State Wrestling 2017: New faces, same powerful Ponies

Going into this weekend's Class A state tournament in Billings, most experts, fans and even coaches from other schools probably feel that Havre High's fifth straight state championship is a foregone conclusion. That's what happens when you've been as dominant as the Blue Ponies have over the last 10-plus years.

In fact, just look at all the records Havre has already set. With a team title this weekend, the Ponies will have 13, which will put them second all time to Butte High's 17. A fifth straight title would also tie HHS for the third-longest winning streak in Montana at the state tournament, though the Ponies have some chasing to do as Butte High won 13 straight from 1980-1992. The Ponies also own the top three points totals in Class A history in 15 weight classes, including the record they set in 2009 when they scored 294.5 points. With 13 weight classes, Havre scored an incredible 297 points in 2015.

And those are just some of the remarkable feats the HHS wrestling team has already accomplished. And while the Ponies are the heavy favorites this weekend, they won't take anything for granted, especially when Havre is taking eight of its 14 grapplers to state for the first time. Havre also brings back three returning state champs, and six wrestlers who scored points on last year's title team. So, while the Ponies have dominated the competition all year long, and are set to make history yet again, this is certainly a new-look Havre High state team.

Here's a glance at each Havre wrestler's upcoming state tournament.

103 - Quinn Reno, 31-5

In his first season, Reno has been spectacular, winning an Eastern A title, and setting himself up for a run at a state championship as a freshman. As usual, there are no returning state champs in the weight class that is usually freshman heavy. And Reno is certainly a favorite. However, Frenchtown's Walker Dyer is unbeaten on the season, and he, and fellow HHS frosh Cameron Pleninger will probably be Reno's biggest challengers. Reno begins his first state tourney with Columbia Falls' Garhet Salminen.

103 – Cameron Pleninger, 26-5

A year ago, Havre won a state title without a 103-pounder. Now, the Ponies have two stalwarts there. Pleninger has been the backup most of the season at 103, but in this tournament, he's anything but a backup. His goal is certainly to face teammate Quinn Reno in the final, just like they did a week ago in Glendive. And Frenchtown's Walker Dyer might be the only one to stand in the way of that happening. They would meet in the semifinals. Pleninger starts his state tourney against Corvallis' Will Flowers.

113 – Ryan Stewart, 31-7

Stewart is coming off a sixth-place finish at 113 a year ago. Now however, he comes in as one of the favorites. Stewart has had a big junior season, and while he fell to Laurel's Matt DeWitt in the Eastern A championship, there's no reason to think Stewart doesn't have a great shot at making it to finals night. DeWitt is on the opposite side of the bracket, as is Hamilton standout Mike Golden and Polson's Mateo Quinones. So Stewart's first big test should come in the semis where he will likely see Frenchtown's Jake Bibler, who is unbeaten this season. Stewart starts his state tourney against Dillon's Luke Huffaker.

113 – Marc Ramirez, 23-11

One of Havre's big group of first-timers at state, Ramirez is hoping to score big bonus points for the Ponies. He finished third at the Eastern A, but his bracket in Billings is tough with DeWitt and Golden in his half. He also opens with Frenchtown backup Kelson Bauman in the first round, and that match won't be easy either. Still, Ramirez should find his way to plenty of points this weekend, and possibly even a spot on the podium.

120 – Lane Paulson, 33-12

Paulson has grown by leaps and bounds this season. Not only physically, but in his wrestling, too. He's been one of the top-ranked 120-pounders all season long, and while he dropped a heartbreaker to Belgrade's John Mears last week in Glendive, Paulson has aspirations of getting to final's night. His road will be tough with Dillon's Dante Venema on his half of the draw, while Mears and Columbia Falls' Winfield West are the big guns on the other side. But there's no doubt, Paulson has an excellent chance to get to, and even win the final, only adding to Havre's immense firepower this weekend. Paulson starts his state tourney against Frenchtown's Auston Stevens.

126 – Martin Wilkie, 39-1

After winning the 120-pound state title as a freshman, Wilkie is now on his four-time quest officially. His sophomore campaign has been nothing short of dominant, with only a loss at the Tri-State Tournament on his resume. And in Billings this weekend, there are no real threats either, as Wilkie is simply the best 126-pounder in Montana, in any classification. As for potential challengers, only Butte Central's Clay Fisher and Hamilton's Bridger Williams stand out on the other half of the draw. Wilkie starts his quest for a second straight state title against Whitefish' Sidney Cooke.

