MAT KINGS: Blue Ponies rumble to a 3-Peat in Billings

BILLINGS - The Havre High wrestling team went to the All-Class state wrestling tournament with one objective: win a third consecutive Class A state championship. And after a record-breaking performance over two days, it was mission accomplished for the Blue Ponies.

It didn't always come easy for the Ponies and despite an incredible opening day Friday at the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra Park in Billings, Havre still had work to do Saturday to wrap up the coveted 3-peat, which was just the second in school history.

Yet, when it mattered most, HHS wrestled its best and scored a Class A record 297 points to beat second-place Sidney, which finished with 268 points. Columba Falls finished a distant third. At tournament's end, Havre claimed five individual state titles and placed 13 Ponies on the medal stand.

"This was a fun one," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "The kids wrestled up to their abilities and we had a blast. We welcomed the challenge (from Sidney). It was nice that they came and competed. It was nice that (Sidney) had a team that could push us a little bit and it was a lot of fun."

Speaking of fun, the Ponies had plenty of it Friday in the first day of the tournament, when they went an incredible 31-4. All 16 Havre wrestlers won at least two matches and 13 advanced into the semifinals, which set a new HHS record.

Thanks to that performance, the Ponies lead over Sidney following day one was 146-124, which seemed insurmountable. However, the Eagles were not about to roll over, and they won seven of nine semifinal matches Saturday morning, compared to just six of 13 for Havre, making things interesting as the Pony lead shrank to three after the semifinal round was complete.

Havre still had six wrestlers get into the finals, which tied a school record, but it was not enough to separate from Sidney. Yet, HHS did exactly that in the consolation semifinals and finals.

The Ponies ended up winning 11 of 13 matches in the final two rounds of consolation and no victory was more important than junior Logan Pleninger's, who advanced to the consolation final at 126 pounds.

With Havre clinging to a three-point lead entering the round, Pleninger squared off against Sidney's Brady Gorder. Up to that point, the Eagles had all the momentum, but Pleninger and the Ponies stopped them in their tracks and after the junior's 9-0 victory, Havre once again had control of the tournament.

"That was the most important match of my weekend," Pleninger said. "I was able to beat him and get bonus points with a major (decision) so that was really good. We knew we just had to keep going and come back. They came close but we had a really good round. Then, in the next round, they didn't win any (matches) and we won almost all of ours, so that was really big, too."

It was big and Pleninger was not the only Pony to notch a key victory. Ryan Stewart, Dane Flammond, Kody Pribyl, Tyler Schaub and Jordan Schroeder all won in the consolation semis, which pushed the Havre lead back to nine at 256-247.

Then, in the consolation finals, Havre won five of seven matches as Stewart (103), Pleninger (126), Flammond (138) and Schroeder (182) all finished third. Pribyl (152) and Schaub (170) took fourth, while Keegan Kennelly (120) was fifth.

"It's always the kids in the wrestle backs that salt it away for you," Filius said. "The kids in the finals get the last hurrah because they are up last, but it's your kids in the back that make the difference. Jim Street (former Butte High wrestling coach, who won 14 state titles) did that for a 100 years. He outcoached everybody's bottom end. Our coaches coach all our kids. We have great coaches that put a lot of time and that has lot to do with (Havre's success)."

Schroeder in particular had an exciting day as the senior won his consolation semifinal over Devin Blythe of Lewistown in overtime 8-6, then pinned Sam Burdette of Corvallis to wrap up third place. That flurry of excitement closed out his career in memorable fashion, especially considering he missed most of the season due to injury and returned to the mat little more than a month ago.

"It feels really good, I could have beat the kid in the semis but came out flat. But it felt good to come all the way through the back door (for third)," Schroeder said. "It feels great to help your team. Win or lose, I helped them out as much as I could. It will be hard to leave coach Filius, he has meant so much to me, but my career is over and I finished it with a bang."

While the Ponies dominated the consolation finals, they were even better in the championship round as Havre crowned five individual champions in Grayson Brenna (132), Parker Filius (145), Jase Stokes (160), Jace Billy (205) and Travis Adams (heavyweight) Saturday night.

Gunnar Aageson also qualified for the finals after the senior pinned his first three opponents in the 145-pound weight class. He ended up falling to Parker Filius in an all-Havre final but that did nothing to taint a clutch performance that was an essential part of HHS capturing the team championship.

"This experience really differed from all the other times I've been (at state)," Aageson said. "Normally, I never even made it to the second day, this year, I made it to the finals. It's just crazy. I think it was my senior year. I wanted to be a bigger part and score more points and do more to help the team."

Aageson also produced one of the iconic moments of the tournament for Havre in the quarterfinals Friday. Aageson, who was wrestling Colton Gove of Columbia Falls, got a key pin to earn a berth in the semifinals. It was such an important win that it prompted coach Filius, who is not prone to showing emotion, to pump his fist in the air and shout with joy in the direction of the Havre fans in attendance.

"I felt like I had just won the state tournament," said Aageson as he chuckled. "I was so happy and so proud of myself. It was a great accomplishment. It was kind of the perfect senior year. I could never imagine being in the finals, and it was a perfect end to my career."

