Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Ammon Lines, Havre High Swimming

The Havre High swimming teams may not be competing this weekend, but that doesn't mean they are taking it easy. In fact, with the state meet on the horizon, they are preparing with their season-ending meet in mind.

That meet of course, is the Montana State Swimming Championships, which will will be held in Great Falls Feb. 9-10 and one of the Blue Ponies who will be in attendance is junior Ammon Lines, who will be swimming at state for the second time in his career.

"Last season, I didn't work as hard as I should have and I didn't get to go," Lines said. "But this year, I tried to work harder and was able to shave down my times and I made it. It's been a good year and the friendships I've made have been a lot stronger."

Lines, who competes in a multitude of different events, said he was going to compete in one of the relay events at state and that the team was focused on prepping.

"We work really hard all year long and go as hard as we can," Lines said. "But during these last two weeks, we kind of taper down and try to rest our muscles a little bit before state, so we are in the process of doing that now."

Lines is in the midst of his third year of swimming, but also participates in a number of other extra-curricular activities. He competes in cross country for the Blue Ponies and is also a member of the choir, band and drama, acting in plays. He had a major roll in Havre High's production of Disney's "Tarzan" this past fall.

Lines, who moved to Havre from Yuma, Arizona, back in 2015, said he has had a great experience on the Havre swim team, highlighted by getting the chance to swim with his brother Ethan Lines the past two seasons.

Lines said it's been different without his brother on the team, but after re-dedicating himself, he has turned in a productive season for the Ponies. Lines has helped the relay teams find success and place in multiple meets this season, while also placing in the individual medley, such as the third-place finish he had back in December at the Havre Invitational. He also competes regularly in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

But after swimming in Missoula Jan. 20 and in Great Falls last weekend, Lines and the Ponies have just one thing on their minds: the meet. The Havre Daily News caught up with Lines this week for five questions.

HDN: What has been your favorite part of swimming at Havre High?

Lines: "I enjoy the sense of family, especially swimming with my brother the last two years and now even doing it by myself, I still enjoy the sense of companionship and working with each other."

HDN: What was it like to swim with your brother?

Lines: "It was awesome. We had done everything together and then doing swimming together helped kick it off really great before he took off."

HDN: "How do you feel that the boys team has done this year?

Lines: "We haven't been placing too highly at times this season, but we have a great group of guys and a great group of swimmers, so even if we don't place, we will still have a blast like we have been."

HDN: You got to swim at state as a freshman, how will that experience help you this season?

Lines: "I think it will definitely make me stronger. I have a year left here and it will help me get that determination for my senior year and I can help some of the younger guys that come up to achieve their best as well."

HDN: What is it like to compete at state?

Lines: "The people that are there, it's a little more nerve-racking and a little more regulation. But when you get there, you have a sense that it's the end and that it's go time."