State Wrestling 2016: Havre High has plenty of big guns in Billings

The Havre Blue Ponies have won three straight Class A state championships, and nine in the last 12 years. To say they’ve been dominant the last decade would be a gross understatement.

And, to say the Ponies are the prohibitive favorite this weekend at the 2016 Class A state tourney, which gets underway Friday morning in Billings, wouldn’t do justice to what the Ponies really are. In reality, barring a natural disaster, the Ponies probably can’t be beat this year in Billings.

Yes, there are some good individuals and strong teams in Class A, just like every year, but no one, not Sidney, Columbia Falls, Laurel or Polson, has the top-end stars the Ponies do, and the depth to back them up. In other words, Havre is just too complete for the rest of this weekend’s field.

And with that in mind, here’s a complete breakdown of every Havre High wrestlers bracket at this weekend’s state tourney, which runs through Saturday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

103 – Open

The Blue Ponies didn’t have a 103-pounder this season, but, it hasn’t mattered much to Havre thus far. As for the bracket in Billings, as always, the division is wide-open and full of freshman. Polson has a pair of contenders in R.J. Pierre and Mateo Quinones, while Eastern A champ Christian Dean of Sidney is another one to watch.

113 – Ryan Stewart (30-13)

A top-ranked wrestler for much of the season, Stewart fell to fourth at last weekend’s Eastern A. Still, Stewart, who finished third at 103 a year ago, will certainly be a factor this week. His main completion will come from both of his Glendive rivals in Ben Stortz, a defending state champ, and Travis Kinn, who finished third at 113 a year ago. Columbia Falls’ Winfield West is another top contender in the bracket. Stewart opens the tournament against Whitefish’ Taisuke Matsuo, and would face Kinn in the quarterfinals.

120 – Martin Wilkie (40-7)

Wilkie has burst onto the scene as a freshman. Ranked No. 1 for much of the season, and now a divisional champ, Wilkie is probably the favorite in his weight class this week. The draw does have a few returning state placers, including Lewistown rival Caleb Birdwell, but for the most part, Wilkie has beaten everybody in the bracket this season. Still, the road to a championship is never easy, and the likes of Sidney’s Wyatt Van Buren and Frenchtown’s Owen Ireland will certainly try to keep the outstanding Wilkie from winning his first state title. Wilkie opens the tournament with Whitefish’ Sidney Cooke.

126 – Lane Paulson (11-10)

The Blue Ponies were open much of the season at 126 pounds, but sophomore Lane Paulson moved up and filled that spot late in the season. And now, after a strong showing at the Eastern A, Paulson is in the state tournament. This week, however, Paulson is in a loaded draw, including Sawyer Degan of Belgrade, who is the star of the weight class. Three-time state placer Koltin Starkel of Dillon, as well as Sidney’s Jace Winter will also have a say in how things shake out. Paulson opens his first state tourney with Ben Windauer of Columbia Falls.

132 – Logan Pleninger (45-6)

Pleninger has had a spectacular senior season, and after finishing third at 126 last year, he comes to Billings on a mission to capture a state championship in his final try. A three-time state placer already, Pleninger has been dominant throughout the year, but his road to a title won’t be easy. He and Laurel’s Clayton Carter waged a great battle at last weekend’s Eastern A and a rematch in the state final is expected. But, they both must also watch out for returning state placer Brady Gorder of Sidney, as well as Polson’s Cameron Brown, who comes into the tournament undefeated. Pleninger squares off against Whitefish’ Rob Bertelsen in the first round.

138 – Kody Pribyl (22-12)

Priybl is another HHS senior out to grab his first state championship. He’s also a three-time state placer, including a fourth-place finish up at 152 a year ago. Dropping down this year, Pribyl has been outstanding for much of the season, and he was at last weekend’s Eastern A. Returning state placers Caleb Gravelin of Columbia Falls and Brent Tezak of Dillon are also in the mix, as is Billings Central’s Pat Comstock. But, this is another weight class where Havre has high expectations. Pribyl starts his march toward a state title with Hamilton’s James Bess.

145 – Jazz Schroeder (21-24)

As a freshman, Schroeder impressed at the state tourney, but in his return as a sophomore, he’s in a bracket that includes the unbeatable Jarrett Degan of Belgrade, who’s gunning for a fourth straight state championship. The bracket also includes returning state placers Mason Fetters of Columbia Falls and Cody Warner of Frenchtown so the road to the podium will be a tough one for Schroeder, who opens the tournament with Fetters.

