Havre High seniors have had quite the run on the mat

Every Havre High wrestler deserves some recognition for the Blue Ponies' success, but tonight the seniors will get the limelight.

Tonight while hosting Class B/C Conrad and Forsyth, the Pony senior grapplers will be recognized. And for all the accomplishments earned over the last four years, the recognition is well deserved.

Duell Stadel, Josh Salapich and Jared Ruttkofsky are the three seniors on this years roster.

"Duell (Stadel) has been lights out tough since he got here and last year Jared (Ruttkofsky) and Josh (Salapich) both got a lot tougher than they had been, and they have all been tough this year. But as a group they have been a pleasure to work with, I don't have anything bad to say about any one of them."

Ruttkofsky hasn't been at HHS for all four years, but has grown as an asset.

He wrestled for the Chinook Sugarbeeters for his freshman and sophomore years, but transferred to Havre for his junior and senior season.

"He was a pleasant surprise for us," Filius said. "He just matured himself personally and that was big for him."

Both Stadel and Salapich have been part of the Blue Pony program for all four years. Stadel is a returning state champion and Salapich went to state a year ago, and is having an outstanding senior season for the Ponies.

And doing so, they have been a big part of the year to year success of the program. In their last three years, both grapplers have been a part of three divisional championships and three Class A state championships.

"I would have to think that their expectations would be the same this year," Filius said. "They are great kids and I know that's part of what they are thinking about and pushing for."

The three Pony seniors will be honored tonight during Havre High's double dual with Conrad and Forsyth at the Havre High gymnasium.