Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Josh Warp, Havre High Golf

Havre High sophomore Josh Warp loves basketball. And he's been working toward being a Blue Pony basketball player for a long, long time. He grow up watching older brothers Dane and Isaac play for the Ponies, and now it's his turn.

But, that doesn't mean the youngest Warp doesn't have other sports in his life. No, sandwiched in between basketball season, Warp stands out on the golf course in the fall and tennis court in the spring.

Unlike basketball, Warp didn't take up golf and tennis until much later in his sports career, but, he's already excelling at both. Last spring, Warp not only made the HHS varsity tennis team in his first season, but, he came within one win of qualifying for the Class A state tournament in the process.

On the golf course, Warp also made varsity his first season out. And right now, in his second year of Blue Pony golf, that's where his focus is as he prepares for the Central A Divisional, which will be held on his home course. And, the Ponies aren't just hosting divisionals at Prairie Farms Golf Course, Friday, they get to do it on homecoming weekend.

"I'm glad it's at Prairie Farms," Warp said. "It's going to be really good for us to get to play divisionals on our home course. It's the course we play almost every day. So that's an advantage the other teams don't have."

Warp and the Havre High boys are in the hunt for a divisional championship this fall, and individually, Warp is gunning for a berth at the state tournament, something he came very close to doing as a freshman.

And that's a big goal for Warp, who says his career-best round is an 84 for 18 holes and a 39 for nine holes. He says he's hoping to shoot something in the mid-80s on Friday when Havre battles Lewistown, Belgrade and Livingston for the divisional championship. But, before Warp hits the links for the Central A, the Havre Daily News caught up with the three-sport HHS standout for five fun questions.

HDN: How did you get into golf?

Warp: "The middle school golf coach came to talk to us when I was younger, and not a lot of kids were there, so I said I would try it. Right away, I thought it was pretty fun, and I didn't do too bad. And so, I've been playing it ever since."

HDN: You made varsity as a freshman. How was that?

Warp: "It was a challenge, playing against the better kids from the other schools right away, I learned a lot that first year. I had to learn not to do things like worry about if I was hitting it as far as them, or not over swinging and stuff like that. So I think playing varsity my first year out, it was hard sometimes, but it also helped me out a lot."

HDN: What's the most reliable club in your bag?

Warp: "My 6-iron. I hit a 5-wood a lot too, but sometimes that's not working for me, so I can also go to my 6-iron when I need a good second shot."

HDN: I know you love all sports, and you're playing three of them in high school? Do you have a favorite pro in each?

Warp: Damien Lillard is definitely my favorite in basketball. I really like Jason Day (golf). I like watching him hit it. And Roger Federer (tennis).

HDN: What are your goals for divisionals and the rest of the season?

Warp: "Qualify for state, and win the boys team title at divisonals. For scores, I want to shoot in the mid-80s for the rest of the season."