Taking over the Room

For the past two decades, the Havre High wrestling team enjoyed an unprecedented amount of success under the direction of former head coach Scott Filius. Now, the Blue Ponies will look to continue that under new head coach Beau LaSalle.

Over the past few seasons, LaSalle has been a key part of the Havre program as an assistant coach. But after Filius decided to retire, the path was cleared for LaSalle to take the helm, which he will do next season.

"It means a lot," LaSalle said of being named the head coach. "To give back to a community that I have been part of and has given me a lot. It's nice to be home and to be a Blue Pony and all of that. Havre is pretty enthusiastic about athletics in terms of support and that's fun."

In terms of experience, both as a wrestler and coach, few are more qualified than LaSalle, who has been part of five state championship teams teams as an assistant coach, as well as being a state champion wrestler for Havre High.

From 2004 to 2007, LaSalle reached the podium four times at the All-Class state wrestling tournament and in 2007, his senior season, he broke through and won an individual state championship. He had finished fourth as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and third as a junior. He also helped the Ponies win the team championship that season, their first at the time since 2001.

In addition to being a state champion wrestler, LaSalle was also an All-State football player for Havre and helped HHS win a Central A conference championship back in 2006.

Following his high school career, LaSalle got a scholarship to wrestle at Montana State University-Northern, under current Lights head coach Tyson Thivierge. LaSalle twice qualified for the NAIA national tournament as a collegiate wrestler.

Of course, no matter how qualified LaSalle is, the difficult thing will be taking over for Filius, one of the most decorated high school coaches in the history of the Montana High School Association. With his 12 state championships, Filius is tied with the legendary Jug Beck. He also coached Havre to 19 top-3 finishes and saw 58 individuals win state championships under his guidance.

"Scott taught me a lot of things," LaSalle said. "He taught me how to communicate with the kids and just the in's and out's of the everyday stuff that a lot of people don't see. I saw a lot of things that he doesn't get a lot of credit for, and a lot of things that he does outside of the wrestling room that people don't know about. I think learning all of those extra, little things that it takes to be a successful program has been huge."

Another thing that LaSalle learned from Filius was how to make things fun. Fun was a key part of the program under Filius. He had a special ability to get his wrestlers to work extremely hard, but to also have fun doing it and that's something LaSalle said he hopes to continue.

"His ability to have fun with what you are doing," LaSalle said. "If you aren't having fun, then you shouldn't be doing it. That translates to our kids a lot. Obviously, the hard work is very important, but you have to enjoy it, too, and have fun with the sport. It's a grueling sport and if you aren't having fun then it's just miserable. He had the ability to make it fun, while winning."

While Filius has retired as head coach of the Ponies, LaSalle said he doesn't expect him to go away completely and that he will continue to seek out advice from his mentor, whenever possible.

"He will poke his head in and will still be around," LaSalle said. "And I will still be ringing his phone to get some advice. I don't think he is going to completely walk away from the program. It would be hard to walk away from something that you have built, and he will still be just a couple doors down. I don't think he will be a stranger and that's an asset that I plan on taking full advantage of."

As far as his vision for the program is concerned, LaSalle said he wants to keep building on what's already been established. Havre didn't win the Class A state championship this past season, finishing second. However, with three-time state champion Martin Wilkie back, plus a bunch of young talent coming up through the program, the future is bright for the Blue Ponies.

"If it's not broke, then don't fix it," LaSalle said. "I think that's one of the most exciting parts about this job, besides the wrestling, is trying just to keep the ball rolling. We have a good club that helps out and a good middle school program that feeds into the high school. The community of Havre is big into wrestling, so that's exciting, too. Obviously, there is some scrutiny and things if you don't perform, but I am excited for the challenge."