.

Third place – Silas Hopkins, Boz, dec. Nic Urbach, Pow, 5-0.

Fifth place – Tommy McMillen, GFH, pinned Dylan Schulte, MST. Seventh place – Carlos Quinones, Pol, dec.

Cody Decker, Gla, 2-1.

132 Championship – Casey Dobson, GFH, dec.

Jarrett Degen, Bel, 5-4.

Third place – Thomas Gruber, Hav, dec.

Elija Kilborn, CV, 1-0.

Fifth place – Colton Parham, Pow, maj. dec. Hunter King, Mead, 11-2.

Seventh place – Torren Lawson, Flo, dec.

Dylan Cronkhite, Fer, 2-0.

138 Championship – Blake Beard, CV, dec.

Austin Shupe, GFH, 2-1.

Third place – Parker Filius, Hav, dec.

Logan McGreevey, MBS, 7-3.

Fifth place – Ben Manion, Boz, pinned Jake Marr, MST, 4:46.

Seventh place – Tyler Olsen, Cor, dec. Tate LeClaire, Mead, 7-4.

170 Championship – Luke Entzel, MBS, Austin Stannard, Univ, 1-0.

Third place – Justin Harbison, MST, Brayden Schmick, Fer, 7-1.

Fifth place – Garret Chapel, Lib, Chauncye Garigan, CV, 6-3.

Seventh place – Tel Motichka, Pol, Nick Challeen, But, 5-4.

145 Championship – Colton Orrino, CV, dec.

Cody Lemons, Fre, 11-4.

Third place – Gage Bentley, GFH, dec. Isiah Yates, CMR, 6-1.

Fifth place – Zayne Brunz, CF, dec. Kye Catlin, Pow, 4-2.

Seventh place – Cooper Ryan, Hel, dec.

Kody Pribyl, Hav, 8-2.

182 Championship – Hudson Staub, CDA, dec.

Randy Keesler, GFH, 4-3.

Third place – Alan Schmitz, Cap, dec.

Ethan Blythe, Lew, 12-7.

Fifth place – Payton Sexe, CMV, dec. Cody Wiers, Boz, 6-1.

Seventh place – Dustin Odegard, Hav, dec. Tyler Scheffer, Ham, 6-3.

152 Championship – Jared Dickson, CMR, dec.

Kessler Leonard, GFH, 4-3.

Third place – Elijah Ross, Fer, dec. Kade Branson, MBS, 5-1.

Fifth place – Zach Kies, Mead, pinned Eric Benton, Clark, :47.

Seventh place – Matt Widdicombe, Pow, dec. Bryan Shaffer, CF, 4-0.

195 Championship – Keavon Buckley, Boz, pinned Jaden Bryant, Bel, 1:39.

Third place – Phoenix Duncan, CDA, dec.

Jace Billy, Hav, 5-1.

160 Championship – John Fairbanks, Univ, dec. Jacob Davis, Pow, 7-2.

Third place – Jason Riekena, MBS, dec.

David Shepard, CV, 6-5.

Fifth place – Walker Ferda, GFH, dec. Josh Bowers, Lib, 6-0.

Seventh place – Nick Grasseschi, CMR, dec. Colton Johnson, CDA, 12-5.

dec. dec. dec. dec.

Fifth place – Michael Bumgarner, Ham, pinned Hunter Sisemore, Clark, 1:27.

Seventh place – Lee Cannon, But, maj. dec. Mateo Amatto-Cattaneo, GFH, 9-1.

220 Championship – Dylan Beeler, Clark, pinned Tyler Adams, Hav, 6:13.

Third place – Jaydn Wilson, MST, dec. Mason Ju, Mead, 7-2.

Fifth place – Bryce Blumenschein, Bel, dec. Dillon Koffman, Cap, 3-1.

Seventh place – Eric Weaver, GFH, dec.

Riley Stringer, Pow, 7-3.

285 Championship – Tate Orndorff, Univ, dec.

Matt James, CDA, 2-1.

Third place – Axel Bladholm, Fla, dec. Zach Dennehy, Gla, 5-0.

Fifth place – Spencer Ross, CF, pinned Roberto Smith, GFH, 2:24.

Seventh place – Colter Miller, MBS, dec.

Colin Hammock, MST, 4-2.

"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

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2014

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Pony grapplers ready to tackle the Rockies Ponies ready to add to Central A dynasty Havre High hitting stride in time for prestigious Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

A week after getting back into the groove of things with a nearly 100 percent lineup, the Havre High wrestling team now heads into another daunting weekend in Missoula.

Missoula’s annual Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic brings in talent from all over the state of Montana, as well as surrounding areas.

Last year, the Ponies took in a less-than-healthy lineup and finished as the No. 10 team. But with a full head of steam, Friday and Saturday the Ponies will look to finish a little higher in the team standings.

Teams expected to be in attendance include Great Falls High, University High, Missoula Sentinel, Lewistown, Bozeman, Mead, Coeur d’Alene, Central Valley, Belgrade, Missoula Big Sky, Kalispell Glacier, Kalispell Flathead, Ronan, Frenchtown, CMR, Butte, Bonners Ferry, Polson, Corvallis, Helena High, Clarkston, Columbia Falls, Ferris, Libby, Lake City, Missoula Hellgate, Hamilton, Superior and Helena Capital.

“We are wrestling as well as we have all year,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “I think this and state are our toughest weekends, so we are pretty excited to get down there.”

If the Ponies continue to wrestle at a high level they could challenge for the top spot. But with Great Falls High also back to near 100 percent after being down the last couple of weeks, it will be a dogfight to the very end.

And the Ponies are planning on going all out this weekend. The Class A duals take place next weekend in Lewistown, but Missoula takes center stage. The competition is through the roof, and there is a state-tournament-like atmosphere. HHS will wrestle with a sense of urgency the next couple of days and maybe even use next weekend to gain some

much-needed rest.

“We are going to go into this like it is the state tournament, and we are looking for everybody to contribute,” Filius said. “We will probably even dial back a little next week because it is a step down from where we have been.

“But we are really gelling and getting everybody to get on the same page at the same time,” Filius added.

“We have a nice team concept going and the kids care about each other and that sure makes a difference.”

And, technique-wise, the Ponies aren’t doing much wrong. Last weekend, Filius really liked how aggressive his kids came out, and mentioned how well they wrestled on the edge. Look for that to be the case again this weekend, especially from Keegan Kennelly (106) as he attempts to reclaim an individual title. But Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285) will also look to continue to wrestle well.

Brenna took fourth last year in Missoula, while Tyler Adams finished fifth, Stewart finished sixth, and Williams finished eighth.

As a team, the Ponies have yet to win this tournament under the guidance of coach Filius, but they have that chance this year.

They know it won’t be easy, though. GFH took it all the last two seasons, and even with all of the pins the Ponies got last weekend to run away with a Cut Bank title, it won’t be quite as easy this time around.

“It is going to be a high level of competition, so we probably won’t pick up all the bonus points and easy matches that we got right off the bat last weekend,” coach Filius said. “But the effort will still be there.”

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Missoula.

HHS then heads to the Class A Duals next Friday and Saturday in Lewistown.

Dynasty: Ponies have found great success as individuals and as a team ■ From Page 13 while some may look at losses as a negative thing, knowing all of his wrestlers have suffered at least one loss this season lets coach Filius know his grapplers are battle-tested.

“Everybody we’ve got has been tagged with a loss this season.” Filius said. “But that is good for them. If you go undefeated then I don’t think you have found a tough enough schedule. That is the reason we wrestle those

Great Falls schools and go to all of those tough tournaments, for that reason, and we feel like we are prepared for the post season.”

Havre will look to add another Central A banner to its dynasty Saturday in Browning.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class will move on to the Class A state tournament next Friday and Saturday in Billings.

Havre grapplers heavy favorites at Saturday's Central A Divisional in Browning Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High heavyweight Travis Adams, right, battles a Great Falls High rival at the annual Havre Invitational last month. The Blue Ponies and Bison will be among the favorites at this weekend's Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula.

It has been some time since the Havre High wrestling team has been challenged by another program in the Central A, regular season or at the divisional wrestling tournament.

Last season, the Central A Blue Ponies were crowned divisional champions, followed by another Class A state title.

The Ponies will look to take the first step in repeating last year’s feat at Saturday’s Central A Divisional in Browning.

And as the No. 1-ranked

Class A team in the state, the Ponies are the clear favorites this weekend and beyond. It will take some Pony letups and some pretty impressive matches by Belgrade, Lewistown, Livingston and Browning to take down the Central A power. The Belgrade Panthers will most likely clinch that coveted No. 2 team spot, but if it comes down to the Panthers and Ponies, the Ponies should run away comfortably, just like HHS has done so many times in the past. Under head coach Scott Filius, the Ponies have only been unseated one time in the Central A. “We have kids wrestling well right now and we have been together for a long time,” Filius said. “This group of kids, we have been packing all over the place for years, and so have their parents. We just have a lot of experience and a long background with this group of wrestlers.”

But as confident as coach Filius is with this group of wrestlers that has been together for a number of years now, young and old, he isn’t

taking this weekend lightly.

Havre has to wrestle well across the board and in every match. The Panthers are the No. 3-ranked team in the Class A and bring in a lot talent, including 98-pounder Sawyer Degan, Jarrett Degan (132), Noah Criner (152), Keevan Pickle (160) and Bryce Blumenschein (220).

The Ponies will send in Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Dane Flammond (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Gunnar Aageson (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jered Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), John Chinadle (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT), but will remain open at 98-pounds for the remainder of their season. And bringing in 17 wrestlers, the Ponies think they have a realistic chance to place all, or close to all, 17 individuals for the state tournament.

“It’s about getting as many kids into the state tourna-

ment,” Filius said. “And we are looking to place at divisionals as high as we can to help pave the way. And I would think all of our guys have the ability to place this weekend. We have 17 kids, but I am very pleased with the potential we have in those 17.”

Coach Filius is also comfortable heading into the weekend because of the success the Ponies have found through a difficult regular season schedule. Right out of the gate with the Havre Invitational, through the Mining City Duals and CMR Holiday Classic, the Ponies have found great success as individuals and as a team. And

■ See Dynasty Page 20 Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Jace Billy, left, competes in the 2013 Havre Invitational wrestling tournament back in December. Billy and the top-ranked Blue Ponies will look to win yet another Central A title Saturday in Browning.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Ponies roll to Central A title Havre High crowns nine champions in Browning, will send 17 grapplers to state

Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com At the Central A divisional wrestling tournament, the Havre High wrestling team did exactly what it expected to do. And even more important than the team title earned

by Havre, the Blue Ponies are now one step closer to claiming yet another Class A state title.

Saturday, the Blue Ponies competed against the rest of the Central A in Browning. The Ponies proved they are too deep and too talented to be knocked off their divisional throne with an impressive 296 team points. Belgrade finished second with 210, followed by Lewistown with 119, Browning with 88, and Livingston with a distant 77.

Havre also made light work of

the shallow competition by placing each of its 17 wrestlers in the top five. That means the Ponies will take a full lineup of 17 grapplers to the state tournament.

“Teams like Belgrade are just too short to keep up, they don’t have enough guys and their quality isn’t what it has been the last few years,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But the kids wrestled real well. We didn’t get a whole lot of matches and it is frustrating that there aren’t more kids out there.

Now we just have to make sure we stay sharp in practice. But we took 17 kids and got them all qualified for state, so we are happy with that.”

Individual title winners included Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jake Williams (171), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (220). Kennelly, Pleninger and Travis Adams all won by forfeit in the championships, while Billy defeated Belgrade’s Jaden Bryant by default.

But as the Ponies did all weekend, several wrestlers dominated their

final match. Brenna earned a major decision over Chad Lander of Lewistown, 13-0, while Stokes earned a solid 7-1 decision over Noah Criner of Belgrade. Filius pinned Lyle Degen of Belgrade in just 1:15.

Also in the finals, Pribyl narrowly escaped Thad Kucera of Lewistown with 5-4 decision, while Williams defeated Devin Blythe of Lewistown with a 5-4 decision.

“All of our kids wrestled well in the championship round,” coach Filius said. “We had a couple of matches end up closer than they have been in the past, but it is hard to get excited about this divisional tournament. It just needs to be more competitive.”

But the Ponies had four other individuals come up just short in the chipper.

Dylan Stewart (126) suffered a 7-2 loss to Lewistown’s Hunter Grover, finishing the weekend with a No. 2 finish, while Thomas Gruber (132) also lost 6-4 to Belgrade’s Jarrett Deegan for a second-place finish.

Jared Laux (160) was pinned by Keevan Pickle of Belgrade, and Tyler Adams (220) gave up a forfeit win to his brother Travis for another

Blue Pony second-place finish.

Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (138) and Dustin Odegard (182) all placed third for the Ponies.

John Chinadle also placed fifth for the Ponies, completing the lineup at an impressive 17 keeping their seasons alive and taking on the best of the best at state.

“We didn’t have too many hiccups,” coach Filius said. “You always want to get everybody qualified, but you also want to come away healthy, and we did both of those things. We are going to ratchet it up another level moving forward, but you expect that as the season goes on.”

The Central A champion Blue Ponies will now look to defend their Class A state title. Friday and Saturday the Ponies will face the rest of the Class A’s best at the Metra Park’s Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

Central A at Browning

Team scores – 1. Havre 296.5; 2. Belgrade 210.5; 3.

Lewistown 119; 4. Browning 88; 5. Livingston 77 Finals 98 – Sawyer Degan, BEL p. Brandon Rockwell, BEL 5:19 106 – Keegan Kennelly, HAV, bye.

113 – Logan Pleninger, HAV, bye 120 – Grayson Brenna, HAV, md. Chad Lander, LEW 13-0 126 – Hunter Grover, LEW, d. Dylan Stewart, HAV, 7-2 132 – Jarrett Denen, BEL, d. Thomas Gruber, HAV, 6-4 138 – Parker Filius, HAV, p. Lyle Degen, BEL, 1:15 145 – Kody Pribyl, HAV, d. Thad Kucera, LEW, 5-4 152 – Jase Stokes, HAV, d. Noah Criner, BEL, 7-1 160 –Keevan Pickle, BEL, p. Jared Laux, HAV, :49 171 – Jake Williams, HAV, d. Devin Blythe, LEW, 5-4 182 – Ethan Blythe, LEW, p. Raven Cunningham, BEL, 1:09 195 – Jace Billy, HAV, by default over Jaden Bryant, BEL 220 –Travis Adams, HAV, by forfeit over Tyler Adams, HAV 285 – Peter Townes, LIV, p. Jordan Murillo, BEL 4:51

Third place 98 – Kai Krumweide, LEW, bye 106 – no matches 113 – no matches 120 – Shade Noble, BEL, tf Haden Mushrush, LIV, 16-1 126 – Dane Flammond, HAV, p. Isaac Wippert, BRN :46 132 – Billy Birdwell, LEW, d. Calvin Racine, BRN, 4-2 138 – Gunnar Aageson, HAV, p. Chris Swanson, LIV, 3:53 145 – Zeus Rutherford, BRN, md. Braden Fitzgerald, LIV, 13-2 152 – Brandon Gilham, BRN, p. Clayton Linville, LIV, 2:08 160 – Jordan Perino, LIV, d. Bradley Denton, LEW, 6-0 171 – Grady Blewett, BEL, d. Kiin Salois, BRN, 5-3 182 – Dustin Odegard, HAV, d. Cody Lucke, BRN, 4-1 195 – William Ollinger, BRN, d. John Chinadle, HAV, 5-1 220 – Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, bye 285 – Terydon Hall, BRN, p. Cameron Carter, BEL, 2:14.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Champs Again: Ponies win tough Cut Bank Invitational Healthy Havre High wrestling team places 14, crowns three champions in Cut Bank Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Having a healthy and full lineup makes a big difference in prep wrestling, and having both of those things back in their favor, the Havre High grapplers were back to looking as impressive as any team in the state.

A week ago at the Bozeman Invitational, the Central A Blue Ponies finished in eighth place as a team. Due to some sickness and injury, the team was less than 100 percent. But coming away with yet another championship team finish over the weekend, the Ponies are back on the rise, and close to hitting full stride once again.

