Havre thinclads debut today in Cut Bank

The beginning of a spring sports season is typically hit and miss with the continuously changing weather. But with nothing but blue skies and moderate temperatures set for the remainder of this week, it looks like the Havre High track teams will get the season started without a hitch.

Today, the Central A Blue Ponies will compete in Cut Bank at the Cut Bank Time Trials. Last season poor weather caused the season starting event to be canceled, but with that behind them, the Ponies are excited about getting this season underway.

Havre junior Kade Rismon and the Blue Pony track teams begin their season today at the Cut Bank Time Trials.

"This is a good way for our kids to get track time and see how they match up against other schools," Havre High head coach Trevor VanCampen said. "Our goal is to make it out of there without injuries, and we just want to get everybody a time or a mark so that they can improve on that throughout the season. It is just a nice quick trip to Cut Bank so we can see where we stand early on."

And the pool of competitors may not be deep, but it is talented.

Only about 10 programs open up their season in Cut Bank, mostly a variety of Class B and Class C programs from around the Hi-Line. But with teams like Cut Bank, Big Sandy, North Star, Chester/J-I and Conrad all expected to be in attendance, the Ponies know they will still have to put up some decent times and distances if they hope to compete.

But win or lose, VanCampen isn't putting a lot of pressure on his team this weekend. Cut Bank allows HHS to ease into their season, and allows the Ponies to get in some competition, as well as shake off any rust. And with a lot of new and returning athletes, this weekend will also allow VanCampen and the rest of the coaching staff to see how this team will come together this season.

"It is nice to see how the new faces are going to compete," VanCampen said. "But it is always nice to see the older kids get out and compete, and just see where and how they have improved from last season. We are excited."

Newcomers to the 2013 season include Travis Adams, Zane Anderson, Charlie Christianson, Rachel David, Megan Erickson, Thomas Keith, Luke Karnauskas, Logan Pleninger, Nate Rismon, Brock Ross and Martha Stocker. And some more familiar names to the HHS track program include Gunnar Aageson, Tyler Adams, Austin After Buffalo, Michael Antley, Neya Bischoff, Kodi Borris, Alicia Borst, Dakota Christianson, Katy Christianson, Michael Compton, Garrett Dolezal, Alec Drew, Ramsey Drew, Mat Emge, Brandi Erickson, Jonathan Faber, Peyton Filius, Zeena Fox, Thomas Gruber, Thurman Holdsclaw, Jonathan Hovet, Katlyn King, Marc Klimas, Jaden Korb, Rockwell Kuhr, Sundance Lodge, Derek Matosich, Daniel Miller, Troy Mingneau, Jennifer Nordgulen, Haley Ohm, Shalina Pearson, Zach Plum, Larissa Price, Carlene Rennick, Kade Rismon, Tyres Rodarte, Kiana Stump, Kelly Teske, Lacey Waid and Corissa White.

A handful of the Blue Pony athletes are set in the events they will compete in, but this weekend will also help the younger athletes find their niche. But competitors like Aageson (pole vault), Tyler Adams (throws), Bischoff (throws), Katy Christianson (distance), Emge (pole vault), Filius (distance), Gruber (pole vault), Holdsclaw (pole vault, triple jump), Klimas (distance), Plum (pole vault, sprints, long jump), Kade Rismon (throws) and Waid (pole vault) should look to pick up where they left off last season, and help carry the load point wise.

Today the Blue Ponies will get their season started in Cut Bank at the Cut Bank Time Trials.