Blue Ponies, Eagles set to clash

Daniel Horton Havre Daily News [email protected]

The matchup between the Havre High Blue Ponies and the Lewistown Golden Eagles has grown into a great conference rivalry over the years. And on Saturday, the Blue Pony and Eagles boys and girls track and field teams will meet in Havre for the Ponies' last meet before divisionals. The dual is set to start with the field events at 12 p.m. and the running events at 12:15 p.m. “This meet is a little bit more personal.” Havre High head coach Roger Larson said. “It's just us and Lewistown. The kids may or may not say that they really want to win or lose, but deep down I guarantee that at the end of the day they will be checking team scores.” But even with this meet baring the weight of a fueling rivalry, the Ponies main concern is to make sure they are ready for divisionals. Both the boys and the girls squads are focusing on continuing to improve and making sure they have tied up any remaining loose ends. Alternates for both relay teams are at the top of the list. And running against the Eagles will give Larson a good idea who those alternates will be, and who makes the trip to Belgrade at the end of the month. “We are just focused on what we are doing.” Larson said. “It has been kind of an up and down year for meets, so we are just getting ready for our last actual meet before divisionals. We are going to get a good look at where our kids are at, and we want to finish off the season in a good way.” HHS and the Eagles will see each other at divisionals, so this weekend will be another good gauge for the Ponies. In dual meets it's easy to jump in some extra events, but Pony each athlete will be focusing on their specific events on Saturday. “This is definitely going to be the final test.” Larson said. “It's our last timed final, the wrap up of our season and we will kind of see where we are at heading into divisionals.” Weather or not anybody want to confess to how important winning really is on Saturday, the Ponies will get a run for their money. The Eagles usually house some dominant athletes, and this year they look to be strong running in the 400, 800 and 1,600-meter races. “They always have a ton of athletes.” Larson said. “And just by word of mouth, they are going to be pretty good. We are looking forward to it. That's what you want; you don't want to just run over somebody. They have been improving all year long and so have we.” The Ponies have had a lot of the same names leading the way this year. And with the way Sammy Evans, Sarah Blessum, Janelle Job, Kristina Lozano, Karla Hellegaard, Mike Hickman, Kaden Keto, Jack Teske, John Perrodin and Ethan Flathers have all been performing, the confidence level has to be high. “They have done it all year long.” Larson said. “They just get stronger, and they are ready to go. We are very confident, both boys and girls are looking good. And I don't really have ay one major area of concern this weekend.” The Blue Ponies host the conference rival Golden Eagles on Saturday, at the Havre Middle School track. The field events will start at 12 p.m. and the running events will shortly follow, starting at 12:15 p.m.