Friday and Saturday, the Ponies were in Cut Bank for the Cut Bank Invitational. The Ponies finished No. 1 overall with an impressive 295 team points. Great Falls High was in a distant second with 256, while CMR finished in third place with 187.

“We had a real good turnout, especially compared to the week before,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But now Great Falls High is going through the same thing. Last week they were healthy, had everybody in the lineup, and wrestled at a high level while we were shorthanded.

And our guys didn’t necessarily wrestle at a high level last week.

But this week, Great Falls High had some kids out and the guys they had were flat. We had all of our guys this week and our guys wrestled at a high level, so it does make a big difference having everybody in the lineup.”

And while some teams may be struggling, the HHS grapplers took full advantage and turned in a very dominating performance.

Overall, the Ponies placed 14 wrestlers in Cut Bank, including individual champions in Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Fil-

Kennelly

Filius

ius (138) and Tyler Adams (220).

Dylan Stewart (126), Kody Pribyl (145) and Jase Billy (195) also made the finals, but finished in second place. Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Jake Williams (170) and Travis Adams (285) all placed third, while Jase Stokes (152), Dustin Odegard (182) and John Chinadle (195) placed fourth, and Thomas Gruber (132) finished fifth.

Tate Munyon (98), Dane Flammond (126) and Jared Laux (160) also performed well but didn’t place amongst the tough field of wrestlers.

Pushing individuals deep into

T. Adams

tournaments is always the goal of HHS and is the only way to consistently win these big tournaments.

And if the Ponies can continue to wrestle well, place a dominating 14 grapplers and continue to improve, then they should continue to dominate this season.

“We competed and won a lot of close matches,” Filius said. “We were very disciplined on the edge this week, where as last week we were taking ourselves out of close matches and were very sloppy on the edge.”

In the championship round, Kennelly earned an impressive 11-1 major decision over Trevor Moore.

Tyler Adams was also impressive with his pin of Eric Weaver in just 1:44. Filius also turned heads with his fall victory over growing rival Austin Shupe of Great Falls High.

Filius pinned Shupe in 3:57. Shupe is still the only wrestler to defeat Filius this season.

But the entire weekend was full of big matches and dominating results.

On Friday alone, the Ponies recorded 19 wins by way of fall through the quarterfinals. And the Ponies didn’t waste much time for the most part. Stokes had a pin in the first round that took just 13 seconds, followed by a pin in the second round that took 34 seconds. Billy had two pins that took just 36 and 21 seconds, while Tyler Adams took down his second round opponent in 50 seconds.

“Cut Bank has always been a real nice place to wrestle,” Coach Filius said. “But we also had a nice week of practice and came out sharp. The kids came out sharp in matches, too, and we were really on a roll. I was pleased.”

Another tough weekend awaits the Ponies when they travel to the Missoula Invitational Friday and Saturday.

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2014 CLASS A

February 2014

Short-handed Ponies compete hard in Bozeman Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com It isn’t often that the Havre High wrestling team falls out of the top two or three in team standings at the conclusion of a tournament.

It happened this weekend, but that is a testament to the kind of competition the Blue Ponies face on a week-to-week basis.

Friday and Saturday, the Central A Ponies faced a tough field at the Tom LeProwse Memorial Open in Bozeman.

The Ponies finished as the No. 8 team with 144 points. Great Falls High was first with 255, while Missoula Big Sky was second with 194, and Forsyth was third with 185. Missoula Sentinel, Bozeman, Helena Capital and Colstrip also finished ahead of the Ponies in the team standings.

And in rare fashion, the Ponies were nearly split right down the middle when it came to placing in the top six or not. The Ponies aren’t wrestling at 100 percent, but when they are, they have made it a habit of pushing the majority of their grapplers deep into tournaments. In Bozeman, seven individuals placed while seven came up short.

The Ponies were open at 106 pounds and 195 pounds. Tate Munyan (98), Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jared Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182) and Travis Adams (285) all wrestled hard, but came up short on the weekend.

The HHS grapplers who did place, continued to perform well.

Any losses didn’t come until after the quarterfinals, as Keegan Kennelly (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152) and Tyler Adams (220) all placed in the top six, though the Ponies did not get any No. 1 finishes.

Brenna, Adams and Filius all took second place. Brenna fell in 3:21 in the finals, but did earn a major decision and two falls prior to the loss in the chipper. Filius lost 11-2 in the finals after running into a very familiar Austin Shupe of Great Falls High once again. Filius had a first round bye, and earned a technical fall and a 9-6 decision before running into Shupe. Adams suffered a 3-1 loss in the 220-pound finals, but earned his spot after a 6-1 decision and win by fall prior.

Kennelly took third place by earning a win to finish off his weekend. His loss came after the quarterfinal round, but in the third-place match Kennelly earned a win by default over Clay Stillwagon of Butte Central. Kennelly also earned two pins to start his weekend, as well as a major decision win en route to another big weekend.

Stewart, Gruber and Stokes all finished in sixth place. Stewart lost his placing match by way of major decision, while Gruber lost a 4-0 decision, and Stokes was pinned.

The Ponies will look to get back on track at the Cut Bank Invitational in Cut Bank Friday and Sat-

urday.

E. Weaver, GFH, 2-1; 285 - B. Wigert, ANA, pinned C. Hammock MST, 1:18.

Tom LeProwse Memorial

Team scores: 1. Great Falls 255, 2. Missoula Big Sky 194.5, 3. Forsyth 185.5, 4. Missoula Sentinel 180, 5. Bozeman 165.5, 6. Helena Capital 160.5, 7.

Colstrip 160, 8. Havre 144, 9. C.M. Russell 132, 10. Butte 121, 11. Belgrade 117, 12. Hardin 109, 13. Helena 100.5, 14. Anaconda 96.5, 15. Dillon 90, 16. Huntley Project 77, 17. Cody, Wyo. 76, 18.

Butte Central 58.5, 19. Bozeman JV 51, 20. Laurel 43.5, 21. Whitehall 31.5, 22. Miles City 14, 23.

Livingston 4.

Championships: 98 - Schroeder, BOZ, maj. dec. S. Degen, BEL, 146; 106 - J. Hegel, MST, def. J. Conklin, MBS by default; 113 - S. Schroeck, CAP, dec. C. Currier, COL 6-4; 120 - G. Currier, COL, pinned Grayson Brenna, HAV, 3:21; 126 - M. Weber FOR, d. T. McMillen GFH, 6-2; 132 - C. Dobson, GFH, dec. J. Degen, BEL, 6-4; 138 - A. Shupe, GFH, dec. Parker Filius, HAV, 11-4; 145 - L. Weber, FOR, dec. B. Armstrong, ANA, 5-0; 152 – B. Weber, FOR, dec. J. Dickson, CMR, 3-2; 160 – C. Niler, FOR, maj. dec.

J. Beaudrie, CODY, 11-1; 170 - L. Entzel, MBS, dec.

S. Landerman, CODY, 4-3; 182 - R. Keesler, GFH, dec. A. Schmitz, CAP 6-5; 195 - K. Buckley, BOZ, pinned L. Cannon, BUT, 3:55; 220 - J. Wilson MST, D. Tyler Adams, HAV 3-1; 285 - D. Hucke, DIL, dec. C. Miller, MBS, 3-0.

Third/Fourth 98 - L. Bradley, COL, pinned N. Kunz, CAP, 4:52; 106 - K. Starkel, DIL, dec. N. Durnell, CMR, 5-0; 113 - Keegan Kennelly, HAV, def. C. Stillwagon, BUC, by default; 120 - L. Bailey, HEL, dec. K. Evans, GFH 5-3; 126 - S. Hopkins, BOZ, pinned B. Henningsen, BUT, 1:41; 132 - S. Currier, COL, dec.

L. Harms, FOR, 4-1; 138 - L. McGreevey, MBS, dec. Z. Hart, BUC, 5-04; 145 - L. Renz, BUT, dec. I. Yates, CMR, 3-1; 152 - K. Leonard, GFH, pinned C. McElhinney, GFH, 3:59; 160 - W. Ferda, GFH, dec. J. Riekena, MBS, 9-7; 170 - E. Reich, ANA, pinned T. Brugman, CMR, 2:13; 182 - C. Wiers, BOZ, pinned C. Murdock, HDN, :35; 195 - PINNED Tezak, DIL, dec. K. Dole HTP 6-4; 220 - D. Koffman, CAP, dec.

Fifth/Sixth 98 - D. Altenburg, CMR, tf. I. Renfro, MST, 19-3; 106 - B. Johnson , WHL, dec. W. Gordon, MBS 5-0; 113 0 T. Meyer, GFH, dec. D. Koures, MBS 4-2; 120 - J. Komac, GFH, maj. dec. C. McDaniel FOR, 8-0; 126 - D. Duffalo, MST, pinned Dylan Stewart, HAV, 4:31; 132 - D. Schulte, MST, dec. Thomas Gruber, HAV 4-0; 138 - C. Rushing, CAP, pinned L. Degen, BEL, 4:51; 145 - G. Bentley, GFH, dec. B. Manion BOZJV 2-0; 152 - A. Blaede, COL, pinned Jase Stokes, HAV, 1:58; 160 - B. Bilbrey, GFH, pinned T. Delp, HDN, 4:52; 170 - J. Harbison, MST, pinned C. Fredericks, HDN, :37; 182 - M. AmadoCattaneo, GFH, pinned M. Bertelsen, BOZJV 2:12; 195 - C. Gordon, MBS, dec. T. Erickson, HEL, 7-2; 220 - S. Hilborn, HEL, pinned T. Brewer, MBS, 1:56; 285 - R. Smith, GFH, pinned R. Becker, HDN :32.

Quarterfinals 98 – Schroeder, BOZ, pinned Casey, BUT, :14; Renfro, MST, pinned Robins, BOZJV, 1:26; Degen, BEL, pinned Witzelm, WHL, 1:33; Altenburg, CMR, pinned Bradley, COL, 5:41.

106 – Conklin, MBS, pinned Burnell, CMR, 5:27; Starkel, DIL, pinned Meyer, ANA, 3:48; Johnson, WHL, pinned Rolfe, CAP, :52; Hegel, MST, pinned Gordon, MBS, 3:17.

113 – Stillwagon, BUC, pinned Rickard, DIL, 1:04; Currier, COL, pinned James, BOZ, 3:57; Schroeck, CAP, def. Carter, LAU by default; Keegan Kennelly, HAV, maj. dec. Schilling, GFH, 11-2.

120 – Currier, COL, pinned Evenson, BOZ, 3:33; Bailey, HEL, dec. Evans, GFH, 6-1; Grayson Brenna, HAV, pinned McDaniel, FOR, 2:40; Komac, GFH, pinned Reinschmist, WHL, 1:09.

126 – Weber, FOR, maj. dec. Hopkins, BOZ, 13-4; Duffalo, MST, pinned Dickerman, CODY, 5:54; Dylan Stewart, HAV, pinned Torgerson, COL, 2:56; McMillen, GFH, pinned Metcalf, HDN, 3:59.

132 – Degen, BEL, pinned Caldwell, HEL, 1:08;

Havre Daily News sports writer

If the Havre High wrestling team can continue to get healthy and plug some holes in the lineup, then the Central A Blue ponies should be able to return to their early season dominance.

Last weekend in Bozeman, the Ponies found themselves finishing the weekend as the No. 8 team. But with some key injuries, including Jace Billy at 195 pounds, and some late scratches due to the dreaded cold and flu season, it was clear that the Ponies were less than 100 percent.

Prior to Bozeman the Ponies had either won or finished in second place at each of the tournaments they competed at this season.

Friday and Saturday the

Ponies will look to rebound at the Cut Bank Invitational in Cut Bank.

“Last week we had several guys get sick and out of the lineup,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But everybody has to deal with that stuff, that sickness is going to go through everybody, and we still have some guys struggling. But we are a lot closer to being back, and we are getting a lot better.

“Everything is a stepping stone towards the end,” Filius added. “I would like all my kids to be as good as they can be every week so we can improve, but I don’t know if it is necessary every week. It is tough to peak every week, but we need to improve every week.”

A year ago the Ponies dominated the competition in Cut Bank.

But with teams like Choteau, Lewistown, Harlem, Great Falls High, Cut Bank, Chinook, Eureka, Whitefish, Conrad, Glasgow, Wolf Point, CMR, Browning, Malta, Fort Benton, Big Sandy, CascadeSimms, Chester/J-I, Shelby, Jefferson, Poplar and Heart Butte also in attendance, there will be plenty of team and individual talent to test the Ponies. Last year the Ponies finished in first place with 247 points. Choteau was second with 217 and Lewistown was a distant third with 159. This year the varsity lineups from CMR, GFH and Kalispell Flathead will also be in attendance, making the talent pool even deeper.

The Ponies had a handful of individuals place in the top six, while Keegan Kennelly and Grayson Brenna led the way with individual cham-

pionships. Kody Pribyl and Jordan Schroeder also made the championship round and returned to Havre each with second-place finishes.

“There are going to be a lot of good wrestlers from the smaller schools as well as bigger schools,” Filius said.

“It is going to be fun, and we always wrestle well there.”

If HHS can get to 100 percent, expected grapplers will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220), Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285).

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Harms, FOR, pinned Currier, COL, 3:47; Dobson, GFH, dec. James, BOZ, 3-2; Schulte, MST, maj. dec. Thomas Gruber, HAV, 14-0.

138 – Shupe, GFH, pinned Ramirez, HDN, 1:52; Rushing, CAP, pinned Degen, BEL, 1:51; Parker Filius, HAV, dec. Hart, BUC, 9-6; McGreevey, MBS, pinned McBroom, CAP, 1:03.

145 – Weber, FOR, maj. dec. Manlon, BOZJV, 15-6; Yates, CMR, maj. dec. Lemon, HDN, 15-1; Renz, BUT, dec. Ryan, HEL, 12-6; Armstrong, , dec. Bentley, 9-4.

152 – Weber, FOR, pinned Mavrinac, ANA, 2:58; Leonard, GFH, maj. dec. Branson, MBS, 17-5; Jase Stokes, HAV, dec. Purcell, HDN, 12-7; Dickson, CMR, pinned Stack, MST, 1:04.

160 – Nile, FOR, pinned Anderson, BUT, :30; Ferda, GFH, dec. Pickle, BEL, 3-0; Delp, HDN, maj. dec.

VanDyke, HEL, 14-5; Beaudrie, CODY, Graseschi, CMR, 2:30.

170 – Entzel, MBS, dec. Harbison, MST, 6-0; Fredericks, HDN, pinned Flickenger, CODY, 2:59; Brugman, CMR, pinned Reich, ANA, 5:55; Landerman, CODY, pinned Van Dyke, HEL, 1:04.

182 – Keesler, GFH, pinned Danielson, CMR, 2:49; Wiers, BOZ, dec. Bertelsen, BOZJV, 6-5; Murdock, HDN, pinned Cinningham, BEL, 1:18; Schmitz, CAP, pinned Amado-Cattaneo, GFH, 3:10.

195 – Buckley, BOZ, maj. dec. Gordon, MBS, 14-3; Dole, HTP, pinned Rebish, MST, 2:54; Tezak, DIL, pin. Williams, GFH, 2:44; Cannon, BUT, pinned Erickson, HEL, 3:06.

220 – Tyler Adams, HAV, pinned Scott, HDN, 3:56; Hilborn, HEL, pinned Nordell, CMR, 5:58; Koffman, CAP, dec. Hart, BOZ, 5-2; Wilson, MST, dec. Weaver, GFH, 8-3.

285 – Hicke, DIL, pinned Becker, HDN, :50; Smith, GFH, pinned Murillo, :26; Miller, MBS, pinned Rue-Zindell, GFH, 1:52; Wiegert, ANA, pinned Bell, FOR, :19.

Pony grapplers look to step up in Cut Bank Daniel Horton

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High sophomore Keegan Kennelly, top.

Dane Flammond (126) and Jared Laux (160) have also been in and out of the varsity lineup this season.

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will be in Cut Bank for the stellar Cut Bank Invitational wresting tournament.

Ready for the moment

Blue Ponies gunning for a repeat as Class A champions Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

One year ago, the Havre High wrestling team returned to glory and recaptured the Class A state championship.

This year the Central A Blue Ponies are the No. 1 ranked team in the Class A, are coming off of another Central A divisional title, and are looking to be crowned as the Class A’s best program for the second consecutive season.

