By State champion duo earns awards
Tyler Croft and Maureen Porter earned Most Valuable Swimmer awards at a banquet held on Monday.
Croft, a senior, was an All-State selection for the Blue Ponies.
He finished seventh in the 100 fly and ninth in the 100 breaststroke at the State Class A swim meet held during the first weekend in February.
Porter, a sophomore, was the only female All-State selection for Havre. She was also one of two girls to place individually at the state meet. Porter finished fifth in the 50 free and 10th in the 100 free.
Both the boys' and the girls' teams brought home state titles.
The boys captured their third title in four years something Croft had been a part of and the girls captured their first title in 26 years. It was the first time in more than 20 years that both the boys and the girls brought home state titles in the same event.
"We had a great season," head coach Chris O'Donnell said. "I'm very proud of these kids. These kids are real champions. They excel in the pool as well as the classroom and whatever other activities they are involved in. They are truly a great group to have been a part of."
Seniors Nick Porter and Cara Holmquist were honored with the Leadership Award. Porter was also an All-State selection.
Seniors Tom Billingsley and Jen Vaughn and freshman Alicia Rundquist earned the Most Improved Award.
Junior Ryan Bennett and sophomore Elizabeth Stuker, a student at Chinook High School, earned the Hardest Worker Award.
Bennett, an All-State selection, placed sixth in the 100 back stroke at the state meet, while Stuker finished 11th in the 100 fly and 12th in the 100 breaststroke.
Brian Ehlert, a senior, JJ Albertson, a sophomore, and Maria Gilleece, a senior, were honored with the Best Effort Award.
Havre High had 34 participants in the swimming program this season. Twenty-five athletes earned letters and 16 were Academic All-State selections. These students earned a 3.5 grade-point average or higher.
Letterwinners Girls Jennifer Forsyth, Christy Franson, Maria Gilleece, Jamie Habeger, Cara Holmquist, Bethanie Keim, Chrystal Kerr (manager), Erin Lynch, Kathy McShane, Maureen Porter, Alicia Rundquist, Elizabeth Stuker, Carly Toldness. Boys JJ Albertson, Ryan Bennett, Tom Billingsley, Tyler Croft, Clif Cunningham, Brian Ehlert, Donovan Ewing, James Howland, Joey Howland, Mario Pizzini, Nick Porter.
Academic All-State Jennifer Forsyth, Maria Gilleece, Cara Holmquist, Bethanie Keim, Chrystal Kerr, Maureen Porter, Alicia Rundquist, Elizabeth Stuker, Ryan Bennett, Tom Billingsley, Tyler Croft, Brian Ehlert, James Howland, Joey Howland, Mario Pizzini, Nick Porter.
All-State Selections Maureen Porter, Ryan Bennett, Tyler Croft, Donovan Ewing, Nick Porter.
