By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
It wasn't total domination, but it was close. The Havre High wrestling team crushed an undermanned Lewistown Eagle squad 72-12 on Tuesday night at the HHS gymnasium.
When the Ponies weren't winning by forfeit, they were winning by pins. In fact, Havre lost only one actual match and surrendered a forfeit at 145 pound for the Eagles' only points.
"It wasn't much of a dual," said Havre High head coach. "There was so many forfeits and holes in their lineup to do much."
Indeed, Havre received forfeits wins from Ryan Shelstad (98), Lorren Mack (112), Evan Hinebauch (160), Chris Buskirk (171) and Cody Seely (189).
In the matches that there was actually wrestling, Havre had little trouble with the Eagles
Havre opened up in impressive fashion with Stephen Brown pinning Lewistown's Cody Dyson at the 1:38 mark in the first match 275 pounds.
"Stephen looked really good for his first time on the mat this season," Filius said.
The Ponies added another win at 215 as C.J. Kaven also scored a quick pin over Arliss Ferguson to put Havre up 12-0.
Havre scored three wins by forfeit to got up 30-0.
Lewistown's first points came at 152 pounds as state tournament placer Dustin Scotten pinned Adam Burrington in the 36 seconds.
Havre then forfeited the match at 145 to Lewistown's Brett Gremaux, cutting the lead to 30-12.
From there it was all Ponies, albeit not as dominant as Filius had hoped.
Logan Reichelt scored a 12-8 decision over Dustin Lemon at 140 pounds. Mike Sutherland followed with a 7-5 win over Jason French at 135.
But the close matches ended there, as Gray Chagnon (130), Justin McLeod (125), Shane Boucher (119), Bill Wagner (105) all scored wins by pin to give Havre the 72-12 win.
"You know we didn't wrestle the greatest," Filius said. "But it was a chance for some of our second string kids to wrestle some tough matches."
The dual was even less pleasing for Lewistown head coach and former Big Sandy standout Mike Mangold.
"We lost four state placers to graduation and we have been hit hard this year by injuries," Mangold said. "We have a very young team this year and we knew we were going to take some lumps."
Even with the lopsided loss, Mangold was still complimentary of the Ponies.
"From what I've seen from Havre, I think they are going to be right there at the end. I haven't seen Sidney yet this season, but I do think that from top to bottom, Havre has the stronger lineup. Sidney has a few holes in their lineup that could be the difference at the state tournament."
Havre will now have a break from competition til next week when it faces Cut Bank in dual action in Cut Bank.
But don't think it will be a complete break from wrestling, this team is on a mission.
"They're a pretty hungry group right now," Filius said. "We are still going to go hard during the break."
Havre 72, Lewistown 12
98 - Ryan Shelstad, HAV win by forfeit
105 - Billy Wagner, HAV pinned Shane Kelly 1:43
112 - Lorren Mack, HAV win by forfeit
119 - Shane Boucher, HAV pinned Brandon Hemsath 1:07
125 - Justin McLeod, HAV pinned Allen Moline 1:07
130 - Gray Chagnon, HAV pinned Lee Goodwyn :53
135 - Mike Sutherland, HAV dec. Jason French 7-5
140 - Logan Reichelt, HAV dec. Dustin Lemon 12-8
145 - Dustin Gremaux, LEW win by forfeit
152 - Dustin Scotten, LEW pinned Adam Burrington :36
160 - Evan Hinebauch, HAV win by forfeit
171 - Chris Buskirk, HAV win by forfeit
189 - Cody Seely, HAV win by forfeit
215 - C.J. Kaven, HAV pinned Arliss Ferguson :49
HWT - Stephen Brown, HAV pinned Cody Dyson 1:38
