Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Tyler Schaub, Havre Wrestling

When Havre High wrestler Tyler Schaub won an individual state title at 205 pounds in 2016, it seemed like the sophomore was poised to see the top of the podium, at least a couple more times.

After all, it was hard to see who or what would stop Schaub from becoming a three-time state champion and a four-time medalist. On the football field, he also had the look of a two-way All-State performer.

However, about halfway through his junior season of football, one that would eventually see him earn All-Conference honors, Schaub ran into the one opponent no athlete can consistently beat - injury.

Schaub suffered a torn ACL, an injury that can be catastrophic for an athlete. It cost him the rest of that season in football and almost the entire wrestling season, too. He tried to come back and actually qualified for the state tournament last February, but in his semifinal match at the Eastern A Divisional, he aggravated his knee, which effectively ended his season.

"I was wrestling in the semifinals at divisionals and it buckled or whatever again," Schaub said. "It swelled up and I don't think that I could have wrestled. It sucked because I felt like I could have completed well and placed high."

Certainly, Schaub would have scored points. He finished fourth as a freshman at the state meet and posted a 43-8 record as a sophomore, rolling to four pretty easy wins en route to a state championship. Had he been healthy, he would have been a favorite to win again at 205 pounds, last winter but unfortunately, things don't always go as planned.

Yet, after sitting out his senior season of football to prepare for wrestling, Schaub said that he is close to 100 percent. Gone is the knee brace he wore last season and when the Havre Invitational kicks off Friday inside the HHS gymnasium, Schaub will be back on the mat.

Schaub's return is significant for him personally, but it also brings back an important piece to the Blue Pony lineup. HHS graduated three state champions from last year's team, but the return of Schaub, along with Quinn Reno and Martin Wilkie, who each won individual titles last season, gives Havre three champions coming back as the Ponies try to win a sixth consecutive team championship.

That journey starts this weekend for the Ponies. But while the Havre Invite signals the start of the season, for Schaub it signals the completion of his comeback. The senior will be back on the mat Friday, but before he gets his 2017-18 season underway, the Havre Daily News caught up with him for five questions.

HDN: Would say that you are 100 percent healthy?

Schaub: "I'd say about 97 percent. I think I will be at 100 (percent) here after a few weeks. But I have confidence in it. When I first started wrestling again, I was scared that something would happen to it again, so it took me awhile to get used to it. But now it feels strong and I don't worry about it at all anymore, just like back to normal."

HDN: You didn't really get to wrestle last year, so what does it mean to have that chance again?

Schaub: "It means a lot. It has been a while and I really want to get out there and wrestle."

HDN: Are you excited that your first match of the season will be at home?

Schaub: "Yeah, it's always nice to wrestle at home in front of the home crowd."

HDN: What would it mean if you get back to being a state champion this season?

Schaub: "It would be great. After not being able to wrestle last year, it would be great to get it this year."

HDN: Did missing so much time last year, make you miss it?

Schaub: "Yeah. I did. I am glad I am able to compete at 100 percent again. I really wanted to be out there last year and couldn't, so it feels good to be able to wrestle again."