Daniel Horton Havre Daily News gferguson@havredailynews.com
After pulling off their second straight state championship, and their fifth overall under head coach Scott Filius, the Havre High Blue Pony wrestling program has made itself extremely comfortable as one of the elite teams, not only in Class A wrestling, but in the state as well. Now HHS will start its new season, and trying to capture a third straight state championship is high on the list. But first, the Blue Ponies will make their season debut today and Saturday as they host the Havre Invitational. “We had a great year a year ago.” Filius said. “And we got most of them back, so I am expecting to take it another step higher. We competed well with everybody last year, I would like to see us take that next step and go ahead and take all of them.” And capturing first at state in every weight class might not be as far fetched as it may sound. Filius may have lost Ryan Shelstad, who wrestled in three straight state finals, but he has 10 returning wrestlers who all landed themselves a spot inside of fifth place at state a year ago. And among those returning, three of them are coming back as state champions. Last year, freshman Duel Stadel received third place at 98 pounds, junior Chris Recio was state champion at 105 pounds, sophomore Brett Normandy received fourth at 112 pounds, junior Miles Mazurkiewicz was state champion at 130 pounds, sophomore Kent Pattison received third at 135 pounds, junior Aaron Olson received third at 145 pounds, junior Ethan Hinebauch was state champion at 152 pounds, Philip Sutherland received second at 160 pounds, Curtis Shandorf received fifth at 171 pounds and Mitch Schnittgen received third as a heavyweight. And now, a year older and with another year of experience under all of their belts, the Ponies and their returning 10 wrestlers are once again favored in the Central A and at state as well. They have as good as chance as any to return to, and capture a third straight state title. “We decided a long time ago that in order to compete at the level we wanted to, we would have to compete past our conference.” Filius said. “When you’re winning it is always easier to get kids to buy into what you’re doing.” But the work and dedication it takes to reach the status of this Ponies legacy doesn't just happen by accident or overnight. To reach this level, the preparation by the coaching staff and by the kids has to start in the off-season. The HHS wrestlers have already put in a considerable amount of hard work and time. Whether the time has been spent putting in countless hours in the weight room, time on the mat or just staying active in other sports. The Ponies are getting out there, and finding ways to gear up for this years state championship run. “We have won state two years in a row.” Filius said. “I think that every year you try and push more kids into the finals, score more points and get more kids involved. It’s an individual sport for each individual, but a team sport in how you count it up.” On Friday, everybody will wrestle everybody else in their weight class. And depending on how they do then, determines how they will be seeded for Saturday’s tournament. Joining the Ponies this weekend will be some very talented teams, containing some very talented individuals. The Ponies will face off against kids from Malta, Browning, Chester-J/I, Shelby, Chinook and Lewistown. “Lewistown and Chinook both have some of the best kids of the state in their respected classes.” Filius said. “And they will be some of the better teams.” Ryan Martin of Lewistown is a two time state champion junior, and will wrestle in the 135-pound weight class. And for Chinook, state champions Willie Miller and Robert Stroh will wrestle in the 145 and 151-poiund weight classes. Not only will there be an opportunity for Filius to see some of his seasoned wrestlers go at it, but his newcomers also. The Havre Invite will be the Ponies wrestle off, and it will help determine who steps into the remaining varsity spots. “I am hoping to see the kids compete, and win the close matches. And I am hoping the young kids don’t make young mistakes. But that’s just part of the growing process.” Wrestling this weekend will be Dustin Seely, Zackary Smith and Duell Stadel (105), John Chamberlin (112), David Normandy (119), Eli Hinebauch Kristian Honadel and Dillon Seely (130) , Mazurkiewicz and Ryan Mingneau (135) , Tyson Gruber, Riley Harwood and Layne Waid (140), Kent Pattison and Kameron Pribyl (145), Cody Johnson Aaron Olson and Casey Schaub (152) , Ethan Hinebauch (160), Maxwell Lacy and Curtis Shandorf (171), Josh Salapich and Phillip Sutherland (189), Paul Jensen, Kolton Lodge and Evan Ohm (215) and Mitch Schnittgen (285) In preparation for this weekend, the Ponies have been focusing on getting techniques down, and getting into shape. And to be successful, it will take confidence not only in their technique, but also their preparation. “Our kids are doing very well.” Filius said. “We will have a good weekend.” The 2008 Havre Invitational gets under way today at the HHS gymnasium. The tournament resumes on Saturday at 9 a.m