152 – Parker Filius (43-4)

Going for his third-straight state championship, the incomparable Filius has lost just two matches in his own weight class all season long. And don’t expect anyone to really challenge him this weekend. Though a wrestler can’t take any opponent lightly at the state tourney, Filius is the clear favorite, as there are no returning state placers in his bracket. His biggest challenges will likely come from Eastern A opponents Alex Wickens of Lewistown and Bridger Coffman of Sidney, as well as Frenchtown’s Jon Blanchard, but overall, there’s not much that can stop Filius this week. He opens the state tourney with Frenchtown’s Hunter Allen.

152 – Jared Laux (13-8)

Laux is returning to the state tournament after a good showing at last week’s Eastern A. And his goal to get on the podium is a very realistic one. He’s in Filius’ bracket, and he’ll have to watch out for Wickens, Koffman and Blanchard, but Laux certainly has the opportunity to be one of the surprises for the Blue Ponies this weekend. He opens the tournament against Corvallis’ Kye McCollaum.

160 – Dane Flammond (32-9)

Last year in Billings, Flammond burst onto the scene with a third place finish at 138 pounds. Now up to 160, he comes to Billings as the top-ranked wrestler in his bracket, and an Eastern A champion. The junior’s goal is a state championship in a bracket that features no other returning state placers. Flammond’s main competition will come from Dillon’s Patrick Griffin, as well as Eastern A rivals Tyler Klapp of Glendive and Chad Lander of Lewistown, but the bracket is certainly Flammond’s for the taking. Flammond begins his quest against Malik Heydon of Whitefish.

170 – Open

The Blue Ponies didn’t get a 170-pounder through to state, marking the second weight class they’ll be open this week. And that’s good news for the likes of Lewistown’s Wyatt Blythe, Browning’s Cody Lucke, Stevensville’s Ben Crews and a host of others, all of whom could walk away with the state title Saturday night.

182 – Jase Stokes (40-3)

Stokes is Havre’s second wrestler on a mission to keep alive his chances of being a four-time state champion. He captured the 170-pound title a year ago, and going into this weekend, he hasn’t lost a match to a Class A opponent. Stokes beat Hardin’s Connor Murdock in last week’s Eastern A championship, and a rematch in the state title bout is expected. But, Stevi’s Mason Griffin and Frenchtown’s Cole Jones will also be factors in the draw. Stokes opens the state tourney with Polson’s Nolan Humphrey.

205 – Tyler Schaub (37-7)

Schaub, a returning state placer from a year ago, has had a brilliant sophomore season. Ranked No. 1 for much of the year, Schaub lost a heartbreaker to Sidney’s Hunter Severson in last week’s Eastern A final. And those two are expected to be the top two contender for the 205-pound crown this week in Billings. However, the Western A has contenders as well, including Hamilton’s Justin Hinson, who’s lost just once this season, as well as returning state placer Mike Corrigan of Polson. Schaub will have to go through Hinson to get to the state final, and while his draw is one of the tougher ones in the tournament, he’s certainly ready to win a state championship in Billings. Schaub opens the tournament with Dillon’s Matt Stafford.

205 – JayR Caplette (3-4)

Caplette didn’t see much varsity action this season, but he made the most out of his opportunity at the Eastern A. He’s in a loaded draw, with Schaub, Severson and Hinson, and he has to battle Corrigan in the first round. But, Caplette is another Blue Pony who, in the end, could make a surprise run to the podium this weekend.

HWT – Travis Adams (38-3)

Adams, who’s been nearly unstoppable this season, is a heavy favorite to repeat as a state champion, after dominating the weight class a year ago. He hasn’t lost to a Class A opponent since his sophomore season, and Belgrade rival Bryce Blumenschien, who Adams beat for the state championship last year, and again at the Eastern A last weekend, is considered the second-best heavyweight in the draw. So, there’s no doubt Adams is a very clear favorite again this week, but Whitefish’ Steven Quimby and Corvallis’ Garrett Hunt could also make some noise. Adams has a bye in the first round and will face either Polson’s Nick Marquardt or Hardin’s Grant Scalpcane in the quarterfinals.