Ponies are now beasts of the Northwest

The Havre High wrestling team is used to achieving monumental things and this past weekend, it did so again, capturing the prestigious team title at the Tri-State wrestling tournament.

Held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the Tri-State features some of the best teams from Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming and Montana. And when the tournament concluded Saturday, it was Havre that stood tall, taking the team crown with 184 points, narrowly defeating Post Falls, Idaho, which finished with 182.5.

"It's one that we have never had," HHS head coach Scott Filius said. "It was kind of the cherry on top."

After the first day, thanks to five semifinalists, the Ponies were in second place, trailing Post Falls 130.5 to 108. But with three wrestlers advancing to the finals in Parker Filius, Jase Stokes and Ryan Stewart, the Ponies put themselves in a position to complete the comeback.

Yet, in the championship round, Havre found itself down by 10.5 points. And after a loss by Stewart, who finished second at 113 pounds, the only way the Ponies could prevail was with wins from both Filius and Stokes. But even two victories wouldn't be enough, both had to win by fall.

But as only Stokes and Filius can, they each delivered in the clutch. First, Filius won the 145-pound title with a pin of his opponent in 1:05. Then, in the 220-pound final, Stokes followed suit, pinning his challenger in 2:22 to earn the individual crown and clinch the team title for HHS.

"Those two I expect a lot out of and they have delivered a lot," coach Filius said. "But it certainly was clutch for them to do what they did in that atmosphere. But you also had a whole group of kids that put them in a position to do that. And I had a whole bunch of young kids that contributed and it was a whole lot of fun to see those kids grow."

Stokes and Filius, who are both three-time state champions, each earned their first individual titles in three attempts at the Tri-State and they both did so in style, winning all of their matches by either technical fall or pin.

"We have gone there and tried to do it in the past and just didn't get it done," coach Filius said. "I expect a lot of out those kids and they expect a lot out of themselves, and they pinned or tech falled everybody in the tournament. They were really wrestling at a level above the competition and you try to not take those guys for granted, they are so consistent."

But as Filius said, the team title took a lot more scoring than just two wrestlers could provide, as many others put forward outstanding performances, starting with Stewart.

"This summer, Ryan (Stewart) put a bunch of time in," Filius said. "He went to about a two-and-a-half weeks of training at a camp and a national tournament and he has really matured a lot and come into his own."

Martin Wilkie rebounded from a semifinal loss and won two matches to take third at 126 pounds, while at 160 pounds, Dane Flammond, the other Havre semifinalist, took fourth.

Freshmen Cameron Pleninger and Quin Reno also had great weekends. Pleninger, who lost in the second round Friday, won four of his five final matches to take fifth at 98 pounds. Reno also took seventh at 106 pounds.

Outside of those who placed, Havre also got points from Marc Ramirez (113), Lane Paulson (120), Connor Harris (132), Mason Dionne (152), Walter White (182) and Jared Sienkowski (HWT). In all, the Ponies had 13 different wrestlers who won at least one match.

And in a team competition where every single point ended up being important, each one of those wins proved to be crucial in the end.

"We had lots of young kids that didn't place but scored points, and that was big," Filius said. "It was an eye-opener for those kids and you can't raise your ceiling until you see how far you can take it, so it was a big growth experience for those guys."

As far as the grand scheme of things, while it's hard to compare winning the Tri-State tournament to a state championship, in terms of difficulty, Filius said the latter is much harder to achieve.

"I think it's tougher than state," Filius said. "It's certainly a lot tougher to get than a state title and I think Montana has had two teams win it, us and Flathead (Kalispell), so it's a special deal."

Havre will be back on the mats Tuesday as the Ponies renew their rivalry with CMR. The two teams will dual inside the HHS Gymnasium. Matches get underway at 6 p.m.

Tri-State Tournament

TEAM SCORES - 1, Havre (Mont.) 184. 2, Post Falls 182.5. 3, Mead 152. 4, Lakeland 149.5. 5, Orting 142.5. 6, Tahoma 140.5. 7, Moses Lake 134. 8 (tie), Hermiston, Lake Stevens 116. 10, Kelso 114. 11, White River 106. 12, Colville 99.5. 13, Central Valley 98.5. 14, North Central 95. 15 (tie), Coeur d'Alene, Polson 76. 17, East Valley 75. 18, University 74. 19, Frenchtown 71.5. 20, Capital 67. 21, Othello 65. 22, Lakeside (Wash.) 64.5. 23, Battle Ground 64. 24, Mt. Spokane 61. 25, Deer Park 60. 26, Moscow 54. 27, Enumclaw 50.5. 28, Lewiston 48. 29, Reardan 47. 30, Kellogg 45.5. 31, Sentinel 45. 32, Freeman 38. 33, Ferris 35.5. 34, Castle Rock 34. 35, Jenkins (Chewelah) 33. 36, Lake City 32.5. 37 (tie), Kentridge, Pullman 27. 39, Sandpoint 23. 40, Riverside 22. 41 (tie), Juanita, Tonasket 21. 43 (tie), Darrington, Royal 18. 45, Libby 15. 46, Meadowdale 14.5. 47 (tie), Vashon Island, Inglemoor 12. 49, Mary Walker 9. 50, Priest River 8. 51, Quincy 7. 52, Whitefish 6. 53, Northwest Christian 5. 54 (tie), Bethel, Chiawana, Gonzaga Prep, Graham-Kapowsin, Kamiakin, Kent-Meridian, Walla Walla 0.

