Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Grant Pattison, Havre High Wrestling

Havre High has produced a lot of great athletic talent over the years, but as far as team success goes, there aren't many programs across the state of Montana that can stand up next to the Havre Blue Pony wrestling program.

Senior Grant Pattison is one of the key grapplers for the No. 2 ranked Class A Blue Ponies this season. Pattison is ranked No. 1 in the state at 189 pounds and is in the hunt for his first state title. As a sophomore he wrestled at 160 pounds and missed placing at state by one position. But as a junior he wrestled at 171 pounds and managed to finish the season with a fourth-place finish at the state tournament last February. Pattison was also a three year football player for HHS, but turning all his focus to wrestling in his senior year, Pattison is in prime position to finish his prep career with a No. 1 finish.

Havre High senior Grant Pattison, left, takes down a Great Falls opponent during the 2012 Havre Invite last month. Pattison is having a tremendous senior season for the Blue Ponies, and he'll be a favorite to capture an individual state championship next month in Billings.

Some of Pattison's other notable finishes include a No. 1 finish at the Cut Bank Invite last season and again this season, a No. 2 finish at the CMR Holiday Classic this season, and a No. 4 finish in Missoula a year ago.

He will look to better that Missoula finish this weekend.

But Grant Pattison isn't the only Pattison to find wrestling success with the Ponies. Grant's older brother Kent Pattison was a former HHS great as a two-time state champion, and took his wrestling talents to the University of Great Falls after graduation. Kent is currently an assistant coach for the CMR Rustler's after having to hang up his own career due to injuries.

Grant Pattison is also considering moving to the college ranks, but hasn't looked into the prospect too heavily as of yet. He remains focused on the remainder of his senior season, but would love to continue his wrestling career at the college level if the opportunity later presents itself.

HDN: What kind of influence has your brother had on your own wrestling career?

Pattison: "His success has always made me want to do better than him. (After his injury) I try to not really think about it because whatever happens, happens. But he is always there to push me a little further."

HDN: What would it mean to you to earn an individual state title this season?

Pattison: "That would mean a lot to me. Yeah it is (what every wrestler is working for), I just have to work harder than any other wrestler out there and I think I can do that."

HDN: What does the team have to do to get past top teams like No. 1 Sidney, and win another team title?

Pattison: "We all just have to work together well, work hard, and just keep pushing each other. Coach (Scott) Filius is always pushing us to go harder and pushing us to set our goals higher."

HDN: Where is your favorite place to wrestle during the season?

Pattison: "I would have to say Missoula because it is one of the tougher tournaments we wrestle at during the year. If you can (have success there), it shows how hard we work, and all of the bigger and tougher schools are there to see that."

HDN: What is the hardest thing about keeping your weight down during the season?

Pattison: "You just have to watch it close, but this year I haven't really had to worry about it since I am wrestling at a heavier weight. In the past I really had to make sure I didn't drink too much water after practice and stuff. We just have to watch what we eat, and I used to have those craving for things, but I haven't had to worry about this year."