132 – Connor Harris, 25-19

Harris mans Havre's 132-pound spot alone, and he could be one of the Ponies' real dark horses this weekend. The finals probably aren't in the cards as Harris will see defending state champion Travis Kinn of Glendive in the quarterfinals. Kinn and Lewistown's Caleb Birdwell are expected to meet in the finals of this bracket, a bracket that also includes unbeaten Riley Gurr of Frenchtown. However, after finishing third at the Eastern A, Harris could score plenty of bonus points for the Ponies, and he's certainly capable of a top-six finish. Harris faces Hamilton's Adrian Garcia in the first round.

145 – Parker Filius, 36-0

There isn't much to say about Filius' bracket. Simply put, Filius is probably the single best wrestler to step on the mat in the Metra this weekend, and that's at any weight and in any class. He's unbeaten on the season, and outside of a couple of finals in Idaho and Missoula, he hasn't even been pushed. Of course, Filius won't take a single match for granted, especially when he's gunning for not only a perfect season, but also to join the four-time state champion list. So he'll see potential threats in unbeaten Ben Windauer of Columbia Falls and Dillon's Drew Schmitt. But, the bottom line is, Filius is the man, and that won't change this weekend. He begins his quest for four against Polson's Caleb Unger.

152 – Mason Dionne, 27-18

Another first-timer for the Ponies, Dionne should make a push for the podium this weekend. He's a big, strong talent with length which makes him hard to wrestle. His bracket does include defending state champ Brent Tezak of Dillon, as well as standout Mason Fetters of Columbia Falls, who he would see in the second round. But Dionne certainly has the firepower to make a lot of noise this weekend, and set the tone for a bright future in the Metra. Dionne opens the state tourney against Stevensville's Isaak Maxfield.

160 – Dane Flammond, 35-6

If any Blue Pony is going to feel some pressure this weekend, it's Flammond. But that's also OK with him. Flammond has suffered heartache in the semifinals the last two seasons, and now, as a senior, he has one last shot at an elusive state championship. Flammond is coming off a divisional title, and the opponent he beat, Glendive's Tyler Clapp, may be his biggest challenger, though Polson's Hunter Fritsch is the top seed from the West and is undefeated. Flammond wouldn't see either of those two until the finals, a spot he should get to pretty easily, especially considering he has a bye in the first round. And while it won't come easy overall, Flammond has likely saved his best for last, and no one should be surprised if he's standing at the top of the podium Saturday night.

170 – Taylor Gopher, 7-10

Another youngster making his first trip to state, Gopher is probably a long shot this weekend. But he does wrestle for the Ponies and that means he'll wrestle well. The bracket is tough however, with two state champs in Dillon's Patrick Griffin and Stevensville's Ben Crews, as well as Eastern A champ Wyatt Blythe. So this weekend will be a good experience for Gopher, and he certainly can't be overlooked in the wrestlebacks either. Gopher opens against Griffin, who won the 160-pound title last year.

182 – Tyler Schaub, 3-4

Schaub suffered a knee injury during football season, and while he tried to give it a go the last two weeks, it just didn't work out. So while he did qualify for state, he won't be in the field this week. He won the 205-pound title a year ago, and his plan now his to come back strong for his senior season.

205 – Jase Stokes, 34-1

Havre has two wrestlers attempting to make history this weekend in Billings. Stokes is one of them. In his previous three state championships, he's won every match but one by pinfall. This season, with just one loss on his resume, Stokes has been incredibly dominant, while moving up in weight. He was even undefeated in four heavyweight matches. So don't be surprised if he makes his fourth state title look like a breeze, too. Still, there are challengers, including Whitefish star Travis Catina and Hamilton's Justin Hinson. But at the end of the day, Stokes towers above all, and on Saturday night, there's no reason to think it won't be a very historic night for him, and the Blue Ponies. Stokes begins his quest for four against Hamilton's Bailey Hayes.

205 – Austin Ratliff, 15-14

Ratliff is making his first appearance at state, and being in Stokes' bracket means he won't have a chance at a state championship. But, he could definitely reach the podium this weekend. If he gets past Stevi's Jordan Thomas in the first round, he'll have to face Stokes in the quarters, but after that, Ratliff should be on track to place.

285 – Jared Sienkowski, 24-20

Havre has had a lot of success at heavyweight in the state tournament. And Sienkowski is hoping to carry on that tradition. It's his first trip to state, but he's had a strong senior season, and his bracket is really wide open. Corvallis' Garret Hunt is probably the favorite, but there are a handful of wrestlers in this bracket who could contend and Sienkowski is certainly one of them. He'll open against Hamilton's Kyle Anderson.