Including last year’s title, the Blue Ponies have won eight state titles under veteran head coach Scott Filius. But before returning to the top, the Ponies took third place two years ago and second place three years ago at state. However, before the second-place finish three years ago, the Ponies captured the state title four straight times, arguably making the HHS program a dynasty and one of the best to take the mat in the last decade.

But once a team gets a taste of being the best around, that success continues to be the goal.

“That is the goal of the kids and my goal as well,” Filius said. “That is what you work for, and we have never taken our eyes off of that. When I came in, that is the first thing that we did, we took the emphasis off of divisionals and put them on state, and we have had a lot of success by doing that. The kids have bought in for years and have high expectations for themselves.

“And we are ready,” Filius added about his team. “We had a great schedule all year long, and our kids have been battle ready from the Rocky Mountain Classic, Bozeman, the Cut Bank Invite, the Havre Invite, Great Falls and CMR. We are ready to roll, we just need to go out and

wrestle like we are capable of, and we have been doing that, so really, we control our own destiny.”

Filius will take a lineup of 17 individual wrestlers to the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings this weekend for the Class A state tourney.

Making up that lineup will be 106-pounder Keegan Kennelly (division champion), 113-pounder Logan Pleninger (division champ), 120-pounder Grayson Brenna (division champ), 126-pounder Dylan Stewart (divisional runner up), 126-pounder Dane Flammond, 132-pounder Thomas Gruber (divisional runner up), 138-pounder Parker Filius (division champ), 138-pounder Gunnar Aageson, 145-pounder Kody Pribyl (division champ), 152-pounder Jase Stokes (division champ), 160-pounder Jared Laux (divisional runner up), 171-pounder Jake Williams (division champ), 182-pounder Dustin Odegard, 195-pounder Jace Billy (division champ), 195-pounder John Chinadle, 220-pounder Travis Adams (division champ) and 220-pounder Tyler Adams (divisional runner up).

Each of the Havre grapplers will have to wrestle well. The Ponies are considered a favorite to win the team title, but it may end up being a tight race. Sidney is always a frontrunner, and the Eagles enter with 11 divisional champions this year.

But Columbia Falls may also find themselves in the race late, while they all three fend off the likes of Belgrade, Anaconda, Polson, Glendive and Corvallis, all teams which can score big points this weekend.

HHS isn’t looking past anybody this year, the Ponies never do. But they are aware

of what they can accomplish if they continue to do what they have done all season long, wrestle smart, aggressive and at a high level. If the Ponies can manage to do those things, then being open at 98 pounds and heavyweight shouldn’t hurt their chances overall.

“I don’t know about a strong favorite, but we like our chances,” coach Filius said.

“Our kids are prepared for the challenge and they will wrestle well. And that (having open weights) only hurts you if you don’t have quality in your other kids and we do.

I would like to think that we have about 10 kids that have a shot at doing very well. I don’t want to single anybody out because none of them have an easy road, they will all be hard.

“We are going to do what we are capable of,” Filius added, “and we will be like all the rest of the teams, we will have matches that hurt when it’s over and some that feel good. That is just the nature of the beast, but we are going to try and put ourselves in a position to get as many of those good ones as we can.”

Billy finished in third place last year, but was one of the highlight wrestlers of the weekend after he went on a great run to get through the consolation round. Billy led 11 Blue Ponies to finish in the top six. Brenna (105) and graduate Grant Pattison (189) finished No. 1, while Kennelly (98) and Tyler Adams (215) both finished No. 2 a year ago. Stewart (112) and Pribyl (140) also both finished in third, while Pleninger (105) finished fourth, and Gruber (130) finished in fifth place.

Graduate Gilbert Bara (135) and Travis Adams (215) also both finished in sixth place for Havre.

This weekend Billy, Bren-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High junior Grayson Brenna, right, will be going for his second straight individual state championship, while his Blue Pony team is the favorite to capture the team title at this weekend's Class A state tournament in Billings. na, Kennelly, Tyler Adams, Stewart, Pribyl, Pleninger, Gruber and Travis Adams all have a shot at placing again.

All of the 17 HHS wresters should expect to do well, but Williams will also be looking to earn a top spot after a successful season, as is newcomer and freshman Parker Filius. He has a great shot at earning a state title in his first prep season, also giving him the opportunity to be a four-time champ, something HHS hasn’t seen in quite some time. In fact, Havre has a chance to parade quite a few wrestlers into the finals this weekend, including Kennelly, returning state champion Brenna and Tyler Adams, all grapplers who were in the finals a year ago.

And while the Ponies have

several athletes that can emerge as champions, the Ponies know they need to get points whenever and wherever they can. For a team title, the third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishes, as well as big bonus points and headto-head wins over Sidney are just as important as the individual state championships.

In fact, Havre’s depth has been one of the big reasons why the Ponies are always in the hunt for team titles under Filius. He’s cultivated a deep program, and it’s one which continues to earn points in all rounds of the state tournament.

“That is what separates your championship team from your second-place team,” Coach Filius said.

“That is a huge focus. It is tough to wrestle after you get beat, but that is a reason why we go get a tough schedule, so all of our kids can end up with a loss. If you have a kid go undefeated, the schedule wasn’t tough enough. But our kids have great character, so I expect them all to have a great weekend.”

Havre High will begin its quest for a second straight state title and a ninth under Filius when the Class A state tournament gets underway Friday morning at 10 a.m.

The tournament will run through Saturday’s finals which are set to begin at 4 p.m. All of the action will take place inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at Billings Metra Park.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2014 CLASS A

February 2014

Havre Daily News sports writer

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor Blue Pony State Tournament Glance HHS Facts: Havre has won eight state titles under head coach Scott Filius — 1997, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013. HHS and Sidney have combined to win 11 state championships since 1999. The Ponies have five first-timer’s going this weekend, including three freshman. Havre hasn’t had at least one individual state champion in the last 12 seasons. The Ponies haven’t finished outside the Top 3 at state since 2003. Havre scored 233.5 points to win last year’s championship. The Ponies hold the Class A record for team points, scoring 294.5 points in 2009.

106 – Keegan Kennelly Kennelly, ranked No. 1, is a state runner-up, finishing second at 98 pounds as a freshman a year ago. He’s been extremely dominant this season, even moving up for a couple of weeks to compete at 113. Kennelly will have a bye in the first round, and will probably face Sidney’s Wyatt Van Buren in the semifinals, while Dillon’s Kholten Starkel is tough and Frenchtown’s Cody Warner is a returning state placer from a year ago. Still, Kennelly is a heavy favorite this weekend and has never lost to anyone in his bracket.

113 – Logan Pleninger Pleninger, ranked No. 4, finished a solid fourth at 105 pounds as a freshman and has had an outstanding sophomore season. Pleninger will be among the favorites this weekend, but the new 113-pound bracket is tough, especially with two-time state champion Clay Stillwagon of Butte Central. Pleninger wouldn’t see Stillwagon until the finals but will have to get through Anaconda’s Tre Smollack and Sidney’s Trace Jones to get there. Pleninger faces Laurel’s Jordan Shovar in the first round.

120 – Grayson Brenna Brenna, ranked No. 2, captured the 105-pound state title last season and has been nearly unbeatable in his junior campaign. He’s the favorite this weekend, but his bracket is all about a potential matchup with Sidney’s Gresh Jones, who won the 119-pound title in 2013.

Brenna and Jones are on the same side of the bracket, so a semifinal meeting is likely, barring any upsets, and that match could have a profound effect on the team title. Corvallis’ Chase Connor and Billings Central’s Zach Wall, both returning state placers should vie for the other spot in the final. Brenna battles Brandon Burnhagen of Miles City in the opening round.

126 – Dylan Stewart Stewart, ranked No. 6, is in one of the most loaded brackets in the tournament, but he can still contend. As a sophomore, Stewart finished third at 112 pounds, but the 126-pound bracket has no less than seven returning state placers, including Stewart. Columbia Falls’ Shonn Roberts is a returning state champ up from 112 pounds, while Lewistown’s Hunter Grover finished second at 119

last season and Polson’s Carlos Quinones was third and Corvallis’ Josh Venema was fourth. The bracket also includes Frenchtown’s Tyler Ishler and perhaps the favorite to battle Roberts in Sidney’s Ethan Graves. Stewart will face Laurel’s Connor Ludwig in the first round, with a quarterfinal matchup with Roberts on the horizon.

126 – Dane Flammond Havre is doubled at 126 pounds. Freshman Dane Flammond made a good run at last weekend’s Central A meet, but he’ll have a tough fight on his hands in such a loaded bracket. Still, Flammond is expected to score key points for the Ponies. He’ll face Hardin’s Chandler Metcalf in the first round and, with a win, would likely meet Venema in the quarterfinals.

132 – Thomas Gruber

to make noise alongside Filius this weekend. The bracket is tough, but Aageson is now a veteran and could end up on the podium. After a third-place finish in the Central A, Aageson faces Butte Central’s Hart in the opening round.

145 – Kody Pribyl In 2013, Pribyl stormed onto the Class A scene by finishing third at 140 pounds. But he won’t be a secret this weekend. Pribyl, ranked No. 3, has had an outstanding year and goes into state as a No. 1 seed out of the Central A. His bracket includes defending state champion and unbeaten Bryan Armstrong of Anaconda, as well as Hardin’s Jon Lemon, Frenchtown’s Cody Lemons and Sidney’s Ryan Chatteron. Pribyl also wound up on Armstrong’s side of the bracket and would have to face him in the semifinals. But to even get there, he will have to get through Dillon’s Austin Olsen in the first round, and probably Lemon in the quarterfinals.

Gruber, ranked No. 3, is entering his final state tournament. And he’s a three-time state placer. But he’s always been in one of the premier brackets of the state tourney, and his senior season will be no different. Gruber finished fifth at 130 a year ago, but lost two heartbreakers and was that close to a state title.

This weekend, he’ll be back in the bracket with returning 125-pound state champion Jarrett Degan of Belgrade, who beat Gruber at last weekend’s Central A match.

Dillon Tennant of Glendive, who finished second at 130 last season is also in the bracket, as is Sidney’s Layne Schaeffer. Gruber wrestles Donovan Williams of Corvallis in the first round, then his state title hopes will rest on a quarterfinal bout with Tennant, whom he lost to 5-3 in last year’s semifinals.

The Ponies have had good success with freshman at state over the years, and Stokes, ranked No. 4, is in a position to keep that tradition going. He enters his first state tourney as a Central A champion in what is a wide open 152-pound bracket. Hardin’s Shawn Purcell is the likely favorite after finishing second at 145 a year ago, while Corvallis’ Riley Jessop is also strong. But Stokes is on the opposite side of both, and if he wrestles well, a trip to the finals isn’t out of the question. Stokes wrestles Butte Central’s Sean Cooney in the first round.

138 – Parker Filius

160 – Jared Laux

In his first crack at the state tournament, Filius, ranked No. 2, goes in as one of two favorites at 138 pounds.

He hasn’t lost a match to a Class A opponent this season, but Filius has company in his bracket. Sidney’s Jordan Stevens finished second at 140 a year ago, and he and Filius should meet in the final Saturday. However, stalwarts like Butte Central’s Zach Hart, Libby’s Zach Crace, both returning state placers, and Belgrade’s Lyle Degan are all on Stevens’ side so they may have something to say about the outcome. Filius has no returning state placers in his half of the bracket and wrestles Anaconda’s Brevin Thompson in the first round and will face either Colton Grove of Columbia Falls or Braydon Rooks of Sidney in the quarterfinals.

Laux has been a bit of an under-the-radar guy this season, but he came through by finishing second at the Central A last weekend, and he could be a key factor for the Ponies this weekend. His bracket includes returning state placers Wyatt Jessop of Corvallis and Keevan Pickle of Belgrade, while a quarterfinal matchup with Sidney’s Cody Johnson looms. But, overall, appearing in his first state tourney, Laux could really help HHS in the team title race. Laux faces Stevensville’s Braden Loveless in the opening round.

138 – Gunnar Aageson This is another weight Havre is doubled up at. Aageson is a junior with state tourney experience, and he’ll look

152 – Jase Stokes

170 – Jake Williams Injuries have always plagued Williams, but he enters his final state tournament as healthy as he’s been in some time, and also as a Central A champion. With momentum on his side and a favorable draw, Williams, ranked No. 4, will fight hard to reach Saturday’s finals. Ethan Reich of Anaconda is the favorite in the bracket, while

Sidney’s Cody Christian and Libby’s Garrett Chapel are returning state placers, but Williams is poised to have his best state tournament of an injury-riddled career. He’ll face Columbia Falls’ Jason Williams in the first round, with Corvallis’ Tucker Jessop likely waiting for him in the quarters and most likely Chapel in the semifinals.

182 – Dustin Odegard Odegard, too, is a veteran of the state tourney, but now he’s looking for the podium. He’s been consistent for the Ponies all season long and he could make some serious noise this weekend. His bracket includes top seed Ethan Blythe of Lewistown and Dace Fisher of Sidney while Hardin’s Connor Murdock and Polson’s Tele Seeman are also tough. Odegard’s draw starts with Columbia Falls’ Ike Schweichert in the first round and most likely a meeting with Fisher in the quarterfinals.

195 – Jace Billy After rising to a third-place finish at 189 last season, Billy, ranked No. 1, has really taken off in his junior year.

He’s been ranked No. 1 at 195 for most of the season and hasn’t lost to a Class A opponent this year. He’s certainly one of the favorites in his bracket, but it won’t be easy. Dillon’s Parker Tezak and Hamilton’s Michael Bumgartner are returning state placers, while Sidney has two stalwarts qualified in Austin Kendall and Garrett Darby. Corvallis’ Monty Jessop is also strong, but Billy has a shot at state title. He’ll face Andrew Burgess of Columbia Falls first and could see Sidney grapplers in both the quarters and semis.

195 – John Chinadle Chinadle could really help the Ponies in the upper weights, especially in the wrestle backs. He didn’t see much varsity dual time this season, but he got through the Central A and gives Havre more depth. In his first state tourney, Chinadle has to face Northwest A champion Mike Corrigan of Polson.

220 – Tyler Adams Adams, ranked No. 1, came oh-so-close to a state title as a junior. This weekend, he’s expected to win. Adams hasn’t lost to a Class A rival this season and has been a dominant force for the Ponies. Not only should he win the 220-pound title, but he is also a candidate for the Quick Pin Award. That’s how good he’s been this season.

Sidney’s Hunter Severson is Adams’ only road block to the finals, while all of the Southwest A qualifiers are also tough. Still, Adams is as heavy a favorite as there is in any bracket in the tournament.

220 – Travis Adams The biggest road block for Tyler Adams in the 220-pound bracket could be younger brother Travis. A state placer a year ago, Travis, ranked No. 4, was pretty dominant as a heavy for much of the season. But he moved down to 220 for the Central A, setting up Havre with a chance to completely own the bracket. He’ll face Stevi’s Kordale Behner in the first round and he’s on a side of the bracket that doesn’t have a single returning state placer, making an all Adams final entirely possible.

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Pony matmen anxious to get back at it Daniel Horton

Havre has 17 grapplers ready to rumble

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

After entering the holiday break looking to do a little tweaking and looking for some much-needed rest, the Havre High wrestling team is once again ready to take the mat.

But the top-ranked Class A Blue Ponies couldn’t have entered the break wrestling any better. They had earned top finishes each weekend in action including a secondplace finish at the CMR Holiday Classic and a No. 1 finish at the Mining City Duals. If the Ponies utilized the break well, they should continue to be a difficult matchup for whomever they face the rest of the season.

Friday and Saturday, the Ponies will jumpstart the new year when they face another tough field of grapplers in Bozeman.

“We had a great break,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We ran through the whole gamut. We covered

all of our technique and a lot of conditioning, but the kids had a lot of fun and worked hard. But now we have had a long enough break. We have been in the room beating up on ourselves long enough, and we are ready to get on with our season. But we know we have a grind ahead of us in Bozeman, Cut Bank, Missoula and then the Class A Duals. We have four big weekends in a row, but our batteries are recharged and the kids are ready to go.”

Unfortunately, the Ponies don’t re-enter action at 100 percent.

