2019 State Wrestling: Havre High Bracket Breakdown

Every Class A state wrestling tournament is different. The past is the past, and each year inside the Metra, it's all about the present.

Each new state tournament also holds its own surprises, its own dramatic matches, and its own excitement.

And the 2019 Class A state tournament should be no different. But, for the Havre Blue Ponies, two things haven't changed ahead of this weekend's state tourney. First, Martin Wilkie is still the best wrestler in Class A, as he is on the verge of becoming the Blue Ponies' third four-time state champion. And, secondly, the Ponies, while still powerful, are obvious underdogs to Sidney in the team title race.

Something new for Havre this weekend is, not only are the Ponies going to state without retired head coach Scott Filius for the first time in 24 years, but, they're also going to Billings with perhaps their youngest team ever. Havre returns just five state placers from last year's squad, with Wilkie and Lane Paulson the only two seniors among that group. Head coach Beau LaSalle's team also qualified six freshman for the state tournament, and seven of Havre's 14 state qualifiers are first-time qualifiers.

As for the tournament itself, Sidney returns nine state placers from a year ago, and while the Eagles aren't a lock by any means, they are heavy favorites to repeat. Individually, just five returning state champions are in the field this weekend, but, overall, there are 41 returning state placers, and plenty of loaded brackets.

So, to get you ready for this weekend's state tournament, here's a breakdown of each Havre wrestler and their road through the next two days in the Metra.

103 - Mick Chagnon (31-4)

After placing at 103 as a freshman, Chagnon returns as the heavy favorite to win a state title in his sophomore season. He hasn't lost to a Class A opponent all season, and is ranked No. 1 coming into Billings. Chagnon's top threat in the tournament could just be HHS freshman Riley Pleninger, because second-ranked Landen Stewart of Frenchtown is on the same side as Chagnon. Butte Central's Noah Huffaker could also be tough, but the 103-pound state title will certainly go through Chagnon. He opens his state tournament against Hamilton's Logan Bratch.

103 - Riley Pleninger (21-12)

After making a run to last week's Eastern A championship match, Pleninger is set up to give the Ponies a ton of points at 103. In fact, the Pony freshman has a good shot at making it to the state title match, with the top two ranked 103-pounders, including Chagnon, on the other side of the bracket. Butte Central's Noah Huffaker is probably Pleninger's toughest challenge on his half of the draw, but, whatever obstacles are there, expect big things from Riley this weekend. Pleninger faces Hamilton's Andrew Carmody in the first round.

120 - Cameron Pleninger (37-9)

Experience is on the side of Pleninger, now a junior. He's wrestled in a final and a third-place bout in each of the last two seasons, and now he has an Eastern A title under his belt as well. However, Pleninger is also part of a star-studded weight class that includes Frenchtown's Jake Bibler and Libby's Buddy Doolin. Pleninger has a win over Doolin, and will likely see him again in the semifinals, while Bibler, at 48-1 this season, will likely be waiting for the winner in the finals Saturday night. Pleninger opens his state tournament against Polson's Kellan Norman.

126 - Kendall Pleninger (20-18)

Havre is doubled up at 126, and with two freshman in a weight class that will likely belong to Lewistown's Cooper Birdwell, who has yet to lose a match in two years of high school wrestling. Pleninger finished sixth at the Eastern A last week, and he is on Birdwell's half of the draw. But, don't be surprised to see he and teammate Dominic Perkins both make a run at the podium. Pleninger faces Butte Central's Luke Huffaker in the first round.

126 - Dominic Perkins (16-18)

Perkins is also making his first trip to state. He edged Pleninger in the Eastern A fifth-place match last weekend, and he's been coming on strong in the second half of the season. Of course, his draw will be tough with Corvallis' Dante Venema and Belgrade's Oden Currier in his section, but, Perkins and Pleninger are both poised to make some noise of their own this weekend. Perkins opens the tourney against Stevensville's Kellen Robbins.

132 - Randy Tommerup (11-17)

Another of Havre's bulk of freshman, Tommerup is in a loaded draw in his first state tournament. His bracket includes Hamilton star Michael Golden, as well as Sidney's Aden Graves and Miles City's Damien Leidholt. So, things will not be easy for Tommerup, but, he will gain valuable experience in his first trip to the Metra. Tommerup opens with Libby's Zach Morrison.

