By Kim Staudinger
The Havre High Blue Pony swimmers are looking for their third straight state title this weekend in Missoula.
Both the boys and the girls teams are taking the pressure of back-to-back champions into the tournament, which begins today.
Twenty-two swimmers are making the trip in hopes of defeating Hardin, the team the Ponies feel will be their toughest competition.
"They will be our main competition for our boys and girls," head coach Chris O'Donnell said of Hardin. "They have extremely tough boys' and girls' teams."
The Havre girls team has beat Hardin at every meet this year, while the Hardin boys team has defeated Havre at every meet.
Knowing this, O'Donnell said she hopes her team simply goes out and swims the best it can.
"I just want the best for the kids," she said. "Whatever happens, happens. We can't control what other teams do or what happens. All we can control is what Havre High does. I want them to know they are a winner whether they take first or 18th."
O'Donnell expects the main competition to be with the relay teams, saying "it's going to be our relays against their relays."
Swimming on the 200 medley relay for Havre is Ryan Gilbreath, Mario Pizzini, Andrew McLain and Joey Howland. Swimming on the 200 and 400 freestyle relays are Chris Chandler, Gilbreath, Howland and Scott Robinson.
The girls' 200 medley relay consists of Danielle Barton, Gwen Porter, Elizabeth Stuker and Maureen Porter. The 200 freestyle relay members are Gwen Porter, Stuker, Kasie Teske and Maureen Porter. The 400 freestyle relay is Bethanie Keim, Katie Hartman, Teske and either Alicia Rundquist or Brittnee Zimmer.
Aside from Hardin and Havre, O'Donnell said the next top teams are Dillon and Billings Central.
But a key to defeating Hardin and taking the third straight title comes with getting individuals to place. O'Donnell said the relay teams are important, but if both girls and boys place individually, a lot of pressure will be put on Hardin's individual performers.
Individuals O'Donnell expects to place are Gwen Porter in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke, Maureen Porter in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, and Stuker in the 100 breaststroke and 100 fly. For the boys, Robinson in the 50 free and 100 fly, Pizzini in the 100 breaststroke and Howland and Gilbreath in the 50 free.
Placing is a tough task for Class A swimmers as all races are ran against Class AA schools. O'Donnell was unsure of when the last individual state champion swimmer for Havre was. But, on a positive note, the Ponies have had success against AA schools this season.
"The kids have worked so hard," O'Donnell said. "First of all, I just want the kids to go out and swim their hardest and best races. That's all we can hope for. I can't ask for anything more."
The following are the swimmers and the events they will be competing in at the State Swim Meet in Missoula:
Boys:
Junior - Chris Chandler - 50 free (26.73), 100 free (1.00.50), 200 free relay (1.39.78), 400 free relay (3.49.98).
Junior - Brian Childree - 200 free (2.32.37), 100 free (1.02.58).
Junior - Ryan Gilbreath - 200 medley relay (2.01.78), 50 free (25.41) 200 free relay (1.39.78), 400 free relay (3.49.98).
Junior - Joey Howland - 200 medley relay (2.01.78), 50 free (24.7) 200 free relay (1.39.78), 400 free relay (3.49.98).
Senior - Andrew McLain - 200 medley relay (2.01.78), 200 free (2.24.40), 100 free (1.03.02).
Junior - Mario Pizzini - 200 medley relay (2.01.78), 200 IM (2.50.74), 100 breaststroke (1.16.81).
Freshman - Scott Robinson - 50 free (24.08), 100 fly (1.00.80) 200 free relay (1.39.78), 400 free relay (3.49.98).
Junior - Philip Schatzka - 500 free (7.30.90), 100 backstroke (1.21.31).
Senior - Sam Soyer - 100 free (1.08.62), 100 breaststroke (1.20.62).
Junior - Tyler Thompson - 100 breaststroke (1.23.44).
Girls:
Sophomore - Danielle Barton - 200 medley relay (2.05.63), 200 free (2.38.15), 100 backstroke (1.16.28).
Sophomore - Katie Hartman - 200 IM (2.45.28), 100 fly (1.14.95), 400 free relay (4.27.63).
Junior - Bethanie Keim - 100 free (1.07.30), 100 backstroke (1.17.72), 400 free relay (4.27.63).
Freshman - Emily Kostelecky - 50 free (31.72), 100 backstroke (1.28.27).
Senior - Brittany O'Connell - 200 free (3.00.24), 500 free (7.50.45).
Sophomore - Gwen Porter - 200 medley relay (2.05.63), 200 IM (2.35.26), 200 free relay (1.53.63), 100 backstroke (1.10.78).
Senior - Maureen Porter - 200 medley relay (2.05.63), 50 free (26.52), 100 free (59.75), 200 free relay (1.53.63).
Junior - Alicia Rundquist - 50 free (30.71), 100 breaststroke (1.28.98), 400 free relay (4.27.63).
Senior - Elizabeth Stuker - 200 medley relay (2.05.63), 100 fly (1.08.30), 200 free relay (1.53.63), 100 breaststroke (1.15.41).
Sophomore - Kasie Teske - 50 free (28.75), 100 free (1.04.73), 200 free relay (1.53.63), 400 free relay (4.27.63).
Junior - Katie Toldness - 200 free (2.48.63), 100 free (1.14.09),
Sophomore - Brittne Zimmer - 200 free (2.35.05), 500 free (7.00.84), 400 free relay (4.27.63).
