Every track and field coach that is asked about regular season competition has the same response; it is used in preparation for the postseason.

And with the postseason finally getting under way for the Havre High boys and girls track teams, the Blue Ponies are ready to get back on the track.

Today and Saturday the Ponies will be in Lewistown where they will face off against the rest of the Central A in the divisional meet.

It has been nearly two weeks since the Ponies' triangular with Lewistown and Malta, and the Ponies are ready to end the drought.

“We are totally ready,” Havre High head coach Roger Larson said.  “We worked our way through last week and had an enjoyable inner squad meet on Friday.  We’re not doing a whole lot we don’t need to.  We are just kind of finetuning some stuff and just trying to get the kids mentally prepared for what’s coming up.  They are in shape, we have gone to all of our track meets and there is nothing new coming up as far as running or being shape.” This season the Ponies didn’t have to suffer through a spring of cancellations and rescheduling.  And though they did have some scheduling conflicts with a handful of their athletes, they were in excellent shape when it came to making all of their scheduled track meets.

All the hard work at practice is done for the Ponies.  In preparation for the divisional meet, they have instead focused on mental preparation and technique.

They know they have to perform their best to qualify and move onto state, and that means working on details such as relay handoffs and form.

“We’re not throwing anything new at them,” Larson said.  “We’re just trying to get them mentally prepared.” The ultimate goal of this weekend is to push as many Blue Pony athletes into the state meet as possible.  Team titles are also always on the wish list, and this is the first step in achieving that goal.

Teams like Belgrade and Lewistown will push the Ponies.

Both squads have solid numbers this season, and are amongst the favorites to take tittles on both the boys and girls side.  If HHS wants to compete with either squad, Larson said his kids have to go the extra mile.

The Ponies are looking to spread out.  Not only will the Ponies need to do well in their strong events, it will also take some kids stepping up and participating in a a couple extra events, hopefully grabbing fourth- and fifth-place points.

“They have a lot of numbers out, and that’s tough to beat.” Larson said.

“It’s going to take extra effort.  It’s going to be tough, but if we run our best race then I think we are going to be able to stick with them.

“A divisional trophy is something you always hope to get,” Larson added.

“But the ultimate goal is to move as many kids to state as you possibly can (top five).  And as a result of that goal, you do place kids and you do get a team trophy.” On the girls side, the story remains the same.

Sammy Evans, Karla Hellegaard and Alexia Olson have to perform well in the jumping events if they want to stand a chance this weekend.  And Olson also has to have a good day on the track, hopefully placing in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes.  Katie Christianson also has to have a good couple of days, competing with the older Class A talent in the distance races.

“Those are sort of the main girls out there,” Larson said.  “But you never know at divisionals.  You see a lot of people surprise you, so hopefully we will see a lot of that.” On the boys side it is going to take good performances from all over.

Will DeVries has really been stepping up the last few weeks and needs to have a good weekend in the shot put and discus.  Jeff Thibodeaux has also looked solid in the javelin and could be a key to the Ponies success.  Kendall Murie also looks to be near the top of the pack in the distance races and should shine as well.

Tyson Gruber, Layne Waid and Jake Myers have all had outstanding seasons thus far, and Larson is confident they should continue to do so.  Throughout the year all three have all maintained anywhere from 12-6 to 13-0 in the pole vault and are heavy favorites to hopefully take the top three spots.

“Those guys have some of the better heights cleared in the state,” Larson said.  “All they have to do is go out and perform.” A couple of team titles would be ideal for Larson and the Ponies this weekend.  And for the boys to make it a repeat and earn the No.  1 spot would be even better.  But heading into divisionals the Ponies are just hoping to perform well and earn as many top-five spots as possible, and setting themselves up for a good state performance.

“I am 100-percent confident they are all going to perform their best,” Larson said.

Today and Saturday the Ponies will be in Lewistown where they will face off against the rest of the Central A in the divisional meet.