Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Lane Paulson, Havre Wrestling

When it comes to the Havre High wrestling team, few guys have as much experience as Lane Paulson, and over the next two weeks at both divisionals and state, that experience is going to come in handy.

Paulson, a senior, is getting set for his last go around with Blue Pony wrestling, and after completing his final regular season as an HHS wrestler, Paulson has turned his attention toward the postseason and ending his career on a high note.

"I don't feel any extra pressure or anything like that," Paulson said. "I have worked hard and I feel good. I don't have to cut too much weight, so I am just trying to get rest, stay healthy and keep getting ready."

Of course, Paulson is no stranger to success at the Eastern A Divisional, which is what Havre will compete in this Saturday in Miles City. Over the past two seasons, Paulson has reached the finals only to fall short and finish as the runner-up as both as a sophomore and junior.

This time around, wrestling at 138 pounds, Paulson said he was hoping to find his way to the top of the podium, which would be a first for him at a postseason tournament, although he came very close to winning a state championship during his sophomore season when he advanced all the way to the championship match before finishing as runner-up.

However, that isn't Paulson's only positive experience at the state tournament. Back in 2016, he qualified for state as a freshman but wasn't able to reach the podium. Then, after getting second as a sophomore, Paulson followed that up with a third-place finish as a junior. In the semifinals, he fell to Bridger Wentzel of Polson after getting pinned at the 5:47 mark. Yet, Paulson rebounded and won his last two matches to finish third, while also helping the Ponies to a second-place finish in the team competition.

In all, Paulson has been on the podium as an individual twice, while also being part of two state championship teams in 2016 and 2017, and a team that finished runner-up last season. With his stellar resume, it wasn't shocking to see the Montana State University-Northern wrestling program offer Paulson a scholarship and just recently, Paulson signed an NAIA letter of intent to wrestle for the Lights next season.

Before advancing to the collegiate ranks, though, Paulson is looking to finish off his high-school wrestling career in style and before he and the rest of the Ponies head to Miles City, the Havre Daily News caught up with him for five questions.

HDN: With divisionals this weekend, how is it different wrestling in postseason tournaments as opposed to the regular season?

Paulson: "The intensity definitely picks up and you can feel everyone in the room is ready to go, and, this year, I have noticed it a lot more than other years. Everyone is focused and everyone is ready."

HDN: How excited are you about wrestling at MSU-Northern?

Paulson: "I am really excited. I really like the coaching staff and they have a tough team so I am ready to get up there and scrap at the college level."

HDN: What is your goal for this weekend?

Paulson: "I would like to win divisionals. That's something that I have never done before."

HDN: Outside of wrestling, what is a hobby of yours?

Paulson: "Fishing. I like to fish a lot. We will go out to the Bear Paws in the summers and go fishing some of us wrestlers."

HDN: What have you enjoyed the most about being a Havre High wrestler?

Paulson: "The kids. I love hanging out with them and practicing and we are just a really close bunch for sure."