Final Night on the Blue and White Mat

The Havre High wrestling team doesn't get many chances to wrestle in Havre, in front of its hometown fans. But tonight, the Blue Ponies will get to do just that, as they get ready to honor three seniors, who will wrestle inside the HHS gymnasium for the final time.

Over the years, Havre has found several different teams to face them in this final home dual and this year, it will be Glasgow, an old Class B rival that is trying to rebuild its once strong wrestling program.

"We haven't seen them (Glasgow) all year long," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "Since we don't see them after this, I haven't really kept track of them. But they have a program that is steeped in tradition. They had a bunch of guys come through that program that are running it and trying to get the wheels back up. You know at least traditionally, you will great effort from Glasgow."

While the Ponies will be focused on beating Glasgow, Havre will also honor its three seniors, Ryan Stewart, Tyler Schaub and Jazz Schroeder. Schaub is the most decorated of the three, at least up to this point, thanks to his individual state championship in 2016. Yet, all three have been key contributors. Stewart has placed at state three straight seasons and Schroeder made state tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016, before missing the 2017 state tournament due to injury.

"I have had a blast working with these guys," Filius said. "I have worked with them for four years in high school and knew them all in middle school. Jazz has been around our program with an older brother, Tyler has been around the program with an older brother and Ryan has been around our program with an older brother. So yeah, it's family. It's fun."

Each senior wrestler has made a significant contribution to the program, but at the same time, all three have overcome major obstacles during their time wrestling for the Ponies. Schaub and Schroeder both suffered injuries playing football in the fall of 2016 and were unable to wrestle during their junior seasons. Schaub attempted a comeback, but hurt himself after qualifying for state and was unable to try to win a second state championship.

Schaub is now back to full strength and ranked No. 1 in the 205-pound weight class. He, Stewart and Schroeder should each have a good chance to make the state tournament and if things go well, all three could wind up on the podium.

"Their commitment to their sport, their commitment to their team, their commitment to each other, they are just great kids," Filius said.

Stewart, who was diagnosed with diabetes in his freshman year, has battled through the illness throughout his wrestling career, but it hasn't stopped him from achieving great things.

Like Schroeder and Schaub, Stewart will have one last chance to wrestle in front of the fans in Havre and for him, it's a bittersweet moment.

"It's one of those things, where it's kind of a happy and sad moment," Stewart said. "It's hard to believe that four years have gone by. We are all really close, the whole team, not just the seniors in general, but us seniors have been through every state championship together, both guys (Schaub and Schroeder) faced injuries. I am lucky enough that didn't have an injury, besides overcoming diabetes when I first got diagnosed. But it will be pretty intense knowing it's my last time in a Havre gym."

In addition to Stewart (120 pounds', Schaub (205 pounds) and Schroeder (170 pounds), Havre will also have Mick Chagnon (103 pounds), Cameron Pleninger (113), Quinn Reno (126), Lane Paulson (138), Martin Wilkie (145), Connor Harris (152), Mason Dionne (160) and Brayden Stadel (182) also in action. The dual with Glasgow will get underway tonight at 5:30.