There has been some limited shuffling in the lineup early, but it has held steady for the most part. This weekend the big change comes at 195 pounds. Jace Billy will rest to ensure he is 100 percent moving forward, making room for John Chinadle to take a run at the varsity lineup. Also expected to execute will be Tate Munyan (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dy-

lan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

And it will take a lot of good wrestling for the Ponies to push a good number of wrestlers though the individual brackets.

“We have only gone to Bozeman one time since I have been coaching in Havre, and it was a good tournament,” Filius said.

“It is down without the Billings schools, but we expect to see Great Falls and CMR, a lot of the southern schools, as well as most of the Eastern A and Southern A. It will be a good tournament with some different people we don’t always get to see.”

The way the Ponies have been wrestling, it shouldn’t matter who is on the mat with them. The young grap-

plers are stepping up, and the veteran wrestlers are leading by example. Havre has made it a habit of winning a lot of matches this season, and in the losses, the Ponies aren’t giving up many pins. Whether HHS wrestlers are facing new or familiar foes, they will be looking for the same result, a win in the match and a win in the team standings. With the momentum the Ponies gained to start the season, coach Filius does have an idea of what his team is capable of, but returning home from Bozeman, he should know a whole lot more. After steady improvement from the get go, the break in action could propel the Ponies to polish off an already dominating season.

“I am confident the kids will come out hungry. We have looked awfully good in the room,” Filius said. “We are a young group, but we are veteran enough that we already have a pretty good idea of where they are at.”

Friday and Saturday the Po-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Logan Pleninger and the top-ranked Havre High wrestling team will return from the holiday break when the Blue Ponies attend the Bozeman Invitational Friday and Saturday.

The meet starts a busy four-week stretch for the Ponies, who last wrestled at the CMR Holiday Classic in December.

nies will wrestle in Bozeman

at the Bozeman Invitational.

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Pony matmen can't quite catch the Bison Havre crowns three champs, finishes a close second to GFH at prestigious CMR Holiday Classic Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Entering the holiday break, there probably won’t be too many teams hotter than the Havre High wrestling team has gotten just three weeks into the season.

The Central A Blue Ponies have been dominant in nearly every outing this season, and the trend continued over the weekend in Great Falls. The Ponies were one of several teams to compete in the annual CMR Holiday Classic, one of the toughest outings on the HHS schedule year in and year out.

For the second straight year, the Ponies finished as the second-place team, this year scoring 230 team points, finishing behind only the Class AA Great Falls High Bison. The Bison scored 272 points and proved they are still the team to beat in the Class AA ranks. Bozeman was a distant third with 181 points.

“We did well, and I was pleased with the kids,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “But Great Falls High is just a little bit deeper than we are. They dropped their kids down and got all of their kids in the lineup and are back at full strength. They look pretty good.”

But the Ponies looked good as well. Through the first couple of rounds Friday, the Ponies wrestled 21 matches and dropped just three of those.

Those three losses came in the second round and gave the Ponies 125 points through the first day. Great Falls led after day one with 147 points.

As the weekend continued, the Blue Ponies pushed a great group of individuals deep into the tournament.

Nine total Pony grapplers placed in the top six this weekend and wrestled very well in doing so.

Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Filius (138) and Ty-

ler Adams (220) all won their title matchups, while Thomas Gruber (132) made the championship but finished in second place.

Kennelly, who has now won back-to-back CMR titles, earned a 5-4 decision over Missoula Big Sky’s Jon Conklin, while Tyler Adams pinned Seth Adams of Harlem in 4:08. Filius earned a 6-3 decision over J.J. Werdal of Choteau in the chipper, but first took down Austin Shupe of GFH 7-3 in the semifinals.

Shupe previously defeated Filius four times this season, his only losses as a freshman.

The win for Filius in the semifinals was a big stepping stone in his young career.

“The big thing isn’t the result as much as if you get beat once,” coach Filius said.

“You get beat once, you get beat a third time and sometimes you lose the ability to get out there and compete.

Just the fact that you have your nose in it, you stick in there long enough, and eventually something good is bound to happen. That was a fun one for him.”

Grayson Brenna (120), Jace Billy (195) and Travis Adams (285) also finished in third place. Brenna took down Chinook’s Tate Neideregger 5-2, Billy took down Butte’s Lee Cannon 3-1, and Travis Adams took down Dillon’s Donovan Hucke 5-2 in the third-place round.

Other placers included Dylan Stewart (126) and Jake Williams (170). Stewart and Williams battled their way into the fifth-place round. Stewart got a 6-3 decision over Lane Torgerson of Colstrip while Williams finished with a 7-5 loss to Tanner Stupack of Glacier.

Havre is still a little banged up and remained open at 160 pounds. But at 98 pounds, Tate Munyan had a solid outing, but ended the weekend with a loss in the consolation’s fourth round.

Dustin Odegard (182) also lost out in the fourth round of the consolation bracket, while Logan Pleninger (113), Kody Pribyl (145) and Jase Stokes (152) had a decent weekend. Both Pleninger and Pribyl made the consolation fifth round before losing out, while Stokes lost out in the consolation second round.

"In order to rack up 200 points, you have to place a pile of kids,” Filius said. “We had

nine kids place, and we had three others right on the cusp of placing. We went seven of nine in those placing rounds, so the kids really ended on a good note. We found our kids are going to compete very hard against everybody, the highest caliber of kids. I was very pleased with the performance of all of our guys, they really competed hard.

“Nobody had a cakewalk,” Filius added, “and everybody had quality matches. Tyler Adams and Travis Adams wrestled as well as they have all year and had phenomenal weekends, and Parker Filius and Thomas Gruber were both at the top of their game as well. Jace Billy is also still improving, and I am very pleased with our little guys from Greyson Brenna on down. They did very, very well, and I was very pleased with the kids this weekend.”

The Ponies are off until Jan. 3-4 when they compete at the Bozeman Invitational.

CMR Holiday Classic Team Scores 1. Great Falls 272.5; 2. Havre 230.5; 3. Bozeman 181.5; 4. Missoula Big Sky 151.5; 5. Forsyth 151; 6. Choteau 141; 7. Colstrip 115; 8.

Belgrade 114; 9. Helena Capital 113; 10. CMR 104; 11. Harlem 100.5; 12. Anaconda 84; 13.

Helena 81.5; 14. Dillon 80; 15. Cut Bank 72; 16. Butte 69; 17. Flathead 67; 18. Glacier 66; 19. Conrad 65.5; 20. Great Falls J.V. 52; 21.

Cascade 46; 22. Ronan 40.5; 23. Fergus 37.5; 24. Chinook 35; 25. Laurel 29; 26. Wolf Point 26.5; 27. Glasgow 24.5; 28. CMR J.V. 21; 29.

Butte Central 20.5; 30. Park 20; 31. Shelby 16; 32. Browning 15; 33. Missoula Hellgate 13; 33. (tie) Townsend 13; 35. Fort Benton 12; 35. (tie) Great Falls 3 12; 37. Big Sandy 11; 38. Chester-Joplin-Inverness 9; 39. Belt 3; 39. (tie) Heart Butte 3; 41. CMR 3 0; 41. (tie) Poplar 0

1st-2nd Place 98-Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman, dec. Sawyer Degen, Belgrade, 12-7 OT; 106-Keegan Kennelly, Havre, dec. Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky, 5-4; 113-Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital, dec. Tyler Meyer, Great Falls, 9-6; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls, pinned Gage Currier, Colstrip, :55; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls, pinned Landon Bailey, Helena, 2:44; 132-Jarrett Degen, Belgrade, dec.

Thomas Gruber, Havre, 5-2; 138-Parker Filius, Havre, dec. J.J. Werdal, Choteau, 6-3; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth, dec. Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda, 11-5; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth, dec. Jared Dickson, CMR, 9-3; 160-Walker Ferda, Great Falls, dec. Garrett Moritz, Conrad, 4-2; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth, dec. Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky, 4-3; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls, M-Dec Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital, 11-3; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman, M-Dec Jake French, Choteau, 14-5; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre, pinned Seth Adams, Harlem, 4:08; 285-Bryce Wigert, Anaconda, Def Tucker Yates, Colstrip High School 3rd-4th Place 98-Devin Altenburg, CMR, dec. Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, 7-3; 106-Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, dec. Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, 4-1; 113-Caleb James, Bozeman, dec. Demo

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High Thomas Gruber, left, battles an opponent during Havre High Invitationa.

Koures, Missoula Big Sky, 10-7; 120-Grayson Brenna, Havre, dec. Tate Neideregger, Chinook, 5-2; 126-Shay Snider, Harlem, pinned Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, 1:40; 132-Matt Weber, Forsyth, dec. Seth James, Bozeman, 3-0; 138-Austin Shupe, Great Falls, M-Dec Jesse Johnson, Cascade, 11-2; 145-Levi Renz, Butte, dec. Gage Bentley, Great Falls, 11-7; 152-Kessler Leonard, Great Falls, dec. Trey Stone, Choteau, 9-4; 160-Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, dec. Keevan Pickle, Belgrade, 5-4; 170-Steeler French, Choteau, dec. Cody Henderson, Great Falls, 3-2; 182-Ethan Blythe, Fergus, M-Dec Layne Durfee, Choteau, 9-0; 195-Jace Billy, Havre, dec. Lee Cannon, Butte, 3-1; 220-Eric Weaver, Great Falls, dec. Hunter Hart, Bozeman, 8-5; 285-Travis Adams, Havre, dec. Donovan Hucke, Dillon, 5-2 5th-6th Place 98-Justin Gibson, Glacier, dec. Chase DeBoo, Choteau, 7-3; 106-Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, dec. Tyler Vetter, Butte, 10-7; 113-Clayton Currier, Colstrip, pinned Chance Snellman, Dillon, 1:18; 120-Clayton Carter, Laurel, pinned Caleb Shigley, Great Falls, J.V., 1:42; 126-Dylan Stewart, Havre, dec. Lane Torgerson, Colstrip, 6-3; 132-Teague Jones, Harlem, pinned Seth Currier, Colstrip, :48; 138-Logan McGreevey, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Zach Hart, Butte Central, 3-1; 145-Isiah Yates, CMR, dec. Brenden Johnson, Harlem, 8-4; 152-Kade Branson, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Ben Manion, Bozeman, 5-0; 160-Anthony Wright, Flathead, dec. Andrew Fabian, Bozeman, 2-1; 170-Tanner Stupack, Glacier, dec. Jake Williams, Havre, 7-5; 182-Hunter Mycke, Conrad, M-Dec Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, 12-1; 195-Payton Sexe, CMR, dec. Conner Gordon, Missoula Big Sky, 7-2; 220-Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, pinned Zach Bauer, Missoula Hellgate, 2:29; 285-Axel Bladholm, Flathead, pinned Colter Miller, Missoula Big Sky, 3:48 Championship Semifinals 98-Sawyer Degen, Belgrade p. Justin Gibson, Glacier, 5:50; Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman MDec Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, 10-0; 106-Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky p. Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, 5:45; Keegan Kennelly, Havre dec.

Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, 3-2; 113-Tyler Meyer, Great Falls dec. Clayton Currier, Colstrip, 6-5; Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital p. Caleb James, Bozeman, 3:53; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls p. Clayton Carter, Laurel, 4:47; Gage Currier, Colstrip dec. Grayson

Brenna, Havre, 2-0; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls M-Dec Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, 122; Landon Bailey, Helena dec. Shay Snider, Harlem, 2-0; 132-Thomas Gruber, Havre p.

Seth Currier, Colstrip, 5:08; Jarrett Degen, Belgrade dec. Teague Jones, Harlem, 3-1; 138-Parker Filius, Havre dec. Austin Shupe, Great Falls, 7-3; J.J. Werdal, Choteau dec.

Jesse Johnson, Cascade, 7-6; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth p. Gage Bentley, Great Falls, 5:04; Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda dec. Levi Renz, Butte, 1-0; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth dec. Kessler Leonard, Great Falls, 8-2; Jared Dickson, CMR p. Trey Stone, Choteau, 5:22; 160-Garrett Moritz, Conrad dec. Keevan Pickle, Belgrade, 4-3; Walker Ferda, Great Falls M-Dec Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, 12-3; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth dec. Tanner Stupack, Glacier, 12-8; Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky M-Dec Steeler French, Choteau, 110; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls dec. Ethan Blythe, Fergus, 4-3; Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital dec. Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, 7-4; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman dec. Lee Cannon, Butte, 9-2; Jake French, Choteau dec.

Jace Billy, Havre, 10-8 OT; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre dec. Eric Weaver, Great Falls, 8-0; Seth Adams, Harlem dec. Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, 6-5; 285-Tucker Yates, Colstrip p. Travis Adams, Havre, 2:50; Bryce Wigert, Anaconda p. Donovan Hucke, Dillon, 4:59.

Championship Quarterfinals 98-Justin Gibson, Glacier, p. Nate Sargent, Helena, :49; Sawyer Degen, Belgrade, p.

Chase DeBoo, Choteau, 3:41; Nick Kunz, Helena Capital, p. Tate Munyan, Havre, 2:19; Bjorn Schroeder, Bozeman, p. Tony Roso, Cascade, 3:08; 106-Jon Conklin, Missoula Big Sky, p. Adam Oja, Bozeman, 3:30; Kohltin Starkel, Dillon, p. Trevor Moore, Choteau, 1:29; Maestro Martinez, Wolf Point, p. Shawn O’Brien, Townsend, 1:19; Keegan Kennelly, Havre, p. Keaton Anderson, Cut Bank, 3:59; 113-Clayton Currier, Colstrip, p. Bryson Henningsen, Butte, :32; Tyler Meyer, Great Falls, p.

Chance Snellman, Dillon, 3:22; Caleb James, Bozeman, p. Demo Koures, Missoula Big Sky, 1:24; Seth Schroeck, Helena Capital, dec.

Logan Pleninger, Havre, 4-0; 120-Jarren Komac, Great Falls, p. Kwin Stoddard, Dillon, :34; Clayton Carter, Laurel, p. Connor DeBruycker, Fort Benton, 1:17; Gage Currier, Colstrip, p. Jake OMalley, Helena, :56; Grayson Brenna, Havre, p. Cole Snyder, Ronan, 3:46; 126-Tommy McMillen, Great Falls, p.

Jake Norby, Chinook, 1:17; Colt McDaniel, Forsyth, p. Dylan Stewart, Havre, 3:31;

Landon Bailey, Helena, p. Jake Shawver, Glasgow, 3:29; Shay Snider, Harlem, dec.

Ryder Day, Glacier, 5-3; 132-Thomas Gruber, Havre, dec. Matt Weber, Forsyth, 5-3; Seth Currier, Colstrip, p. Kenton Evans, Great Falls, 3:37; Teague Jones, Harlem, dec. Travis Vermulm, Cut Bank, 7-3; Jarrett Degen, Belgrade T-Fall Seth James, Bozeman, 20-5; 138-Austin Shupe, Great Falls, p. John Bell, Harlem, :45; Parker Filius, Havre, dec.

Jace Berkram, Cut Bank, 7-4; Jesse Johnson, Cascade, p. Lyle Degen, Belgrade, :58; J.J. Werdal, Choteau, p. Blaine Berg, Conrad, 4:59; 145-Luke Weber, Forsyth, p. CJ Snyder, Helena Capital, 3:35; Gage Bentley, Great Falls T-Fall Kody Pribyl, Havre, 20-5; Levi Renz, Butte, dec. Isiah Yates, CMR, 11-6; Bryan Armstrong, Anaconda, p. PJ Ayers, Fort Benton, 3:20; 152-Brandon Weber, Forsyth, p. Arik Lybeck, Glacier, :15; Kessler Leonard, Great Falls M-Dec Austin Blaede, Colstrip, 155; Trey Stone, Choteau, p. John Pepos, Cascade, 1:42; Jared Dickson, CMR, p. Colton McElhinney, Great Falls JV, 2:55; 160-Garrett Moritz, Conrad, dec. Andrew Fabian, Bozeman, 8-3; Keevan Pickle, Belgrade M-Dec Jacob Ferkin, Glacier, 10-0; Robert Jennings, Cut Bank, p. Anthony Wright, Flathead, 3:57; Walker Ferda, Great Falls T-Fall Ronny Cullis, Ronan, 17-2; 170-Chris Nile, Forsyth, p.

