State Wrestling 2014: Two Brothers, One Medal

Once a Havre High wrestler reaches the state tournament, they find themselves facing an individual from another area of the state most of the time. Typically, it is an opponent outside the division for the Central A Blue Pony grappler.

Most times, Havre grapplers have to get through Sidney, Corvallis, Laurel and the rest of the Class A to reach glory.

Sometimes, the two going head to head for state supremacy have never even crossed paths in the past, but on some occasions the two may be extremely familiar with one another.

Take senior Tyler Adams and sophomore Travis Adams for example, two of the Blue Ponies who will be wrestling this weekend at the Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings in the Class A state meet.

The HHS brothers have had their share of battles in the practice room and even carpool to the Havre wrestling room after school. The Adams brothers don’t often face off during the season, as Travis wrestles up. Travis wrestled as the HHS heavyweight this season, but they will compete together and against each other as they both chase an individual state title.

Last year, Tyler and Travis both wrestled at 215 pounds at the state tournament. Tyler made the championship match and finished No. 2 for the Ponies. Tyler also wrestled at 215 pounds two years ago when he took fifth. Travis didn’t have quite as much success as his older brother did last year, finishing the state weekend with sixth place, but this weekend both Tyler and Travis will wrestle at 220 pounds, and they are both looking to win the same state championship.

It’s a unique situation, to say the least.

It is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two brothers, two years apart, to face off in the state championship match.

“It’s pretty exciting and makes me proud that we will both be there,” Tyler said. “On one end it kind of sucks because Travis is my little brother, but on the other hand I am still proud of him that he has this chance. But he has all the chance in the world to beat everybody in our weight class, but me.”

Tyler made the bold statement with smile on his face and laugh under his breath. But Travis brushed off his brother’s statement and did what any smart little brother would do in his situation, complimented his older brother, not giving Tyler any extra incentive.

“I think that he is a great wrestler,” Travis said. “He is the best in the state at 220 pounds in the Class A. I have been wrestling with him for years now, since we were young. I have learned the same things he has learned, just right after him, and I think we have helped each other grow over the years.”

Every day in practice means Tyler and Travis go head to head. But they don’t have the longest resume when it comes to meeting on the mat outside the practice room.

Technically the two are 1-1 against each other. Tyler defeated Travis in their first meeting last season with a win in the Central A semifinals. This year, Travis got his revenge, at least on paper, when he got the default win over Tyler in the Central A finals, leveling the playing field just before they hopefully cross paths in the Class A state championship match.

While both have proved they are talented Blue Ponies, Tyler may have the edge because of the extra experience.

“That would be my explanation for it, experience,” Tyler said. “Travis is good. But it works out well because when we face each other in practice we expose each other to what we need to work at. Some of the time what I am not good at, Travis is good at, and what Travis isn’t good at, I may be good at. It is a give and take and it is good for us, so I think this could be an interesting finals match.”

But when asked if he would let his little brother stand in the way of getting an individual title after a second-place finish a year ago, Tyler’s statement was short and to the point.

“I will not let him win,” Tyler said.

But a win by Travis would mean a win for little brothers everywhere.

“If I win, that would probably be one of the biggest moments of my life,” Travis said. “I will be honest, in a way I hope Tyler can win because it is his senior year, and I have two years left, but I definitely won’t be making it easy on him.”

Tyler also went on to explain how this match could be very entertaining, or could be somewhat boring to fans. The two know each other’s style so well, it may be a battle just to earn a point. As much as both would love to come out and dominate in the state title match, if these two brothers take down the rest of the field to meet there, then it might be a chess match for the coveted top spot.

“I just have to wrestle my best, wrestle like I was taught and how I have trained. That is what expect out of him too,” Tyler said. “But it will be a good match for us either way, exciting or not. For example, I can tell when he is going to do something like an arm drag, and he can tell when I am going to take a shot, we are used to each other. But I also think that could make it more interesting.”

In order to wrestle for the 220-pound state championship, the Adams brothers each have to win three times, including twice today in the opening rounds of the Class A state tournament in Billings. But if they both do succeed in getting to the finals, it will be a great situation for Havre, and an interesting and intense one for two brothers, who are both big, and both good.

Three Havre officials working All-Class State Tournament

Havre will be well represented at this weekend's All-Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings. And not just by the Blue Pony wrestling team. Longtime Havre referee Dan Boucher is working yet another state tournament, while veteran Mike Leinwand and former Blue Pony grappler Garrett Hansen have also been assigned to officiate the event. In all, 18 referees from across the state will officiate the 2014 state tournament. The officials rotate throughout the 12 mats and throughout the weekend, will work Class AA, A and B-C matches.

Follow State Wrestling Week with the HDN

The Havre Daily News will have extensive state wrestling coverage right through next Monday. Daniel Horton will be on scene covering all the action at the Metra Friday and Saturday. The HDN will have live coverage all weekend, including live scoring updates on our website and constant updates on Twitter.