And even though they did not place, John Chinadle, Zacc Schroeder and Dylan Stewart also contributed to the team championship by winning two matches apiece, meaning for the second straight year, every single Havre wrestler scored points in the team competition.

The Ponies' astounding two-day performance was yet another reminder of Havre's dominance under Filius. The title was not only Havre's third in a row but also the seventh in nine years and the 10th of the Filius era.

"This is the most recent so it's the most fun," Filius replied when asked where his 10th championship ranked among the others. "But they are all special. This is fun. The kids wrestled pretty dog gone well."

TEAM SCORES

1, Havre 297; 2, Sidney 268; 3, Columbia Falls 154; 4, Belgrade 96; 5, Corvallis-Darby 93.5; 6, Polson 82; 7, Hardin 76; 8, Lewistown 72.5; 9, Dillon 71, 10, Laurel 70; 11, Glendive, 69; 12, Libby-Troy, 66; 13, Frenchtown-Alberton, 64.5; 14, Hamilton-Victor, 51; Butte Central, 39.5; 16, Whitefish, 38; 18, Browning, 22; 19, Anaconda, 21; 20, Livingston, 13. 21, Miles City, 5; 22, Stevensville, 3.

Championship Round

103: Ben Stortz, DCG, dec. Bridger Grover, FELE, 8-3; 113: Sawyer Degen, BELG, p. Caleb Birdwell, FELE, 5:44; 120: Trace Jones, SIBA, dec. Kohltin Starkel, BCDT, 5-2; 126: Gresh Jones, SIBA, p. Haze Bell, COFA, :54; 132: Grayson Brenna, HAVR, maj. dec. Kaleb Gravelin, COFA, 11-3; 138: Jarrett Degen, BELG, p. Shonn Roberts, COFA, 5:36; 145: Parker Filius, HAVR, p. Gunnar Aageson, HAVR, 1:07; 152: Ryan Chatterton, SIBA, p. Zach Hart, BUCE, :51; 160: Jase Stokes, HAVR, p. Doug Rooney, SIBA, 1:21; 170: Garret Chapel, LITR, p. Cody Johnson, :48182: Cody Christian, SIBA, maj. dec. Connor Murdock, HARD, 15-3; 205: Jace Billy, HAVR, p. Hunter Severson, SIBA, 3:48; 285: Travis Adams, HAVR, p. Bryce Blumenschein, BELG, 1:33.

Consolation Finals

103: Ryan Stewart, HAVR, dec. Kaleb Ripley, LAUR, 10-3; 113: Travis Kinn, DCG, maj. dec. Wyatt Van Buren, SIBA, 12-0; 120: Brenden Roan, HARD, p. Cody Warner, FRAL, 4:12; 126: Logan Pleninger, HAVR, dec. Clay Stillwagon, BUCE, 9-6; 132: Brent Tezak, BCDT, dec. Ethan Graves, SIBA, 4-3; 138: Dane Flammond, HAVR, dec. Parker Dean, SIBA, 3-1; 145: Colton Gove, COFA, dec. Jon Blanchard, FRAL, 8-3; 152: Zach Crace, LITR, dec. Kody Pribyl, HAVR, 5-4; 160: Riley Jessop, CODA, dec. Tyler Kutzler, DCG, 7-4; 170: Cody Lucke, BROW, dec. Tyler Schaub, HAVR, 2-0; 182: Jordan Schroeder, HAVR, p. Sam Burdette, CODA, 1:44; 205: Michael Bumgarner, HAVI, p. Mike Corrigan, POLS, 1:37; 285: Spencer Ross, COFA, p. Christian Gomez, SIBA, 2:48.

Fifth Place 

103: Mateo Quinones, POLS, dec. Caleb Bagnell FRAL, 9-4; 113: Cameron Brown, POLS, p. Eric LaFontaine, HARD, :50; 120: Keegan Kennelly, HAVR, p. Hunter Braaton, BICE, 1:52; 126: Chase Conner, CODA, p. Brady Gorder, SIBA, 2:47; 132: Clayton Carter, LAUR, dec. Tyler Ishler,  FRAL, 5-0; 138: Pat Comstock, BICE, dec. Connor Ludwig, LAUR, 6-5; 145: Alex Wickens, FELE, dec. Robert Few, HAVI, 6-4; 152: Patrick Griffin, BCDT, dec. Manny Rivera, HAVI, 12-9; 160: Judah Prestegaard, WHIT, won by injury default; 170: John Preller, LAUR, dec. Tele Seemann, POLS, 3-2; 182: Devin Blythe, FELE, dec. Philip Whitney, HAVI, 6-0; 205: Parker Tezak, BCDT, dec. Grady Blewett, BELG, 6-4; 285: Luke Channer, CODA, p. Cole Schmitt, CODA, 3:37

Havre Individual Results

103 – Ryan Stewart (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Kon Speelmon, MC, 1:04; Quarterfinals – pinned Austin Nelson, CF, :51; Semifinals – lost dec. Ben Stortz, GLE, 9-3; Consolation Semis – maj. dec. Caleb Bagnell, FTN, 10-1; Consolation Final – dec. Kaleb Ripley, LAU, 10-3.

