Ponies geared up for Lions Invite

Every time the Havre High track teams turn around, there is yet another track meet awaiting the Blue Pony squad. But in rare fashion, this time the Ponies will compete at home for the second time in three days, and for the second consecutive meet.

After hosting a triangular with North Star and Chinook on Thursday, the Central A Ponies remain at home to compete on the Havre Middle School track in Havre. Saturday, the Ponies will welcome in 11 other teams as HHS hosts the annual Havre Lions Invitational. The field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the running events will begin at 10 a.m. And expected to compete will be Harlem, Whitewater, Glasgow, Rocky Boy, North Star, Box Elder, Chinook, Malta, Fort Benton, Conrad and Shelby.

"This is a really good meet that brings in a lot of good talent from across the Hi-Line," Havre High head coach Trevor VanCampen said. "It is good to get together as a Hi-Line and get the chance to compete against each other. There is a real sense of community at this meet, and fans and family from the surrounding communities get to come in and get a chance to watch their teams compete on a Saturday afternoon."

And once again, the Ponies should be led by a very familiar group of names.

Thurman Holdsclaw, Matt Emge, Zach Plum, Thomas Gruber and Gunnar Aageson have been solid in he pole vault, while Marc Klimas (distance runner) and Charlie Christianson (high jump) have also been very consistent. And for the girls, Peyton Filius has been the early leader in the 200, 400, and 800-meter. Katie Christianson (distance runner) and Lacey Waid (pole vault) are also strong competitors and point earners for the Ponies.

But as the season continues to roll on, the Ponies are still looking for athletes to step up and help carry the load.

Kade Rismon (throws), Nate Rismon (jumps), Alec Drew (throws), Dakota Christianson (middle distance/jumps), Logan Pleninger (middle distance), Jon Faber (jumps), Haley Ohm (middle distance), Martha Stocker (throws), and Nordgulen (jumps) have gained attention from the coaching staff with their steady improvement and are expected to pick up their production. But coach VanCampen is really looking at Ryne Antley for the boys and Skylar Vukasin for the girls squads, as divisionals are rapidly approaching.

Havre High senior Thurman Holdsclaw competes in the triple jump at the annual Cal Wearley track meet earlier this month in Havre. The Blue Pony track teams host the Lions Havre Invite Saturday at the Havre Middle School Track.

Antley is a junior thrower who has a chance at earning points in the javelin and discus each time out. And Vukasin is a senior high jumper, long jumper, and 100-meter sprinter who also could score the Ponies much needed points this weekend and down the road.

"We are waiting for (Antley) to get over the hump of his sophomore year," VanCampen said. "And we know he can show us some good things this year. And I am excited for her (Vukasin) too this year. She has had a solid carrier so far, and has been pretty steady. But she is going to be counted on pretty heavily this year, especially as we get closer to divisionals."

HHS will take another step towards the divisional and state meets this weekend with the annual Havre Invite in Havre. Field events will start at 9:30 a.m. and the running events will begin at 10 a.m. at the Havre Middle School track.