98 - Cameron Pleninger (5th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by fall over Jason Franklin (University) 5-3 (Fall 1:03); Champ. Round 2 - Sam Edelblute (Lakeland High School) 5-2 won by tech fall over Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 (TF-1.5 3:57 (17-1); Cons. Round 2 - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by fall over Skyler Foreman (Hermiston) 2-3 (Fall 3:54); Cons. Round 3 - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by fall over Jake Carman (Vashon Island) 2-4 (Fall 0:47); Cons. Round 4 - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by decision over Nate Belcourt (Enumclaw) 7-4 (Dec 8-2); Cons. Round 5 - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by major decision over Alan Luff (Kelso) 10-3 (MD 12-2); Cons. Semi - Alex Edelblute (Lakeland High School) 8-2 won by decision over Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 (Dec 9-2); 5th Place Match - Cameron Pleninger (Havre) 15-5 won by fall over Riley Burgess (Moses Lake) 9-4 (Fall 0:00).

106 - Quin Reno (7th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 won by major decision over Mateo Quinones (Polson) 4-2 (MD 12-2); Quarterfinal - Ethan Smith (East Valley) 9-4 won by decision over Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 (Dec 7-4); Cons. Round 4 - Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 won by major decision over Daniel (brett) Joner (Battle Ground) 9-2 (MD 11-2;  Cons. Round 5 - Mateo Quinones (Polson) 4-2 won by decision over Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 (Dec 3-1); 7th Place Match - Quin Reno (Havre) 17-4 won by decision over Buddy Doolin (Libby) 13-5 (Dec 3-1).

113 - Ryan Stewart (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Ryan Stewart (Havre) 18-2 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Ryan Stewart (Havre) 18-2 won by fall over Gage Shipley (Hermiston) 6-4 (Fall 1:26); Quarterfinal - Ryan Stewart (Havre) 18-2 won by major decision over Dawson Bretz (Tonasket) 9-2 (MD 11-3); Semifinal - Ryan Stewart (Havre) 18-2 won by decision over Jordan Grimm (Post Falls) 12-5 (Dec 7-3); 1st Place Match - Gabe Hawthorne (White River) 5-0 won by decision over Ryan Stewart (Havre) 18-2 (Dec 10-3).

113 - Marc Ramirez

Champ. Round 1 - Marc Ramirez (Havre) 14-8 won by fall over Cole Roman (Riverside) 4-4 (Fall 1:40); Champ. Round 2 - William Edelblute (Lakeland High School) 5-1 won by major decision over Marc Ramirez (Havre) 14-8 (MD 12-0);  Cons. Round 2 - Marc Ramirez (Havre) 14-8 won by fall over Kyron Ray (Colville) 4-7 (Fall 3:55); Cons. Round 3 - Hunter Nees (Freeman) 16-3 won by decision over Marc Ramirez (Havre) 14-8 (Dec 3-1).

120 - Lane Paulson

Champ. Round 1 - Lane Paulson (Havre) 14-7 won by decision over Brennon (noah) Mcdermott (East Valley) 3-4 (Dec 6-3); Champ. Round 2 - Bryce Miller (Kelso) 14-1 won by fall over Lane Paulson (Havre) 14-7 (Fall 3:01); Cons. Round 2 - Sam Reese (Coeur d`Alene High School) 9-7 won by fall over Lane Paulson (Havre) 14-7 (Fall 0:41).

126 - Martin Wilkie (3rd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 won by major decision over Brock Fickle (Mead) 10-5 (MD 13-2); Champ. Round 3 - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 won by fall over Reece Eckley (Sentinel) 3-2 (Fall 2:28); Quarterfinal - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 won by decision over Trent Baun (Colville) 11-2 (Dec 11-9); Semifinal - Alex Cruz (Orting) 8-3 won by major decision over Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 (MD 11-2); Cons. Semi - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 won by decision over Matt Mcleod (Post Falls) 10-6 (Dec 4-1); 3rd Place Match - Martin Wilkie (Havre) 20-1 won by major decision over Trevor Morrison (Colville) 10-5 (MD 13-5).