120 – Keegan Kennelly (5th Place)

1st rd – maj. dec. Jace Johnson, SID, 9-1; Quarterfinals – dec. Parker Adler, POL, 7-0; Semifinals – pinned by Trace Jones, SID, 3:19; Consolation Semis – pinned by Brendan Roan, HAR, 3:58; Fifth/Sixth – pinned Hunter Braaton, BLC, 1:52.

120 – Dylan Stewart

1st rd – pinned Hunter Braaten, BLC, 1:33; Quarterfinals – lost dec. Cody Warner, FTN, 7-5; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Jace Johnson, SID, :35; Consolation 3rd rd – pinned by Brendan Roan, HAR, 3:40.

126 – Logan Pleninger (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Dylan Neutgens, BLC, 1:35; Quarterfinals – pinned Brandon Bisch, ANA, 1:53; Semifinals – lost dec. Gresh Jones, SID, 9-0; Consolation Semis – maj. dec. Brady Gorder, SID, 9-0; Consolation Final – dec. Clay Stillwagon, BC, 9-6.

132 – Grayson Brenna (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Drew Vaughn, ANA, :49; Quarterfinals – dec. Ethan Graves, SID, 9-3; Semifinals – pinned Brent Tezak, DIL, :59; Championship – maj. dec. Kaleb Gravelin, CF, 11-3.

132 – Jazz Schroeder

1st r d- pinned Drew Schmitt, COR, 4:34; Quarterfinal – pinned by Clayton Carter, LAU, 5:16; Consolation 2nd rd – lost dec. Tyler Ishler, FTN, 4-3.

138 – Dane Flammond (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Jesse Cooper, ANA, 4:34; Quarterfinals – dec. Pat Comstock, BLC, 4-1; Semifinals – lost maj. dec. Shonn Roberts, CF, 11-1; Consolation Semis – dec. Connor Ludwig, LAU, 6-0; Consolation Final – dec. Parker Dean, SID, 3-1.

145 – Parker Filius (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Dustin Copeland, HAM, :20; Quarterfinals – tech. fall John Blanchard, FTN, 17-1; Semifinals – pinned Robert Few, HAM, 1:29; Championship – pinned Gunnar Aageson, HAV, 1:07.

145 – Gunnar Aageson (2nd Place)

1st rd – pinned Brevlin Thompson, ANA, 1:48; Quarterfinals – pinned Colton Gove, CF, 4:12; Semifinals – pinned Alex Wickens, LEW, 1:37 – Championship – pinned by Parker Filius, HAV, 1:07.

152 – Kody Pribyl (4th Place)

1st rd – maj. dec. Baylee Burt, COR, 12-3; Quarterfinals – dec. Patrick Toyne, HAR, 7-3; Semifinals – lost dec. Zach Hart, BC, 5-3; Consolation Semis – dec. Patrick Griffin, DIL, 9-3; Consolation Final – lost dec. Zach Crace, LIB, 5-4.

160 – Jase Stokes (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Mason Griffin, STV, 1:40; Quarterfinals – pinned Tyler Klapp, GLE, 3:29; Semifinals – pinned Riley Jessop, COR, 2:47; Championship – pinned Doug Rooney, SID, 1:21.

170 – Tyler Schaub (4th Place)

1st rd – pinned Alex Yeadon, LIB, 3:21; Quarterfinals – maj. dec. Brandon Becker, HAR, 20-7; Semifinals – lost maj. dec. Garrett Chapel, LIB, 13-3; Consolation Semis – dec. Tele Seelman, POL, 7-6; Consolation Final – lost dec. Cody Lucke, BRO, 2-0.

170 – John Chinadle

1st rd – pinned by Tele Seeman, POL, 5:27; Consolation 1st rd – pinned Chris Carson, DIL, :53; Consolation 2nd rd – pinned Brandon Becker, HAR, 2:20; Consolation 3rd rd – lost dec. John Preller, LAU, 7-2.

182 – Jordan Schroeder (3rd Place)

1st rd – pinned Tristan Austin, FTN, :55; Quarterfinals – pinned Phillip Whitney, ANA, :45; Semifinals – pinned by Connor Murdock, HAR, 5:33; Consolation Semis – dec. Devin Blythe, LEW, 8-5 OT; Consolation Final – pinned Sam Burdette, COR, 1:44.

205 – Jace Billy (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Travis Catina, WF, :41; Quarterfinals – dec. Parker Tezek, DIL, 8-2; Semifinals – pinned Mike Corrigan, POL, 2:57; Championship – pinned Hunter Severson, SID, 3:48.

HWT – Travis Adams (State Champion)

1st rd – pinned Eli Marley, GLE, :36; Quarterfinals – tech. fall Cole Schmitt, COR, 16-1; Semifinals – pinned Spencer Ross, CF, 1:20; Championship – pinned Bryce Blumenschein, BEL, 1:33.