Lance Massey, Great Falls JV, 1:22; Tanner Stupack, Glacier, p. Grady Blewett, Belgrade, 1:12; Steeler French, Choteau, p. Ethan Reich, Anaconda, 4:54; Luke Entzel, Missoula Big Sky, dec. Cody Henderson, Great Falls, 2-0; 182-Randy Keesler, Great Falls, p. Jacob Bell, Missoula Big Sky, :22; Ethan Blythe, Fergus M-Dec Layne Durfee, Choteau, 113; Alan Schmitz, Helena Capital, p. Mitchell Stivers, Flathead, 4:21; Raven Cunningham, Belgrade, p. Hunter Mycke, Conrad, 3:02; 195-Keavon Buckley, Bozeman, p. Michael Ollinger, Browning, 1:56; Lee Cannon, Butte, dec. Payton Sexe, CMR, 4-3; Jace Billy, Havre, dec. Conner Gordon, Missoula Big Sky, 10-6; Jake French, Choteau, dec.

Parker Tezak, Dillon, 11-4; 220-Tyler Adams, Havre, p. Tyler Brewer, Missoula Big Sky, 2:38; Eric Weaver, Great Falls, p. Justin Pfiefer, Cut Bank, :53; Dillon Koffman, Helena Capital, p. Travis Field, Choteau, 2:58; Seth Adams, Harlem, p. Jake Sessions (soph), Colstrip, 5:55; 285-Tucker Yates, Colstrip, p. Colten Rue-Zindell, Great Falls JV, 1:07; Travis Adams, Havre, p. Che Littledog, Cut Bank, 1:00; Bryce Wigert, Anaconda, dec.

Zach Dennehy, Glacier, 7-4; Donovan Hucke, Dillon, p. Roberto Smith, Great Falls, 3:25.

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2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton The Havre High wrestling team poses on the podium Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings after capturing the 2014 Class A state championship. The Blue Ponies scored a record 294.5 points and held off Sidney for their second straight state championship and ninth under head coach Scott Filius. Below left: Havre senior Thomas Gruber lifts Sidney's Layne Schaefer during their 132-pound consolation final. Gruber won and finished third. Below middle: Keegan Kennelly, who finished second. Bottom right: Jake Williams, who finished fifth.

Havre High wins its ninth Class A state title Final Tally: Havre 294.5, Sidney 268.5 State Champs: 4, Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220).

State Placers: 13

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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2014 CLASS A

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Blue Ponies go back to work at CMR Classic Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com The holiday break is just around the corner for Havre High, but first, the Havre wrestling team must take on the 36th annual CMR Holiday Classic.

The annual tournament is undoubtedly one of the state’s toughest, bringing in standout programs and individuals from all over the state. And the Central A Blue Ponies will look to make their mark on the two-day event as they attempt to one-up last year’s second-place finish. The No. 1-ranked Ponies will be in Great Falls Friday and Saturday for their last source of competition until January.

Last year, the Ponies were the No. 2 team with 205 points, finishing behind Great Falls High with 243 at the CMR tourney.

And Havre is coming off of a disappointing dual loss to Class AA Great Falls High Tuesday night at the Havre High gymnasium.

But looking to quickly move on, the Ponies are prepared for another strong showing this weekend.

“We are looking forward to wrestling this weekend,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “We are looking forward to going to a tournament where we can get some individual stuff done.”

Last weekend, the Ponies emerged as the No. 1 team at the Mining City Duals in Butte.

That is the goal this weekend in Great Falls, where the Ponies should have several indi-

viduals shine. Last year HHS had eight grapplers earn matches in the semifinals, six in the finals, and had one individual champion, Grayson Brenna at 105 pounds. The Havre lineup has been strong to this point, and could very well top last years’ impressive finish against the field of talent from Great Falls High, CMR, Bozeman, Forsyth, Belgrade, Kalispell Glacier, Helena High, Choteau, Ronan, Missoula Big Sky, Laurel, Kalispell Flathead and many more. This weekend’s field will also include the Harlem Wildcats, who will make some noise individually, as well as Chinook and Chester/J-I. During the Tuesday night dual against the Bison, it was the first time the Ponies weren’t at full strength. They had some holes at 106 and 160 pounds. If the Ponies can get back to full strength, the lineup should do well in Great Falls. The expected Havre varsity lineup will be Tate Munyon (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jayson Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

“Early in the season I like the team tournaments because everybody advances and everybody gets matches,” coach Filius said.

“But we are ready for an individual tournament. Even the Havre Invite is like a team tournament because of the way we run things,

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Two Brothers, One Medal

Havre High's Tyler and Travis Adams compete for a 220-pound title Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Parker Filius, left, battles Great Falls High's Austin Schupe during a dual Tuesday night in Havre. Filius and Shupe could meet again at this weekend's CMR Holiday Classic in Great Falls, where the Ponies and Bison will be favored. so we are ready for this weekend.”

The Ponies will be in Great Falls Friday

and Saturday for the CMR Holiday Classic which will be held at the CMR Fieldhouse.

Once a Havre High wrestler reaches the state tournament, he finds himself facing an individual from another area of the state — most of the time. Typically, it is an opponent outside the division for the Central A Blue Pony grappler.

Most times, Havre grapplers have to get through Sidney, Corvallis, Laurel and the rest of the Class A to reach glory.

Sometimes, the two going head to head for state supremacy have never even crossed paths in the past, but on some occasions the two may be extremely familiar with one another.

Take senior Tyler Adams and sophomore Travis Adams for example, two of the Blue Ponies who will be wrestling this weekend at the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings in the Class A state meet.

The HHS brothers have had their share of battles in the practice room and even carpool to the Havre wrestling room after school.

The Adams brothers don’t often face off during the season, as Travis wrestles up. Travis wrestled as the HHS heavyweight this season, but they will compete together and against each other as they both chase an individual state title.

Last year, Tyler and Travis both wrestled at 215 pounds at the state

tournament. Tyler made the championship match and finished No. 2 for the Ponies. Tyler also wrestled at 215 pounds two years ago when he took fifth. Travis didn’t have quite as much success as his older brother did last year, finishing the state weekend with sixth place, but this weekend both Tyler and Travis will wrestle at 220 pounds, and they are both looking to win the same state championship.

It’s a unique situation, to say the least.

It is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two brothers, two years apart, to face off in the state championship match.

“It’s pretty exciting and makes me proud that we will both be there,” Tyler said. “On one end, it kind of sucks because Travis is my little brother, but on the other hand I am still proud of him that he has this chance. But he has all the chance in the world to beat everybody in our weight class, but me.”

Tyler made the bold statement with a smile on his face and laugh under his breath. But Travis brushed off his brother’s statement and did what any smart little brother would do in his situation, complimented his older brother, not giving Tyler any extra incentive.

“I think that he is a great wrestler,” Travis said. “He is the best in the state at 220 pounds in the Class A. I have been wrestling with him for years now, since we were young.

I have learned the same things he has learned, just right after him, and I think we have helped each other grow over the years.”

Every day in practice means Tyler and Travis go head to head. But they don’t have the longest resume when it comes to meeting on the mat outside the practice room.

Technically, the two are 1-1 against each other. Tyler defeated Travis in their first meeting last season with a win in the Central A semifinals. This year, Travis got his revenge, at least on paper, when he got the default win over Tyler in the Central A finals, leveling the playing field just before they hopefully cross paths in the Class A state championship match.

While both have proved they are talented Blue Ponies, Tyler may have the edge because of the extra experience.

“That would be my explanation for it, experience,” Tyler said. “Travis is good. But it works out well because when we face each other in practice we expose each other to what we need to work at. Some of the time, what I am not good at, Travis is good at, and what Travis isn’t good at, I may be good at. It is a give and take and it is good for us, so I think this could be an interesting finals match.”

But when asked if he would let his little brother stand in the way of getting an individual title after a second-place finish a year ago, Tyler’s statement was short and to the point.

“I will not let him win,” Tyler Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High sophomore Travis Adams, left, wrestles a Browning heavyweight at the 2013 Havre Invitational back in December.

Adams placed sixth at the state meet a year ago in the heavyweight division and was solid throughout the season for the Blue Ponies, but he has since dropped down to the 220-pound weight class and will compete against older brother Tyler for the coveted state championship this weekend in Billings.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High senior Tyler Adams, top, is the No. 1 220-pounder in Class A and a heavy favorite to win the Class A state championship this weekend in Billings. However, Adams might have to go through younger brother Travis to get there, and he says that's just fine with him. said.

But a win by Travis would mean a win for little brothers everywhere.

“If I win, that would probably be one of the biggest moments of my life,” Travis said. “I will be honest, in a way I hope Tyler can win because it is his senior year, and I have two years left, but I definitely won’t be making it easy on him.”

Tyler also went on to explain how this match could be very entertaining, or could be somewhat boring to fans. The two know each other’s style so well, it may be a battle just to earn a point. As much as both would love to come out and dominate in the state title match, if these two brothers take down the rest of the field to meet there, then it might be a chess match for the coveted top spot.

“I just have to wrestle my best, wrestle like I was taught and how I have trained. That is what I expect out of him, too,” Tyler said. “But it will be a good match for us either way, exciting or not. For example, I can tell when he is going to do something like an arm drag, and he can tell when I am going to take a shot, we are used to each other. But I also think that could make it more interesting.”

In order to wrestle for the 220-pound state championship, the Adams brothers each have to win three times, including twice today in the opening rounds of the Class A state tournament in Billings. But if they both do succeed in getting to the finals, it will be a great situation for Havre, and an interesting and intense one for two brothers, who are both big, and both good.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Blue Ponies, girls, small schools, whatever it is, state is never dull Kick the Beat...

Daniel Horton Sports Writer If you have seen one state wrestling tournament at the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena, you have not seen them all, not even close.

I have had the privilege of covering the all-class tournament for several years now, and every year the story lines which come away from the 12 mats are some of the best in prep sports in all of Montana.

The 2014 state tournament was no exception, as some of the hardestworking athletes in the state accomplished things they will never forget.

And it wasn’t just the Havre High squad writing those memories. I witnessed amazing things coming from many different classes, athletes and teams. I know Huntley Project’s Koni Dole received a lot of press coverage over the last couple of years, losing his leg to a horrific football injury, but choosing to return to the gridiron, but I got to see him wrestle in person, and it was great to see.

Dole took on the B-C competition at 195 pounds and pulled off an emotional third-place finish and 3-1 record. I only got to see one of Dole’s matches, but it was the best one. In the consolation final, Dole pinned Antonio Lopez of Malta in 2:37, and the Metra erupted with chants, cheers and clapping, as a teary-eyed Dole went from having his arm held up in victory, to wrapping his arms around coaches and family.

I think that is one of the bravest high school athletes I have ever seen in competition, and that is the kind of thing that keeps fans, wrestlers, referees and volunteers coming back year after year.

Remember the name Abi Gontarek as well ... she is another prep athlete that had everybody in Billings talking.

I have seen a female wrestler take on the guys on the mat, but I have never seen this amount of success on such a big stage. Gontarek wrestled at 98 pounds and finished in fifth place. I didn’t see her 10-8 decision win to start the weekend, or her 7-4 decision two matches later, but I did see Gontarek pull off a great reversal with time literally running out to take out Manny Guzman of Columbia Falls with a 6-4 fifth-place win.

By Gontarek’s reaction, you

would have thought she was just crowned the state champion. By the way the crowd reacted, it was clear there were plenty of people who took notice when she took the mat Saturday.

It’s also nice to see a little local history being made at the state level.

Big programs like the Class AA Great Falls Bison got a lot of attention over the weekend, and they deserved it. I mean, they did send more than 20 kids to state and 17 of them earned medals during their second consecutive team title. Six earned individual titles as well, as the Bison’s 353.5 points almost seemed unfair to the rest of the AA field.

But the Bison are used to the spotlight, and I was really impressed with the small-town Harlem Wildcats from right here on the Hi-Line.

I have seen some great individuals come through the Wildcat program.

They continue to take steps forward and find a way to compete with the bigger schools It was great for me to see Harlem make some history, pushing four individuals into the championship round for the first time.

Yes, Havre High is pretty good at making state memorable as well.

It is one thing to see a senior finally accomplish a long-awaited No.

1 finish, but it is another thing entirely to see a freshman storm onto the scene and force his dominance on the rest of the state. Tyler Adams was able to get his title at 220 pounds, over his younger brother, Travis Adams, and that is a great story in itself, but I want to know what gives a freshman grappler the right to come in and outperform the rest of the field in their first season out?

Whatever it was driving freshmen this weekend, it was working and it was special.

Parker Filius (138) and Jase Stokes (152) did that for the Ponies.

I was expecting them to erupt with emotion after winning their respective titles — maybe that was the photojournalist in me looking for a great picture opportunity.

But the athlete in them trumped my hopes as they were calm, cool and collected before and after every match. They were fun to watch take in the whole state experience, and if I didn’t know they were just freshmen, I wouldn’t have guessed it by their performances on the mat.

I don’t think there is such a thing as a dull moment when it comes to state wrestling. One athlete might be hunting their first-ever title, while another may be capping off a great prep career before moving on to the college ranks.

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Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com With almost no break, the Havre High wrestling team continues full steam ahead.

After two championships to start the season, the Central A Blue Ponies await another tough dual tonight. For the third time already this season, the Ponies will see the Class AA Great Falls High Bison in action. Tonight at 5, the Ponies and Bison will dual at the Havre High gymnasium.

Havre saw the Bison at the

Either way, if you can find the stories in between the bigger stories, state weekend turns into more than just one wrestler versus another wrestler.

In other words, the big picture is what makes this weekend so great.

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Busy Blue Ponies square off with Bison tonight Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre's Jace Billy, front, goes for an escape during his Class A 195-pound state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Invite two weeks ago, and defeated the Bison over the weekend at the Mining City Duals. Tonight will be slightly lower key than the Mining City Duals, but it is still a good opportunity for the Ponies to get quality matches this early in the new season and, of course, it’s a matchup of two of Montana’s premier wrestling programs.

Both squads are very familiar with each other. The Bison have been struggling with some injuries but are expected to bring in at least what they wrestled with this past weekend in Butte. The Ponies are preparing for Tyler Schilling (113),

Tyler Meyer (120), Kenton Evans (126), Tommy McMillen (132), Austin Shupe (138), Gage Bentley (145), Kessler Leonard (152), Walker Ferda (160), Cody Henderson (170), Randy Keesler (182), Mateo Amado-Gattaneo (195), Eric Weaver (220) and Roberto Smith (285).

It should be another tough matchup for the Ponies individually and as a team, but seniors Thomas Gruber, Jayson Kohler, Jake Williams, Dustin Odegard and Tyler Williams will also be honored as the Ponies are on the road the rest of the winter.

And the expected Havre lineup

will be Tate Munyon (98), Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Gunnar Aageson (145), Jase Stokes (152), Kohler (160), Jordan Schroeder (160), Jake Williams (170), Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285).

“We have seen each other a lot already,” Filius said. “And I guess instead of going after our own guys in practice, we will bang heads with Great Falls High one more time.

They have kids out of the lineup,

and we haven’t seen them at full strength yet, but once they get everybody back they will be a handful for anybody. But it is always fun to face them because they are so sound.”

Lewistown was scheduled to make the trip tonight as well, but backed out. The defending Class A state champion Ponies and defending Class AA state champion Bison are scheduled to take the mat at 5 at the HHS gymnasium. Havre will then travel to Great Falls for Friday and Saturday’s CMR Holiday Classic before taking Christmas week off.

Healthy Bison get their revenge Great Falls High hands Havre its first dual loss of the season Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com A dominating start to the season had the Havre High wrestling team rolling through the schedule in the first two weeks of action. But the Class AA Great Falls High Bison gave the Blue Ponies their first road block of the year.

With the Central A Ponies and Bison crossing paths multiple times already this season, both programs are very familiar with the other.

And with every meeting, and with every match, it has almost been a tossup for who is going to come out on top. Saturday, the Ponies defeated the Bison in the semifinals of the Mining City Duals, but Tuesday night at the Havre High gymnasium, the Bison defeated the Ponies 36-20.

“They wrestled harder than we did,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “They turned around some matches, and our kids didn’t want to perform to their ability.

They out-wrestled us in our own gym, and we both had an awful long weekend, so there is really no reason for us not showing up.”