132 - Connor Harris (13-8)    

Champ. Round 1 - Connor Harris (Havre) 13-8 won by fall over Nick Annanie (Lakeside) 0-2 (Fall 0:31); Champ. Round 2 - Jake Howerton (Mt. Spokane) 8-2 won by fall over Connor Harris (Havre) 13-8 (Fall 0:53); Cons. Round 2 - Connor Harris (Havre) 13-8 won by fall over Christian Monzingo (Riverside) 5-5 (Fall 2:57); Cons. Round 3 - Yunadi Bogatyrev (Mead) 6-3 won by decision over Connor Harris (Havre) 13-8 (Dec 10-4).

145 - Parker Filius (Champion)

Champ. Round 1 - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 won by fall over Zack Finkbeiner (Kentridge) 10-5 (Fall 1:31); Champ. Round 3 - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 won by fall over Dustin Santora (University) 7-4 (Fall 1:10); Quarterfinal - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 won by tech fall over Tanner Figueroa (Kellogg) 10-2 (TF-1.5 3:44 (15-0)); Semifinal - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 won by fall over CJ Hendon (Hermiston) 9-3 (Fall 3:20); 1st Place Match - Parker Filius (Havre) 18-0 won by fall over Nate Moore (White River) 4-1 (Fall 1:05).

152 - Mason Dionne

Champ. Round 1 - Max Walker (Mt. Spokane) 6-5 won by fall over Mason Dionne (Havre) 11-9 (Fall 4:07;  Cons. Round 1 - Mason Dionne (Havre) 11-9 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Mason Dionne (Havre) 11-9 won by decision over Phillip Mcelliott (Ferris) 11-6 (Dec 6-5); Cons. Round 3 - Daniel Bonilla (Royal) 4-4 won by decision over Mason Dionne (Havre) 11-9 (Dec 3-0).

160 - Dane Flammond (4th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 won by fall over Christian Brandt (Lakeland High School) 0-3 (Fall 3:16); Champ. Round 2 - Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 won by tech fall over Jason Gillingham (East Valley) 5-6 (TF-1.5 5:25 (16-0); Quarterfinal - Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 won by decision over John Knight (Colville) 10-3 (Dec 12-5); Semifinal - Ben Gore (Orting) 5-3 won by major decision over Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 (MD 13-1); Cons. Semi - Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 won by decision over John Stuart (Kelso) 12-4 (Dec 3-0); 3rd Place Match - Bryan Wais (North Central) 9-2 won by decision over Dane Flammond (Havre) 18-4 (Dec 3-1).

170 - Taylor Gopher

Champ. Round 1 - Taylor Gopher (Havre) 6-11 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Gage Burtenshaw (Darrington) 5-2 won by fall over Taylor Gopher (Havre) 6-11 (Fall 1:22); Cons. Round 2 - Taylor Gopher (Havre) 6-11 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 3 - Julio Leiva (Hermiston) 8-3 won by fall over Taylor Gopher (Havre) 6-11 (Fall 2:27).

170 - JR Caplette

Champ. Round 1 - JR Caplette (Havre) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Victor Tafoya (Quincy) 3-4 won by decision over JR Caplette (Havre) 4-3 (Dec 6-5). Round 2 - JR Caplette (Havre) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 3 - Akio Yamada (Lakeside) 7-4 won by fall over JR Caplette (Havre) 4-3 (Fall 1:58).

182 - Walter White

Champ. Round 1 - Walter White (Havre) 14-5 won by fall over Bailey Sanchez (Moses Lake) 1-2 (Fall 4:34); Champ. Round 2 - Andrew Olvera (Lake City High School) 11-6 won by fall over Walter White (Havre) 14-5 (Fall 4:51); Cons. Round 2 - Zach Strauss (Ferris) 8-6 won by fall over Walter White (Havre) 14-5 (Fall 2:45).

220 - Jase Stokes (Champion)    

Champ. Round 1 - Jase Stokes (Havre) 17-1 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Jase Stokes (Havre) 17-1 won by fall over Manny Homen (Ferris) 10-5 (Fall 0:50); Quarterfinal - Jase Stokes (Havre) 17-1 won by fall over Collin Grosse (Mead) 6-2 (Fall 1:14): Semifinal - Jase Stokes (Havre) 17-1 won by fall over Brad Noesen (Post Falls) 9-6 (Fall 4:46); 1st Place Match - Jase Stokes (Havre) 17-1 won by fall over Dagen Kramer (Tahoma) 13-1 (Fall 2:22).

285 - Jared Sienkowski

Champ. Round 1 - Jared Sienkowski (Havre) 9-10 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - Houston Bartlett (Kellogg) 7-5 won by major decision over Jared Sienkowski (Havre) 9-10 (MD 11-1); Cons. Round 2 - Jared Sienkowski (Havre) 9-10 won by fall over Carson Evans (Moses Lake) 8-5 (Fall 1:50); Cons. Round 3 - Gabe Sanchez (Deer Park) 10-4 won by fall over Jared Sienkowski (Havre) 9-10 (Fall 1:37).