Ponies will be dangerous on the mats in Missoula

The Havre High wrestling program is more than halfway through its season, and while the Blue Ponies have been consistently dominant they prepare to face one more major test before state. Friday and Saturday, the Central A Ponies will travel to Missoula for the always challenging, Missoula Invite. While in Missoula the Ponies will see some of the toughest competition they have seen all season long. Great Falls High will once again be in attendance, as will Glacier, Flathead and at least half a dozen schools from Washington State. "It's always fun to go to Missoula, they put on such a good tournament," Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. "There are a lot of tough schools, it's far and away the toughest team tournament we will go to." The Ponies still have the Class A Duals on tap for next weekend, but Missoula will still be the toughest hurdle before state. Missoula is packed with individual and team talent, where every match will test the Pony grapplers. Making the trip will be Gilbert Bara (105), Duell Stadel (112), Zack Smith (119), Brett Normandy (125), Dillon Seely (130), Riley Harwood (135), Tyson Gruber (140), Eli Hinebauch (145), Kent Pattison (152), Kameron Pribyl (160), Casey Schaub (171), Josh Salapich (189), Jared Ruttofsky (215) and Mitch Schnittgen (285). The last three years the Ponies have made the trip, they have come away as the No. 2 finisher. Flathead has taken the No. 1 spot in as many years, and is looked to be a heavy favorite this time around. "I would like to think we can chase them," Filius said. "We gotta put our foot in the front door, the kids in the championships have to be our big points. And the rest of the kids have to carry the load in the back door." In essence, the Ponies need another performance like the one they had just last weekend at the Cut Bank Invite where they edged out Great Falls High for the team championship. HHS placed four kids in the championship bouts and came away with three wins along with a No. 2. The Ponies also had six individuals in the third-place matches, and one in the fifth. "I don't know if it's realistic to think you're going to go to a tournament at the next level and do the same thing," Filius said. "But I would sure think we could have everybody contribute and still have a lot of those kids place." This weekend is going to be tough on everybody. And while Gruber, Hinebauch and Schnittgen are coming off of an impressive tournament last weekend, Filius is still keeping his eye on some of his up and comers. "I would like to see those kids continue on the path," Filius said. "But on the same token, our young kids, Bara and Smith, we would like to see them continue as well." The Ponies have yet to break through and finish No. 1 in Missoula. But whether or not this is the year that happens, the Ponies should be a factor and should be considered a favorite to fill a top spot. "I would think if we wrestle well we should be scaring somebody at least." Filius said. On Friday and Saturday the Ponies will travel to Missoula, where they will take part in the Missoula Invite.