Both teams were open at 106 pounds, but Havre started off strong with a Tate Munyan forfeit win at 98 pounds, followed by wins at 113 and 120 pounds. Logan Pleninger (113) earned a 10-2 major decision over Bailey Berthelson and Grayson Brenna (120) earned a 9-6 decision over defending AA state champion Jarren Komac. Dylan Stewart (126)

was pinned in 4:20, but Thomas Gruber had a standout senior night with a hard fought 8-6 win over Thomas McMillen at 132 pounds.

Gruber was 2-2 against McMillen so far this season, but one-upped the standout sophomore with a late escape in the second period, and a reversal to start the third. Gruber led 7-4 and fended off McMillen’s late rush to grab the 8-6 decision.

“It is always great to get some revenge on a guy that is a good opponent,” Gruber said. “You get that nervous feeling because it has gone both ways in the past, but I think the motivation of senior night and having the home crowd really helped me a lot. It is a great feeling.”

But the heart of the Ponies’ lineup struggled on Tuesday night.

HHS led 16-6 after Gruber’s win, but GFH reeled off six consecutive wins to lead the dual 30-16. The Bison also won eight of the last nine matches to keep the Ponies from coming back At 195 pounds Jace Billy kept the Ponies’ hopes alive late in the dual.

The Ponies trailed 30-16, but Billy could give the Ponies a shot at a team win with a major decision, technical fall, or fall. Billy had Mateo Amado-Cattaneo on the ropes two different times with a near fall, but couldn’t quite earn the pin. Instead he used three take downs and two late points due to stalling to earn the 16-2 major decision, narrowing the deficit to 30-20.

Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (285) battled, but dropped their matches. Tyler Adams lost 6-4 in overtime after leading 4-2 with four seconds to wrestle, and Travis Adams lost 7-5.

Parker Filius (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jake Williams (170) and Dustin Odegard (182) all suffered losses for

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre's Jace Billy holds down Great Falls' Mateo Amado-Cattaneo during a dual meet Tuesday night at the HHS gymnasium. Billy won the match by major decision, but the Blue Ponies lost to the Bison, 36-20. the Ponies in the middle of the dual, all against tough opponents.

HHS also gave up a forfeit loss at 160-pounds.

The Blue Ponies wrestled well for the most part, but didn’t show they wanted it more than the Bison according to coach Filius. And that needs to be fixed moving forward, not quite the same fix as if it were due to technical mistakes or due to poor execution.

“Crisis of heart is the hardest thing to fix on a team,” Filius said.

“It’s not technique, so it is a tough fix. I think all the guys wrestled hard, but some of them wrestled hard and not smart, and some of them wrestled not hard enough. But we got exposed, and we wouldn’t have known we needed to work on it if it hadn’t been exposed, that is why we wrestle these duals.”

Havre gets a couple days of practice before heading to the CMR Holiday Classic in Great Falls Friday and Saturday.

Great Falls High 36, Havre 20

98 – Tate Munyan, HHS won by forfeit; 106 – open; 113 – Logan Pleninger, HHS maj. dec. Bailey Berthelson 10-2; 120 – Grayson Brenna, HHS dec. Jarren Komac 9-6; 126 – Kenton Evans, GFH pinned Dylan Stewart 4:20; 132 – Thomas Gruber, HHS dec.

Thomas McMillen 8-6; 138 – Austin Shupe, GFH dec. Parker Filius 5-2; 145 – Gage Bentley, GFH maj. dec. Kody Pribyl 12-4; 152 – Kessler Leonard, GFH maj. dec. Jase Stokes 14-6; 160 – Walker Ferda, GFH won by forfeit; 170 – Cody Henderson, GFH dec. Jake Williams 8-5; 182 – Randy Keesler, GFH maj. dec. Dustin Odegard 15-6; 195 – Jace Billy, HHS maj. dec. Mateo Amado-Cattaneo 16-2; 220 – Eric Weaver, GFH dec. Tyler Adams 6-4; 285 – Roberto Smith, GFH dec. Travis Adams 7-5.

28

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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5

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre grapplers strike gold at the tough Mining City Duals

Finals: Six Ponies marched in Parade of Champions

Blue Ponies take down AA powers GFH and Skyview to win the Mining City title

with a dominating takedown and pin in the second period. It was a state run that began with a pin over Brevlin Thompson of Anaconda, a pin over Colton Gove of Columbia Falls and a 10-0 major decision over Tyler Olsen of Corvallis in the semifinals. But in the 138-pound chipper, Filius turned his 2-1 lead through one into a 3:23 pin over Sidney’s Jordan Stevens.

And in another unique situation, Parker Filius also got to share his triumph with family. Head coach Scott Filius is Parker’s father and has been his coach almost as long as he has been his father. Parker has been wrestling all over the country since the age of five and has found it very comforting to have his father and coach in his corner.

“I have been working for this all year,” Parker said. “But I have been wrestling since I was little, and I have wanted to win a state title since watching matches here growing up. This is pretty cool. And (my dad) treats me just like everybody else, I have to put in the same work everybody else does. But yeah, it is nice to know he is right there supporting me as my coach and as my dad.”

Scott Filius, father and coach,

George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com It is still early, just two weeks into the new season, but the hype surrounding the defending Class A state wrestling champions continues to be proven true.

The Havre High wrestling team has been as impressive as any team in the state the last two weeks. The Central A Blue Ponies were the No. 1 team a week ago at the Havre High Invite, beating out Class AA Great Falls High and CMR. But the Ponies looked even better in their second weekend of action, this time earning the top team finish at the Mining City Duals in Butte.

Many of the state’s top programs were in attendance Friday and Saturday, but the Ponies found little resistance before claiming the title with a 33-31 win over Billings Skyview in the championship dual. In the semifinals, the Ponies also chopped down the Great Falls High Bison 45-31. HHS went 7-0 in duals over the two days, including a 48-27 win over Bozeman, a 68-10 win over Helena Capital, and an 81-0 win over Polson Friday in the pool portion of the prestigious

tourney. Saturday, the Ponies added a 69-12 win over Helena High and a 58-15 win over Columbia Falls.

Last year, the Ponies finished as the No. 2 team in their first two weeks of action, but still proved to be the No. 1 team in the Class A. “Our kids wrestled well,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “One of the things we had going for was that we didn’t have any holes in our lineup.

And anytime we got beat, those kids really had to work against our guys to get it done. It was a fun weekend.”

The championship dual was the biggest test for the Ponies.

Billings Skyview won seven matches, including a forfeit win at 170 pounds, but the Ponies gained the advantage with eight individual wins, including a Travis Adams forfeit win at 285 pounds and a Grayson Brenna win by forfeit at 120 pounds. Keegan Kennelly (106)

defeated Danny Maciel 11-5, Dylan Stewart (126) defeated Jake Burkhalter 5-2, Thomas Gruber (132) defeated Brenton Buerkley 5-2, Parker Filius (138) defeated Jace Holman 3-2, Kody Pribyl (145) pinned Aaron Gordon in 4:52, and Jace Billy (195) defeated Mathew Welch 12-6.

In the remaining six losses by the Pony grapplers, only two came at the hands of a fall. Tate Munyon (98) was pinned in 39 seconds, and Dustin Odegard (182) was pinned in 1:16. Logan Pleninger (113) lost 1-0, Jase Stokes (152) lost 9-2, Jayson Kohler (160) lost 123, and Tyler Adams (220) lost 4-3.

It was a close win by the Ponies, but the tough matchups are what are going to make the Ponies better.

“The best thing about this weekend was we saw the best of the Class AA and Class A have to offer,” Filius said. “And if you can keep winning, you run into those top teams

like Great Falls High and Billings Skyview.

And those matches we got, those matches are good building blocks for our kids. Those guys wrestled us all the way through the whistle, and they really made us better all the way around.”

Kennelly, Brenna, Gruber and Pribyl all went undefeated on the weekend, while Billy, Tyler Adams, Travis Adams, Parker Filius and Williams suffered just one loss each. It was a dominating outing by the Ponies both days, and from top to bottom, the entire lineup wrestled very well.

“From where we started the weekend, to where we finished the weekend, we are miles ahead,” coach Filius said. “Each duel that got tougher, our kids had to dig a little deeper and find a way to respond, and they did. I was just really pleased with the kids, especially the younger ones. Some of our best stuff came in matches where we were overmatched and kids were better than us.

You see other teams when that happens, their kids roll over and get pinned, but our guys competed all the way through and weren’t getting pinned. We gave up a decision, but not a major decision, a fall, or a tech fall, and that made a big difference.”

The Ponies will look to keep the momentum rolling Tuesday night when they host Great Falls High for a dual at 5 p.m. at the Havre High Gymnasium in Havre. Lewistown was scheduled to make the trip as well, but decided not to attend.

www.havredailynews.com

■ From Page 4 tries to separate the feelings while competing, but that is easier said than done.

“It is a little different, I work hard to not make it different, but it is,” he said. “You can’t help but to have that tighter relationship, but more than anything I might have just had a little higher blood pressure during the match. But I was confident, and I felt good for Parker.”

Stokes followed suit with a dominating finish of his own.

After earning three straight pins to get to the title match, Stokes finished his first state tournament with a pin over Bryan Schaffer of Columbia Falls in 4:50. Stokes also pinned Sean Cooney of Butte Central, John Preller of Laurel and Mason Mavrinac of Anaconda. Stokes’ pin over Schaffer came with just 10 seconds left in the match. He didn’t need the pin to win as he had a commanding 10-0 lead, but the fall did help Stokes earn the quick pin award for the Class A. “This is awesome,” Stokes said following his win. “I like that I helped my team out too, this is a great experience. I really worked hard in the room with some good partners. Parker (Filius) is my partner most of the time so that

was good and that really helped me get better as the season went on.”

Both Filius and Stokes now have the opportunity to become four-time state champions for the Ponies.

Havre has had plenty of standout freshmen in the past, but have not had that opportunity in some time.

“I am just taking it one year at a time,” Filius said. “Right now I am just focused on winning another one next year, so right now the goal isn’t four titles, it’s two.

“I have thought about it a little bit,” Stokes added, “But it is a long ways away, so I still have to work hard for that. But it is nice to know that it is at least possible in the future.”

Kennelly and Travis Adams didn’t get that individual title they were hoping for, but they still had great weekends. It was especially heartbreaking for Kennelly who now has back-to-back No. 2 finishes.

Kennelly took an early 2-0 lead, but fell behind 3-2 after giving up an escape and takedown near the end of the first period. The score was tied at 3-3 when Kennelly started the second with an escape, but Kohltin Starkel proved to be as tough as they come, grabbing another take down before giving up an escape at the end of the second.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Parker Filius, top, rides Sidney's Jordan Stevens during their 138-pound Class A state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Filius pinned Stevens for the state title, and also likely clinched the Ponies' win over the Eagles in the team title race.

Kennelly trailed just 5-4 heading into the final period, but another takedown by Starkel with just 34 seconds left stretched the deficit to 8-5, the eventual final decision

score.

It was tough for Kennelly, but overall, it was another great weekend for the Blue Pony wrestling team.

2014 Class A State Wrestling Results Class A Final team scores Havre 294.5, Sidney 268.5, Columbia Falls 172, Belgrade 155, Hardin 140, Corvallis 109.5, Frenchtown 96, Anaconda 88, Dillon 86.5, Polson 73, Hamilton 63, Libby 61, Glendive 59, Lewistown 56.5, Laurel 41.5, Butte Central 30, Billings Central 29, Browning 26.5, Whitefish 19, Miles City 13, Stevensville 7, Livingston 6.

Finals 98 — Sawyer Degen (BEL) pinned Eric LaFontaine (HAR), 1:38; 106 — Kohltin Starkel (DIL) dec. Keegan Kennelly (HAV), 8-5; 113 — Trace Jones (SID) pinned Clay Stillwagon (BUC), 1:51; 120 — Gresh Jones (SID) major dec. Chase Conner (COR), 9-0; 126 — Shonn Roberts (CFS) dec.

Ethan Graves (SID), 8-5; 132 — Jarrett Degen (BEL) dec. Dillon Tenant (GLE), 6-3; 138 — Parker Filius (HAV) pinned Jordan Stevens (SID), 3:23; 145 — Bryan Armstrong (ANA) dec. Ryan Chatterton (SID), 4-0; 152 — Jase Stokes (HAV) pinned Bryan Schaffer (CFS), 4:50; 160 — Cody Johnson (SID) major dec. Keevan Pickle (BEL), 5:00; 170 — Garret Chapel (LIB), dec. Cody Christian (SID), 10-5; 182 — Ethan Blythe (LEW) dec. Dace Fisher (SID), 4-1; 195 — Jace Billy (HAV) dec. Jaden Bryant (BEL), 4-3; 220 — Tyler Adams (HAV) dec. Travis Adams (HAV), 14-5; Hwt — Donovan Hucke (DIL) major dec. Bryce Wigert (ANA), 9-1.

Third place 98 — Travis Kinn (GLE) pinned Caleb Bagnell (FTN), :52; 106 — Wyatt VanBuren (SID) pinned Winfield West (CFS), 1:34; 113 — Logan Pleninger (HAV) dec. Mason Fetters (CFS), 6-0; 120 — Grayson Brenna (HAV), major dec. Clayton Carter (LAU), 13-0; 126 — Hunter Grover (LEW) major dec. Car-

los Quinones (POL), 10-2; 132 — Thomas Gruber (HAV) major dec. Layne Schaefer (SID), 8-0; 138 — Zach Crace (LIB) pinned Lyle Degen (BEL), :36; 145 — Cody Lemons (FTN) pinned Kody Pribyl (HAV), :36; 152 — Shawn Purcell (HAR) dec. Mason Mavrinac (ANA), 12-5; 160 — Cody Walters (CFS) pinned Justin Hinson (HAM), 5-4; 170 — Casey Fredericks (HAR) dec. Tel Motichka (POL), 3-1; 182 — Raven Cunningham (BEL) dec. Dustin Odegard (HAV), 4-0; 195 — Michael Bumgarner (HAM) pinned Monty Jessop (COR), 2:53; 220 — Rand Pritzkau (FTN) pinned Bryce Blumenshein (BEL), 1:22; Hwt — Spencer Ross (CFS) pinned Christian Gomez (SID), 2:31.

Fifth place 98 — Abi Gontarek (LAU) dec. Manny Guzman (CFS), 6-4; 106 — Thunder Morales (POL) def.

Cody Warner (FTN), forfeit; 113 — Jaron Morgan (POL) dec. Casey Christian (SID), 7-3; 120 — Zach Wall (CEN) def. Kwin Stoddard (DIL), DQ, 2:31; 126 — Dylan Stewart (HAV) dec. Josh Venema (COR), 1-0; 132 — Skyler Higareda (LIB) dec.

Haze Bell (CFS), 3-0; 138 — Tylor Olsen (COR) major dec. Bryant Dorn (HAR), 12-3; 145 — Zayne Brunz (CFS) dec. Zeus Rutherford (BRW), 3-0; 152 — Riley Jessop (COR) dec. John Preller (LAU), 6-4; 160 — Tanner Delp (HAR) def. Wyatt Jessop (COR), forfeit; 170 — Jake Williams (HAV) major dec. Doug Womack (FTN), 9-0; 182 — Connor Murdock (HAR) pinned Tele Seemann (POL), 2:25; 195 — Parker Tezak (DIL) dec. William Ollinger (BRW), 7-4; 220 — Hunter Severson (SID) pinned Isaiah Williams (POL), 2:13; Hwt — Robert Becker (HAR) dec. Cord Murray (MCY), 6-4.

Havre High Individual Results

106 – Keegan Kennelly (2nd Place)

1st rd – Bye; Quarterfinals – pinned Winfield West, CFL, 1:49; Semifinals – pinned Wyatt Van Buren, SID, 1:27; Final – lost dec. Kohltin Starkel, DIL, 8-5.

HAM, 15-2; Consolation Semi – maj. dec. Skylar Higareda, LIB, 8-0; Consolation Final – maj. dec.

Layne Schaefer, SID, 8-0.

113 – Logan Pleninger (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Brevlin Thompson, ANA, 1:03; Quarterfinals – pinned Colton Gove, CFL, 3:15; Semifinals – maj. dec. Tyler Olson, COR, 15-2; Final – pinned Jordan Stevens, SID, 3:23.

