Area spring sports starts today

While winter may not have loosened its grip on the Hi-Line yet, the high school spring sports season will begin today.

At Havre High, track and field, tennis and softball will begin practices today in anticipation of season-opening events which are two weeks away. The weather will play a role in how much Blue Pony teams can get outside right away, but all three sports will begin the season on time, in gyms and other indoor venues if necessary. Area track and field teams in Rocky Boy, Harlem, Chinook, Turner, Big Sandy, Hays-Lodge Pole, North Star and Chester/J-I can also begin practice today per MHSA rules.

In order for teams and student-athletes to be eligible for regular season competition, they must have 10 official practices in before they can compete. Parents and student-athletes are also reminded that no one will be aloud to participate in a spring practice until he or she has a sports physical.

As for Havre High teams, the season is set to get underway on March 27. The Blue Pony tennis teams are set to open the season that day at the Cut bank Invitational, while the HHS tracks teams will compete at a meet also in Cut Bank. The HHS JV softball team also has games scheduled for March 27 in Cut Bank, while the varsity team begins play at the Great Falls Jamboree on April 2.

The HHS tennis team has just one home meet, the Havre Invitational on April 9. The Blue Pony track team competes in Havre on April 6 at the Cal Wearley Invitational hosted by North Star, as well as the Lions Havre Invitational April 16. The Pony softball team has several home dates, including the Havre Invite on May 7.

HHS's postseason includes state softball in Miles City, state track in Missoula and state tennis in Great Falls, all running May 26-28.