Havre's Filius places at national wrestling tourney

Summer is a time for fun and sun. But Havre High junior-to-be Parker Filius has also put a lot of hard work in on the wrestling mat this summer.

Filius, a two-time Class A state champion for the Blue Ponies and head coach Scott Filius, who also happens to be his father, competed in the National Junior Wrestling Tournament last week in Fargo, North Dakota. The tournament is one of the biggest sanctioned wrestling tournaments in the country each year.

As an indication of just how big the event is, there were 122 grapplers in Filius' bracket alone.

Filius was part of Team Montana and was the only wrestler from the state to place in the tournament. The Blue Pony star finished the tournament with a record of 7-3 to place eighth overall. Getting into the top eight at the meet was a huge accomplishment for Filius, who also won six of his seven matches by fall.

Of Filius' three losses, all three were to grapplers committed to NCAA Division I programs. The champion at 138 pounds is headed to Virginia, while the runner-up is on his way to Princeton, and the third-place wrestler at 138 pounds is committed to Oklahoma State. All three are top-flight wrestling programs, so there's no doubt Filius got some top-notch competition in Fargo.

And it will soon be time for Filius himself to start getting courted by colleges. In Montana high school wrestling, Filius has just six losses in two seasons with the Blue Ponies. Both seasons he captured state championships and helped the Blue Ponies to back-to-back Class A team titles. Heading into his junior season, Filius will, no doubt, be touted as one of the top overall wrestlers in Montana, regardless of classification.

However, before wrestling season rolls around, Filius will once again star on the gridiron for the Blue Ponies. A Class A All-State selection a year ago, Filius plays running back and defensive back for the Blue Pony football team, which starts practice in two weeks.