Ponies hope for a gold rush in Kalispell

For every high school tennis player, one of their biggest dreams is to make it to the state tournament. Once they're there, however, the dream changes.

That will be the case for the six Havre Blue Ponies heading to this week's Class A state tournament. The annual state meet runs Thursday and Friday in Kalispell. And once there, the Blue Ponies will start dreaming of medals and trophies.

And when it comes to trophies, the Havre High boys have been pretty adept at bringing them home from the state tournament. Under head coach George Ferguson, the Ponies have netted 12 state trophies in the last 14 seasons, including three in the last three years. And the team of Jake Sedahl, Nate Korb, Trey Murphy, Kennedy McKay and Trey Hanson, is hoping to do it again.

"Getting a trophy is always one of our goals," Ferguson said. "But how you attain that trophy starts with individual goals, so we always approach the state tournament not worrying about the whole team points thing. We want our kids to focus on just themselves, focus on one match at a time, and focus on playing their best. If they do that, the team points will add up anyway.

"And we feel like we've got five kids, who have a great chance to rack up the points this weekend," Ferguson added. "The boys going to Kalispell, they're all playing at a high level, they're all playing the best tennis of their lives, at the right time. So, we have a great chance to be very successful this weekend."

Havre's success starts with its two strong doubles teams. Seniors Sedahl and Korb won the Central A title last weekend, giving Sedahl his third straight trip to the state tournament. A year ago, he placed fifth with teammate Jerod Boles. Korb reached the state tourney as a sophomore, and the duo has been lights out this season, compiling a 30-3 overall record. That record and their experience make them one of the favorites this week in Kalispell, too.

"Jake and Nate have been so good together, right from day one," Ferguson said. "Things have come full circle for them because they played together as freshmen. But what's really been inspiring is how much they've improved, not just over their careers, but over the course of this season. It's been so much fun to watch. They've been leaders and role models for the rest of our team. And they are an outstanding doubles team, and one that has a chance to do special things this weekend."

Havre's No. 2 duo of juniors Murphy and Kennedy could be right alongside them, too. The tandem, which has been playing together since freshman season, are fresh off a second-place finish in the Central A and are riding high coming into their first state tournament. They bring a 28-5 record to Kalispell, and Ferguson said, the tandem could be one of the most dangerous teams in the draw.

"I would not want to play Trey and Kennedy right now," Ferguson said. "It might be their first state tournament, but they're not a young team. They're a very polished, very veteran team, and one that has really put together a great season. Because of what they've already accomplished this year and because of how good they are, I feel like they give us depth in the doubles draw we haven't had in a long time. They're going to do very well this weekend."

Another first-time qualifier is senior Trey Hanson. Already going to Morningside College to play tennis next fall, Hanson, as Havre's No. 2 singles player, barreled his way into the state tourney with a great run last Friday in Bozeman. Being the fourth-place finisher in the Central A gives Hanson a tough draw in a loaded singles bracket, but Ferguson said, the way the senior is playing right now he, too, is a dangerous opponent for anyone in his way.

"Trey wasn't even sure if he wanted to try tennis when he was a freshman," Ferguson said. "Now, he's going to state, and he's playing as well as he's ever played. I'm really happy for him. This was a big goal of his, and with how difficult our singles draw was at divisionals, just getting here was a huge accomplishment for him. But now that he's here, he wants to win. He wants to keep his season going, and the way he's playing, he has a great chance to do that.

"And I think our whole boys team has a great chance to do special things this weekend," Ferguson continued. "They've had a great season, the guys that are going to state, and the guys who aren't. Our boys have been really good this year. And I think these five guys, they're going to keep that rolling in Kalispell. I know they'll be up to the challenge, and I know they'll play great tennis."

As for where Havre might fall in the team competition, Ferguson said, it's wide open. His Ponies, Dillon, Billings Central and Hardin bring the most depth to state, while Glendive's two singles players could rack up big points.

"It's anybody's guess this year," Ferguson said. "There isn't really a full and deep team that's going to blow the field away like Billings Central has done the last few years. The points may be a lot more spread it. I just know we're bringing five guys that can win tennis matches. We're bringing five guys who love to compete and are good tennis players. So I know, we'll once again be in the mix. That's for sure."

On the girls side, Havre probably won't be in the team title hunt, as only junior Paige Nelson qualified. However, Nelson got on a roll, finishing second last week in Bozeman, and Ferguson said, her second state tournament appearance, could me much different than her first.

"Paige played such great tennis at divisionals," Ferguson said. "She went through a rough stretch this season, and it was tough because she knows, and we all know, how good she really is. But things really clicked for her last week, and she took her game to a new level, one she knew she was capable of going to.

"So she's going into Kalispell with a renewed confidence," he added. "She's going down there to win tennis matches and compete for a medal. That might not have been realistic last year, but it is now. Paige is one of the top players in Class A, and she wants to show that this weekend. I'm really proud of the way she's kept her head up this season. Paige works really hard at this, and it's exciting to see it really paying off at the right time."

And Ferguson is hoping all the hard work pays off for all of his Blue Ponies in Kalispell. The state tournament, which starts Thursday morning and runs through Friday afternoon, will be held at the Flathead Valley Community College Tennis Center.

"I'm really excited," Ferguson said. "This has been an awesome season. This entire group has been so much fun to coach. All of them, all 42 kids, it's just been an absolute blast. And for these six going to state, it's the culmination of everything they've worked for. It's all about them just believing in themselves and trying their absolute best for two days. I know they'll all do that, and, no matter how things shake out, we'll be very successful this weekend. I'm just really excited to get down there and watch our Blue ponies do what they do."