1st rd – pinned Jordan Shovar, LAU, :32; Quarterfinals – dec. Tre Smollack, ANA, 11-6; Semifinals – lost dec. Trace Jones, SID, 7-1; Consolation Semi – dec. Jaron Morgan, Pol, 5-2; Consolation Final – dec. Mason Fetters, CFL, 6-0.

120 – Grayson Brenna (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Brandon Blumhagen, MC, :32; Quarterfinals – pinned Jaben Wenzel, POL, :44; Semifinals – lost dec. Gresh Jones, SID, 8-6; Consolation Semi – dec. Zach Wall, CEN, 9-8; Consolation Final – maj. dec. Clayton Carter, LAU, 13-0.

126 – Dylan Stewart (5th Place)

1st rd – pinned Connor Ludwig, LAU, 1:05; Quarterfinals – pinned by Shonn Roberts, CFL, :57; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Anthony James, GLE, :18; Consolation 3rd rd – pinned Tyler Ishler, FTN, 2:15; Consolation Semi – lost dec. Hunter Grover, LEW, 8-1; Fifth/Sitxth – dec. Josh Venema, COR, 1-0.

126 – Dane Flammond

1st rd – lost dec. Chandler Metcalf, HAR, 7-1; 1ts rd Consolation – dec. Skylark Knutson, POL, 6-3; 2nd rd Consolation – lost dec. Colten Cox, HAM, 5-4.

132 – Thomas Gruber (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Donivan Williams, COR, 1:36; Quarterfinals – lost dec. Dillon Tennant, GLE, 2-1; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned Manny Rivera, HAM, 2:15; 3rd rd Consolation – maj. dec. Robert Few,

138 – Parker Filius (State Champion)

138 – Gunnar Aageson

1st rd – lost dec. Zach Hart, BUC, 3-0; 1st rd Consolation – pinned Brett McBurney, LAU, 1:38; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned by Bryant Dorn, HAR, 3:15.

145 – Kody Pribyl (4th Place)

1st rd – pinned Austin Olson, DIL, 1:04; Quarterfinals – tech. fall Jon Lemon, HAR, 15-0; Semifinals – lost dec. Bryan Armstrong, ANA, 7-4; Consolation Semi – dec. Zues Rutherford, BRO, 3-2; Consolation Final – pinned by Cody Lemons, FTN, :36.

152 – Jase Stokes (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Sean Cooney, BUC, 1:57; Quarterfinals – pinned John Preller, LAU, 4:41; Semifinals – pinned Mason Mavrinac, ANA, 1:07; Final – pinned Bryan Schaffer, CFL, 4:50.

160 – Jared Laux

1st rd – pinned Braden Lovelass, STV, 1:46; Quarterfinals – pinned by Cody Johnson, SID, 2:28; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned J.J. Zenahilk, ANA< 1:53; 3rd rd Consolation – lost dec. Cody Walter, CFL, 9-0

170 – Jake Williams (5th Place)

1st rd – pinned Jason Williams, CFL, 3:53; Quar-

terfinals – pinned Justin Stewart, HAR, 1:16; Semifinals – lost dec. Garrett Chapel, LIB, 2-1; Consolation Semi – lost dec. Tel Motichka, POL, 3-1; Fifth/ Sitxh – maj. dec. Doug Womak, FTN, 9-0.

182 – Dustin Odegard (4th Place)

1st rd – pinned Ike Schweikert, CFL, 1:38; Quarterfinals – lost dec. Dace Fisher, SID, 8-3; 2nd rd Consolation – pinned Kyle Howe, LAU, 1:26; 3rd rd Consolation – dec. Phil Vial, DIL, 10-4; Consolation Semi – dec. Connor Murdock, HAR, 3-1; Consolation Final – lost dec. Raven Cunningham, BEL, 4-0.

195 – Jace Billy (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Andrew Burgess, CFL, 1:42; Quarterfinals – pinned Michael Bumgarner, HAM, 3:34; Semifinals – pinned Monty Jessop, COR, :58; Final – dec. Jaden Bryant, BEL, 4-3.

195 – John Chinadle

1st rd – pinned Mike Corrigan, POL, 2:33; Quarterfinals – pinned by Monty Jessop, COR, 4:48; 2nd rd Consolation – maj. dec. Braden Watson, CEN, 1:26; 3rd rd Consolation – pinned by Michael Bumgarner, HAM, :38

220 – Tyler Adams (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Mikey Denison, CFL, :53; Quaterfinals – pinned Luke Channer, COR, 4:44; Semifinals – pinned Hunter Severson, SID, 1:05; Final – dec.

Travis Adams, HAV, 14-5.

220 – Travis Adams (2nd Place)

1st rd – pinned Kordale Behner, STV, 1:40; Quaterfinals – pinned Zach Brown, HAM, 3:09; Semifinals – pinned Rand Prtizkau, FTN, :43; Final – lost dec.

Tyler Adams, HAV, 14-5.

4

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

State Wrestling 2014

Brothers, freshmen, four titles, what a night State champion Ponies showcased a little bit of everything on finals night Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com BILLINGS — And then there were four. Four Havre High wrestlers who outlasted all that Class A could throw at them at the state tournament in Billings.

Overall, there were six Blue Pony wrestlers who battled it out for individual state titles at the Rimrock Auto Arena as the Ponies captured their second straight team title Saturday night.

Sophomore Keegan Kennelly (106), freshman Parker Filius (138), freshman Jase Stokes (152), junior Jace Billy (195), senior Tyler Adams (220) and sophomore Travis Adams (220) all competed in the championship round.

In a unique situation, Travis Adams took on older brother Tyler Adams in the finals as the Ponies won four of their six matches on final's night.

Individual title winners included Filius, Stokes, Billy and Tyler Adams.

“They are all great kids, and those were great wins by a couple of freshmen, a junior and a senior,” Havre head coach Scott Filius said.

“But all of the kids wrestled well, we even had some kids win it all last year, return and wrestle better this year, and not win it. I was pleased with our kids.”

The championship round started at 220 pounds, meaning the brother versus brother showdown took center stage.

Tyler Adams wasn’t going to take a defeat from his younger sibling, and controlled the match early on, taking a 10-3 lead after the first two periods with three takedowns, an escape, and a near fall. From there it was just making sure he didn’t get caught off guard before eventually earning the 14-5 decision and finishing the weekend 4-0.

Tyler put together a stretch of three pins to get into the championship match. He first pinned Mikey Denision of Columbia Falls in :53 Friday morning, followed by a pin over Luke Channer of Corvallis in the quarterfinals, and a pin over Hunter Severson of Sidney in the semifinals. Travis finished 3-1, But the loss didn’t matter much to ei-

29

2014 CLASS A

February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Kings of the Corral

Ponies begin the season by beating GFH for the Havre Invite title Havre High crowns five champions, gets 10 grapplers to the finals, places 20 on home mats Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre freshman Jase Stokes, top, drives Columbia Falls' Bryan Schaffer to the mat during the 152-pound Class A state championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena. Stokes was one of two Pony freshmen to win Saturday night, and was part of four individual titles for Havre. ther brother as Tyler stressed just how much fun that moment was for both.

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High senior Tyler Adams, left, stands up to a shot from younger brother Travis during their 220pound Class A state championsip match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

“This is a good feeling all around,” Tyler Adams said. “I like the fact that it was against my brother because it was a good way to go out. But he is a good wrestler.

And we kind of talked about this match before, and I thought I would probably win. But it was about going out there and having fun, too.

It is nice to win, but it is still about having fun.”

Billy also had a standout match, and made sure he was ready for the challenge when it came time. Unlike the Adams brothers, Billy was the final weight class of the night, and without doing the math, there was no guarantee the Ponies had clinched a team title just yet. But after seeing the HHS freshmen get their wins, Billy thought it might be in the bag.

But just to make sure, Billy knew he needed to get a win against his opponent, Belgrade’s Jaden Bryant.

Billy got two points on a takedown in the first period, and took a 3-0 lead on an escape to start the third.

Bryant answered with a takedown of his own; before an escape gave Billy a 4-2 lead to close the second.

And the match came down to the final 12 seconds. Billy gave up a point for stalling, and quickly realized he couldn’t give up an escape or takedown if he wanted the win in regulation. The grapplers were on their feet in the final seconds and Billy hung on for dear life, both arms wrapped around Bryant’s

waist.

It was a great finish after a thirdplace finish last year.

“This is 100 times different, knowing that I am the best in the Class A and nobody can beat me,” Billy said. “But I knew I had to ride him out for those 12 seconds. I think if that match was one second longer he might have gotten out, but it took everything I had in me to hold on.

“But we did awesome as a team,” Billy added. “And in the finals we really stepped up. I thought the team finish might come down to me, so I really put a lot of pressure on myself. But when I saw our freshmen getting pins, I knew I could take some of that pressure off myself. But I actually felt more relaxed coming into this match than any other. I had a little pressure at first, but I felt great going in.”

Billy made light work of his opponents all weekend long before the tough title match. He pinned Andrew Burgess of Columbia Falls in 1:42, Michael Bumgarner of Hamilton in 3:34, and Monty Jessop of Corvallis in just 58 seconds in the semifinals.

And Filius and Stokes may be freshmen, but they didn’t wrestle like it as they took down a lot of great talent to combine for an 8-0 weekend.

Filius capped off his state run

■

See Finals Page 5

If the way a prep wrestling team starts a new season is any indication of how the season will end up, then the Class A Havre Blue Ponies should be very excited.

The Ponies, along with 14 other teams, made their season debut in Havre over the weekend, and as the host team, the Ponies stole the show at the Havre High Gymnasium when the annual Havre Invitational concluded Saturday evening.

The two-day tournament began Friday afternoon and wasn’t over until more than 300 matches were in the books.

Havre finished in first place with 282.5 points. That bettered last season’s performance when the Ponies took second place. The Class AA Great Falls High Bison, the defending state champions at that level, finished in a close second place with 272.5 points, and the Class AA CMR Rustlers finished in third place with 181.

“We got a bunch of good quality matches, and all of the kids competed hard, so I was very pleased,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. “I really liked the fact that our kids competed when they were ahead and when they were behind.

Once you get kids to do that, then you can work on your reshot, and your hand control, and all of that stuff. And we will work on that, but I am pleased with the effort.”

The rest of the field was competitive over the two days, but struggled to keep pace with the three powerhouse programs. Cut Bank finished in third place (87), while Browning finished in fifth (80), Butte finished in sixth (70), Libby finished in seventh (55), Glasgow finished in eighth (45), Chinook finished in ninth (33), Lewistown finished in 10th (31), Fort Benton finished in 11th (29.5), both Big Sandy and Chester/J-I finished in 12th (3) and Malta finished last.

The Blue Pony coaching staff was excited to get out of the practice room and into competition, and for the first time out, there isn’t

much to complain about.

On the road to posting more than 282 team points, the Ponies put 10 kids into the finals. They grabbed five individual championships, five second-place finishes, three thirdplace finishes, two fourth-place finishes, and five fifth-place finishes.

Keegan Kennelly (106), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Jace Billy (195) and Tyler Adams (220) all won their finals matches, while Tate Munyan (98), Logan Pleninger (113), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), and Jake Williams (170) all came close, but landed just short in their finals matches.

Kennelly was able to pin Butte Central’s Bryce Noctor in 2:55, while Brenna pinned Great Fall High’s Tyler Meyer in just one minute of action. Stewart pinned Kenton Evans of Great Falls High in 5:00, while Billy earned a 7-1 decision win over CMR’s Payton Sexe, and Tyler Adams earned a 4-0 decision over Great Falls High’s Eric Weaver. The five title winners were all undefeated on the weekend. The Ponies went head-to-head with Bison six times in the finals, splitting at 3-3.

But the Ponies were able to stay out in front in the team totals with five more individuals in the finals — 20 total compared to the Bison’s 15.

“I would say it was (a good team start),” Tyler Adams said. “I think that is what any team would like to see. Personally, for me, I just wanted to come out and see what I needed to work on, but for the other guys, too, I would say that is the same. The first weekend out we just needed to see where we could improve. I think I need to work on my pace; I wrestled too slow in some matches, and need to come out with more intensity. It is early in the season, but we got off to a good start.”

In the championship round, Munyon lost an 18-0 major decision to CMR’s Deven Altenberg, while Pleninger lost a 10-4 decision to Butte Central’s Clay Stillwagon.

Gruber lost to Great Fall High’s Tommy Mcmillen in a 6-3 decision, while Filius lost a 3-1 decision to GFH’s Austin Shupe, and Williams lost a 7-0 decision to GFH’s Cody Henderson.

Both Gruber and Filius nearly added two more individual titles to the total, but ran into two of the state’s best. Gruber lost to Mcmillen after giving up a last-second re-

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Grayson Brenna, right, battles Great Falls High's Tyler Meyer in the 126-pound Havre Invitational championship Saturday at the HHS gymnasium. Brenna won the match, and the Ponies won the team title. versal during Friday’s round robin match, and couldn’t quite get past him Saturday. And in his first-ever high school match, Filius ran into Class AA state champion Shupe, Friday, losing in overtime after giving up a takedown. Filius also competed hard in the chipper, but Shupe escaped the HHS freshman with another narrow decision.

“That is great for us,” Coach Filius said. “Anytime you run into a kid that is going to compete all six minutes then that is what we are after.”

In third-place matches Kody Pribyl (145) won on a pin in 34 seconds, Dustin Odegard (170) won on a 6-2 decision, and Travis Adams (HWT) won on a pin in 1:44.

Jase Stokes (152) lost after being pinned in 2:03, while Skylar Powell (220) lost in an 8-3 decision. But in fifth-place matches the Ponies

went undefeated. Dane Flammond (126) won with a pin in 2:16, Gunnar Aageson (145) won an 8-5 decision, Jared Laux earned a pin in 2:35, and John Chinadle (195) earned a pin in 1:22.

“It felt good to get this good team start,” Kennelly said. “I got rid of some of my butterflies. I did wrestle some over the summer, so I came in feeling alright, but it is good to really start up again. I think we all just came out fired up and ready to go. That is pretty much all you can do in the first weekend, just come out and try your best.”

All of the veteran Blue Ponies did what they were expected to do, but the new and up and comers also stepped up. Freshmen Munyan, Flammond, Parker Filius, Stokes, Powell and Laux all had very good HHS debuts. And sophomores like Kennelly, Pleninger, Pribyl and

Travis Adams all had outstanding showings in their encore appearances.

“We have been taking that class of freshmen and sophomores around for a long time and they are deep," Coach Filius said. “We knew we had talent there, so that isn’t new to us. But our older kids did what we expected and I was pleasantly surprised with some of our young guys, but I expect all of our guys to compete.”

After the two-day, season-opening tournament at the HHS gymnasium, the Ponies will get right back at it this weekend. Thursday in Butte, the Ponies will compete at the Butte Central Mixer. Friday and Saturday, the Ponies will remain in Butte for the always-tough Mining City Duals.

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February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

Havre Invite: Time to hit the mat Havre High grapplers make their season debut at home, against great competition Daniel Horton

Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Every year, the Havre High wrestling team kicks off a new season with the Havre Invitational at the Havre High gymnasium. This year is no exception, and the Blue Ponies will do so while facing what could be one of the toughest opening weekends in the state.

Today through Saturday, the Ponies will welcome in about 15 teams.

Round-robin action was set to begin today at 1 p.m. and the day will end with the first round of the tournament portion of the weekend. Tournament action will continue Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Teams expected to attend this weekend include CMR, Lewistown, Cut Bank, Glasgow, Browning, Libby, Butte Central, Fort Benton, Chester/J-I, Chinook, Big Sandy, Malta and last year’s AA champion, Great Falls High.

The Ponies finished in second place last year in Havre, but claimed three individual championships and four second-place finishes. Grayson Brenna, Dylan Stewart and Tyler Adams all took first place, while Keegan Kennelly, Thomas Gruber, Jordan Schroeder and Jace Billy all finished in second. Other key wrestlers this weekend will include Kody Pribyl, Logan Pleninger, Travis Adams, Gunnar Aageson, Jason Kohler, Jake Williams and Dustin Odegard.

Jase Stokes, Parker Filius and Dane Flammond will make their debut as standout Blue Pony freshmen.

