Hi Line Athlete Profile: Dani Wagner, Havre High softball

When it comes to playing sports at Havre High, senior Dani Wagner has done just about everything you can do. And this weekend, at the Class A state softball tournament, Wagner, one of the great multi-sport athletes in school history, will have one last go-round as a Blue Pony.

In the history of Havre athletics, few have had as much success in as many different areas as Wagner has. Over the course of four years, she has turned herself into one of the most decorated athletes the Ponies have ever seen.

In both basketball and volleyball, Wagner has been named to the Class A All-State multiple times and when those honors are released later this month for softball, it's a near certainty that she will be honored with an All-State selection in that sport for the second straight season.

Yet for as much individual success Wagner as had, which is a lot, she was also Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore on the diamond, her teams have also excelled thanks in part to her on-field skills, as well as her leadership abilities.

With Wagner playing a key role, the Pony softball team has made some important strides the past few seasons, qualifying for the state tournament in three straight years. During the 2014 season, her sophomore year, Wagner belted three home runs for Havre and helped HHS end its state-tournament drought.

In the Ponies' first-round game that year against Miles City, Wagner, who has hit a total of 18 homers over the past three seasons, went yard when it matter most as she hit a game-winning, walk-off homer to send the Ponies past the Cowgirls in dramatic fashion.

After a breakout campaign in 2014, Wagner took her game to a whole level in softball as a junior, notching seven home runs, hitting over .400 for the season and notching more than 20 RBIs. Wagner also earned All-State honors for the first time and not just because of her bat but also because she turned into one of the top defensive center fielders in the state, in addition to being her team's top pitcher.

Yet, at the 2015 state tournament, the Ponies didn't enjoy the same success they did in 2014, as they lost a heartbreaker to Miles City, before bowing out of the tournament after a 6-2 loss to Billings Central.

This season, Wagner was one of just three seniors on the team, joining Scout Boucher and Payton Howard. Along with her fellow seniors, Wagner had to take on a bigger leadership role, following the graduation of program stalwarts Paige Henderson and Rachel David. Their absence also meant that Wagner would assume even more of the team's pitching duties.

And even though pitcher is not her best position on defense, Wagner has still put together a solid season on the mound for Havre and pitched effectively in a wins at the divisional tournament last weekend over Livingston that helped HHS clinch a third-consecutive berth.

The Ponies were also aided greatly in their path to state by a clutch, two-run homer by Wagner late in the game against Livingston, that effectively put the game out of reach and sent Havre to Belgrade for the three-day tournament that starts today.

Wagner, who will be competing in her seventh state tournament (three in basketball, three in softball, one in volleyball) will be looking to cap her incredible high-school athletic career (she will play basketball at Carroll College next fall) with a few more magical moments, starting with Havre's opening-round game today against Glendive at 2 p.m.

Yet, before Wagner and the Ponies made the trip to Belgrade to take part in their third-straight state tournament, the Havre Daily News caught up with Wagner for five

questions.

HDN: The home run you hit against Livingston was big. How did it feel to hit that home run in such an important moment for your team?

Wagner: "I finally was able to step up and relax and hit the ball well. I think it just showed me and my teammates that if you go up to the plate and relax and be confident in yourself, anything can happen and that's a memory that I will never forget."

HDN: You have hit a lot of home runs the last few years, but if you had to pick your favorite or most memorable, which one would it be?

Wagner: "I would have to say Miles City my sophomore year. It was really awesome. There was a bunch of upperclassmen on that team and I was still working my way up. I was actually the No. 1 hitter and I was able to hit it out and I remember the coaches and fellow players going crazy, it was a great feeling."

HDN: What is going to be the key for you guys to have some success at the state tournament this week?

Wagner: "I think we played with a lot more confidence both offensively and defensively at divisionals. We should have beat Lewistown, we left 11 runners on base. So it shows what we are capable of and as long as we keep up the hard work and trust in each other, I think we are going to do great things."

HDN: What has been your favorite part of playing Blue Pony softball these past four years?

Wagner: "I would have to say the bus trips. In softball, we kind of all get along and the coaches let us have fun. We have a lot of good times at the hotels and playing out in the warm weather. I have made a lot of good friends and I think that's what I have enjoyed most about it."

HDN: You have been playing for the Blue Ponies so long, what's it like to think this weekend will be your last playing sports for Havre High?

Wagner: "I am pretty proud to be a Blue Pony, I was nervous going into divisionals cause we were up and down, so for us to come together and for the younger kids to step for us seniors and help us get to state our last year is just an extra benefit. But, it has been just awesome."