“We have some great teams coming in and some great individuals,” Havre High head coach Scott Filius said, “so we will really find out how tough we are right away. We try not to use practice time for the wrestle offs if we don’t have to. We will take care of that this weekend at the

weights that are contested, but we are pretty spread out and not really deep. We have about 25 kids, and we are spread pretty well top to bottom and are doubled up at only a couple weights.”

Coach Filius will have a solid lineup to build off of after this weekend, including finding the right weights for all of his guys.

But last year’s No. 2 finish at the beginning of the season turned into another Class A state title at the end of the season for the Ponies. And while state is the ultimate goal yet again, this weekend the focus is on going out and seeing competition.

There are no glaring areas that need work just yet, that will come later, and Filius should get a nice preview of his guys, as they should see nearly seven matches each this weekend.

“More than anything, we are looking for effort,” Filius said. “We don’t even know what we need to fix until we see them compete. And if we compete well, we can find areas of technique to work on. But until we get the kids competing, there isn’t a whole lot that we can secondguess. And we have some kids that will do just fine. We will do well at our tournament and most of our kids will get close to seven matches.

By the end of the weekend we will have a good feel of what each kid needs.”

The Ponies are an early favorite in the Central A and Class A ranks

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February 2014

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

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Never A Doubt

Blue Ponies repeat as Class A wrestling champions Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Keegan Kennelly lifts an opponent during the 2013 Class A state tournament last February in Billings. The Blue Ponies begin defense of their Class A state championship with the annual Havre Invite. again this, year, but the Ponies will put their talents on display for the first time this weekend. The annual

Havre Invite begins this afternoon and runs through Saturday evening at the HHS gymnasium.

BILLINGS — Repeating as a champion isn’t easy, but the Havre wrestling team sure makes it look like it is.

For the second straight season, the Blue Ponies captured the Class A state championship, and they did it in record fashion.

The Central A Blue Ponies were crowned the Class A state champions Saturday night in Billings. The Ponies turned in another great season all around under veteran head coach Scott Filius, but all that hard work was put on the line at the Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park in Billings.

Havre claimed the most recent state title with an impressive 294.5 points, making this one of the best state runs in recent history for the Ponies, who have now won nine titles under coach Filius. The team score ties a previous best by the Ponies when they won the title back in 2009. And anything less could have resulted in a second-place finish for the Ponies, as Sidney put together a great run in its own right, finishing with 268.5 team points. Columbia Falls was a distant third with 172 points.

The Ponies also won their second straight title with 17 grapplers, just like they took on the state last year with 17, as well.

And all 17 of Havre’s wrestlers scored points for the second straight year, while the Ponies placed 13 grapplers and had four individual state champions. Havre also led the tournament wire-towire.

“This definitely feels a lot better than when you’re not the winner,” coach Filius said after earning another team title. “The kids wrestled well, though. We took control of what we can control and we won the matches that we could win. What Sidney did was up to them, we couldn’t control what they did unless we went head to head, then

we had to perform, and I think we did.”

Through Friday’s matches the Ponies got out to a nice lead, but it was never comfortable.

HHS finished Friday with 143.5 points while Sidney kept hanging around with 122. And Saturday, Sidney got even closer. Heading into the consolation semifinals Sidney cut the Ponies’ lead to just over 11 points, 235.5 to 224.4. And a title wasn’t even a sure thing heading into the championship round, with the Ponies having six wrestlers searching for a title, compared to Sidney having eight individuals wrestling for titles. Keegan Kennelly (106), Parker Filius (138), Jase Stokes (152), Jace Billy (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (220) all earned their spots in the chipper for the Ponies, and a key matchup included Parker Filius taking on Jordan Stevens of Sidney. Filius pinned Stevens in 3:23 and helped seal the deal for the Ponies.

Kennelly suffered an 8-5 decision loss, while Stokes won with a pin in 4:50, and Billy earned a 4-3 decision win.

Tyler Adams also defeated younger brother Travis 14-5 giving Havre four individual champions, and all four were first-time champions.

Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120) and Thomas Gruber (132) finished in third place. Kody Pribyl (145) and Dustin Odegard (182) finished in fourth place, while Jake Williams (170) and Dylan Stewart (126) finished in fifth place for Havre. Dane Flammond (126), Gunnar Aageson (138), Jared Laux (160) and John Chinadle (195) also wrestled well for the Ponies, recording at least one win each, but did not place.

Gruber had a spectacular and heroic run for the Ponies. After losing to Glendive’s Dillon Tennant 2-1 in the quarterfinals Friday, Gruber won four straight matches, all by bonus points, and wound up third.

It was the senior’s best fin-

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High brothers Tyler, left, and Travis Adams stand side by side after their 220-pound Class A championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. Facing each other in the championship match was just part of how dominant the Blue Ponies were on their way to a second consecutive Class A championship. ish at the state tournament, but he p l a c e d a l l f o u r y e a r s a n d was in arguably the toughest bracket every season.

Brenna was heroic as well.

After winning a state title as a sophomore, he was poised to repeat again this weekend.

However, a gut-wrenching loss to Sidney’s Gresh Jones, now a three-time state champion, in the semifinals left Brenna out of the finals for the first time in his career.

Still, he stormed back to finish third, a boost that helped keep the Ponies out in front of the Eagles. Pleninger did the same, falling to Sidney's Trace Jones in the semis, but rebounding to win twice and finish third.

In all, Havre sent 10 wrestlers into the semifinals Saturday morning. Stewart was beaten by Columbia Falls’ two-time state champ Shonn Roberts, but rallied

to reach the podium for the third straight year. In his final season, Williams looked great in reaching the semis, but suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Libby’s Garrett Chapel, who went on to win the 170-pound title. Williams battled back to a solid fifthplace finish though.

Pribyl also placed for the second straight season. He lost to one of the best overall wrestlers in the field in Anaconda’s Bryan Armstrong in the semis, but won his consolation semifinal on his way to a fourth-place finish.

Odegard won three straight matches after losing in the quarterfinals.

Havre was dominant from the opening bell as the Ponies won 14 first-round matches, all by pin, and had 15 of 17 wrestlers in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinals. Kennelly didn’t have to wrestle in the first round, receiving a

bye at 106.

“I think we wrestled well, and I think we were able to pull away in the title matches,” Parker Filius said. “One of the major things we were able to do was to get bonus points when we could, we talk about that at all of the team meetings before big tournament.”

Havre won a total of 34 matches by fall, an impressive mark. Stokes also earned the Class A Quick Pin award with his four pins totaling just over 13 minutes of wrestling time. The Ponies also won seven matches with a major decision, and one match by technical fall.

“We talk about pins all the time,” coach Filius said. “We talk about it all year long.

The whole object of wrestling is to pin your opponent and, too often, guys want to hang on, and anytime you hang on something bad can happen.

We went lights out, and the kids did a nice job.

“I know all of those pins helped us win,” Tyler Adams said. “But sometimes it’s just about who works harder, and coach Filius has done a great job making sure we all work hard.”

Bonus points and great wrestling by all 17 wrestlers set the Ponies apart from the rest of the field. HHS entered the weekend with the No. 1 ranking and made sure not to let up or let it go. The result was another run of titles.

Havre won four straight from 2007-2010. The Ponies also brought home a trophy from state for the 14th straight season, a remarkable streak in itself. And given what the Ponies showed this weekend in Billings, they are on their way to accomplishing that feat and another long win streak.

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STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

February 2014

www.havredailynews.com

State wrestling champions Blue Ponies take Billings by storm, 4 individual champs Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer

The Havre High wrestling team sure does know how to put a stamp on an All-Class State wrestling tournament. But one thing the Blue Ponies, under head coach Scott Filius, don’t seem to know, is how to slow down.

Havre racked up 294.5 points in winning its second straight Class A state title Saturday night in Billings and, in the process, tied its own record for most points scored in a Class A state tournament. Those numbers are staggering consider-

STATE WRESTLING CHAMPS

www.havredailynews.com

Ponies out to defend Class A state title Havre High wrestling team looks to have all the pieces needed to defend its Class A state title Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com It is not every year that a high school wrestling program can win a state championship, then turn around a year later and return most of its grapplers. That however, is the fortunate situation the Havre Blue Ponies find themselves in as they gear up for what will most likely be another dominating season.

The story of the Blue Pony dynasty continues to be written. And as this season is just getting underway, the Ponies are looking to capture their second consecutive Class A state title. A year ago, the Ponies captured both the Central A and Class A state wrestling titles.

They also had 11 individuals place at state, including two individual

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Jace Billy, right, captured the 195-pound Class A championship match Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. form, and I think we did.”

Remarkably, two Blue Pony freshmen also won state championships Saturday night. Parker Filius captured the 138-pound state title, while fellow freshman Jase Stokes was a champion at 152.

Both wrestlers have now completed the

first step in trying to become four-time state champions — which is the rarest of feats in high school wrestling. Blue Pony sophomore Keegan Kennelly lost his bid to be a state champion in the 106-pound final, but overall, Saturday night was yet another wonderful night for the Blue Pony program.

"All of the kids wrestled well, we even had some kids win it all last year, return and wrestle better this year and not win it," coach Filius said. "I was pleased with our kids.”

For more state wrestling photos see page 8.

No debating Havre’s place in history George Ferguson Sports Editor

February 2014

Daniel Horton

BILLINGS — Make it two in a row for the Havre High wrestling team. And that’s now nine for Blue Pony head coach Scott Filius.

Saturday night, the Blue Ponies walked out of the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings as Class A state champions for the second straight season and for the ninth time since 1999. Havre got a huge fight from its biggest rival as Sidney sent eight wrestlers into the finals, but they couldn’t catch the Po nies, who scored 29 4 . 5 p o i n t s a n d crowned four individual state champions while placing 13 of the 17 wrestlers they took to the tournament. The Eagles finished second with 268.5 points.

In winning yet another state championship, Havre accomplished even more greatness this weekend. The Ponies tied their own Class A record for most team points, which they set in 2009. Havre had six grapplers in the finals, including brothers Tyler and Travis Adams facing off at 220 pounds.

Tyler, a senior, came out on top. And Jace Billy claimed his first state championship by winning at 195 pounds.

“The kids wrestled well; we took control of what we can control and we won the matches that we could win,” coach Filius said. “What Sidney did was up to them. We couldn’t control what they did unless we went head to head, then we had to per-

From the Fringe...

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ing how good arch rival Sidney was this weekend, too.

The Eagles did their best to chase down the Blue Ponies, but as Havre’s Parker Filius beat Sidney’s Jordan Stevens in the 138-pound state championship match Saturday night, the chase was all but over.

Havre was just too good, even for a wrestling powerhouse like Sidney.

And, with four more individual state titles, 13-of-17 wrestlers reaching the podium and a ninth state championship since 1997, the Blue Ponies put a stamp on something else Saturday night, the debate about which program is the best in what I like to call the modern era.

For me, there is no doubt it’s Havre, and I say that with all due respect to Sidney, because, make no mistake, Sidney is a true wrestling powerhouse with a great and

legendary head coach, and like the Blue Ponies, the Eagles just continue to be a strong program, yearafter-year.

But the numbers don’t lie. Since Scott Filius took over the Blue Pony program, he has guided HHS to nine state championships. In that same time frame, the Eagles have won five. Now, five state titles is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, for almost any wrestling program in the state, that’s a dynasty in itself.

But here’s what makes Havre a cut above the rest. Since 2003, the Blue Ponies have finished in the top three at the state tournament every season and have had at least one individual state champion since 2004.

During what has become an incredible 11-year run in which the Ponies have won five state titles, no other team has earned a trophy each sea-

son during that same stretch. Not even Sidney. Sidney did win three straight state titles during that time, but Havre garnered a trophy in each of those years, too, and the Ponies did the same when Laurel won in 2011 and Corvallis won in 2012.

Even when Havre was supposedly down, the Ponies were still very good.

In other words, the consistency with which Havre has performed over the last decade-plus is unmatched, on any level. Even considering the great Flathead High teams, Conrad and Glasgow at the Class B-C level, Billings Skyview, it’s just hard to find a program in Montana that has been as consistently good as Havre has.

Sports dynasties don’t last. At some point, they fade away. It’s

happened to even the greatest wrestling programs in Montana, a sport rich with wrestling tradition.

But for nearly two decades now, Havre hasn’t faded, and under Filius, the Blue Ponies have stayed in the light. Hundreds upon hundreds of kids have come through the Havre program helping make it what it is.

There have been state champions and heroes, surprises and great stories. And there was plenty more from HHS this past weekend in Billings.

When the lights went out at the Rimrock Auto Arena, and another wrestling season came to end Saturday night, something else ended too … any debate about where Havre’s legacy now stands in the annals of Class A wrestling.

For now, the debate is over. Havre High stands alone.

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Havre High's Tyler Adams, left, is one of nine returning placers from last year's Class A state championship team. The Blue Pony roster is loaded with talent, and Havre will be a heavy favorite to repeat come February in Billings. champions. The Ponies lost just two seniors from a year ago, a rarity at any level, meaning the expectations for this season are very high for veteran head coach Scott Filius’ talented team.

Vacant from this year’s team due to graduation is Grant Pattison and Gilbert Bara. Pattison (189) was a state champion last year and Bara (135) placed sixth.

“I would think that since most of these kids have been around the program and have found a lot of success that the expectations would be high,” Filius said. “We typically lose more than just a couple of kids, but we really have a good crew back this year. And the nice part about this crew is that they are working really hard, and I don’t care if you are talented or not, if you don’t work hard then you don’t have the success. They are all working hard and have good backgrounds, so we expect a lot out of them.”

The key returners for the HHS squad include Grayson Brenna, Tyler Adams, Keegan Kennelly, Jace Billy, Dylan Stewart, Kody Pribyl, Logan Pleninger, Thomas Gruber and Travis Adams. The entire group of returners placed in the top six at state a season ago, while Brenna was a state champion last year,

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Havre High's Grayson Brenna, left, is one of nine returning placers from last year's Class A state championship team.

and Tyler Adams and Kennelly both finished second. Billy, Stewart and Pribyl all took third place a year ago. Gunnar Aageson, Jordan Schroeder, Jason Kohler, Jake Williams and Dustin Odegard also highlight the returning wrestlers, and all wrestled at the state meet last season.

“We will be competitive,” Filius said. “We are going to have a few freshman in the lineup, but I have had all of these kids for a while, so I know they will all compete, I am confident in that. From top to bottom we have kids that will give great effort and that is going to pay dividends for us.

“We have had some new guys stepping up already,” Filius added.

“But what I really like is our freshmen class. We have some middle guys, little guys, and a couple of big guys, so we are pleased with that.”

Jase Stokes, Parker Filius and Dane Flammond should lead what is a talented freshmen class. They have a ton of mat time already in their young careers and have shown they should be able to perform at the varsity level right away.

But freshmen or seasoned veterans, the HHS schedule proves to be a test for any level of wrestler.

The Ponies open up this weekend with the annual Havre Invitational at the Havre High gymnasims, with over 15 teams, including Class AA state champion Great Falls High expected to be in attendance.

The tough schedule only begins

with the Havre Invite.

The Ponies will also hit several major duals and tournaments before divisionals and state. Major dates will include the Mining City Duals Dec. 13-14, the CMR Holiday Classic Dec. 20-21, the Bozeman Invitational Jan. 3-4, the Cut Bank Invitational Jan. 10-11, and the Missoula Invitational Jan. 17-18. The Ponies will also host Lewistown and Great Falls High Dec. 17 for their only other home matches, as well as take on the Class A duals, traveling to CMR, Conrad and Malta on the road. Divisionals will be in Browning Feb. 8 and state will be in Billings Feb. 14-15.

And the tougher the competition the better for this Pony team that knows they will only get better as the season progresses.

“The bottom line is that the competition brings the cream to the top,” coach Filius said, “so the faster we get into some competition, the quicker we can improve. And the nice part is, in our first weekend out we will see the Class AA state champs, as well as some other good teams like Libby and Lewistown.

We will find out how tough we really are.”

The regular season will officially begin Friday at 1 p.m. with the start of the Havre Invite. Action will resume Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

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#152

PARKER FILIUS

#195

JASE STOKES

#220

JACE BILLY

TYLER ADAMS

STATE CHAMPIONS #138