138 - Lane Paulson (24-4)

It's now or never for Paulson, the Havre High senior who is a three-time state placer, including finishing third at 132 a year ago. Paulson has done everything in his prep wrestling career but win an individual title, something he can change this weekend. To do it, he'll like have to beat Sidney's Christian Dean, who topped Paulson in the final at the Eastern A last week. But, to get to that showdown, Paulson will have to go through the likes of Laurel's Keagan Campbell and Whitefish' Dakota Flannery on his way to the final. Still, Dean and Paulson are the two favorites in this bracket, and the state title should be on the line when they see each other Saturday night. Paulson starts his state tourney against Aaron Springer of Stevi.

138 - Wyatt Hansen (12-15)

The Ponies are doubled up at 138, thanks Hansen's seventh-place finish in Miles City last weekend. The Pony freshman is in a tough draw with teammate Paulson and two Sidney stars, so, his first trip to the Metra will be a good learning experience for the HHS youngster. Hansen drew Libby's Jeff Offenbacher in the opening round.

145 - Martin Wilkie (42-0)

It's been a monster senior year for Wilkie. He signed with the University of Minnesota, won a title at the Tri-State and, last week, became the first four-time Eastern A (Super-Divisional) champion. Now, all that's left for Wilkie to do is become the 33rd four-time state champion in Montana history, which would also cap an undefeated season. No one in Class A has challenged Wilkie this year, but, if challengers need to be listed this weekend, it would be the Sidney duo of Zander Burnison and Dylan Lutz, as well as freshman teammate Orion Thivierge. But, after one of the most dominant regular seasons in Class A history, Wilkie is poised to finish his career off in a very perfect way. Wilkie opens his quest for four against Carlitos Bertelsen of Whitefish.

145 - Orion Thivierge (26-13)

Thivierge is in a great position this weekend, even with the fact that he's in Wilkie's weight class. He's on the opposite side of the draw from his Blue Pony teammate, and, after a strong showing at the Eastern A, Thivierge could not only have an exciting first state tournament, but could help Havre max out on points at 145, which would have a huge impact on the trophy race. Thivierge is wrestling really well right now, and though a quarterfinal bout with Libby's Trey Thompson will be tough, this weekend could very well be a true coming out part for the Pony freshman. Thivierge opens with Polson's Caleb Pierre.

152 - Connor Harris (42-4)

Now in his junior season, Harris is simply one of the best middle-weight wrestlers in all of Montana. He's proven that all season long. And after finishing third at 152 last year, a state title has been his quest right from the start this season. However, Harris is part of a bigger story, and that is 152 is the premier weight class at the state tourney. Belgrade's John Mears is a defending state champion, while Polson's Bridger Wenzel and Sidney's Jace Winter are also big guns. And Harris, at one point or another this season, has beaten them all. So, not only is the 152-pound bracket loaded, it's also wide open. Harris opens his state tourney against Libby's Zane Nordwick and is on the same half of the draw as both Wenzel and Winter.

170 - Taylor Gopher (11-11)

Gopher is making his second trip to state, but his season has been plagued by injuries. Still, he has experience and won't shy away from the big stage. Of course, Gopher is in a draw with two monsters in Glendive's Nelson Crisafulli and Polson's Hunter Fritsch, who seem to be on a collision course with each other. But, in between, there's no reason why Gopher can't make a run at the podium. He opens state against Columbia Falls' Allec Knapton.

182 - Brayden Stadell (17-18)

Stadell is another Pony making his first trip to state, and another who is in a difficult weight class. Stadell's draw includes the likes of Sidney's Jett Jones, Columbia Falls' Colten McPhee and Laurel's Cameron Younger, but, Stadell also showed what he's capable of at last week's Eastern A, and he too has a chance to put some points on the board for the Ponies this weekend. Stadel begins his first state tourney against Polson's Logan Adler.

205 - Austin Ratliff (33-5)

It's been a remarkable season for Ratliff, a senior leader for the Blue Ponies. With multiple individual titles and being ranked in the Top 3 at 205 all season, Ratliff has certainly broke out in his final year on the mat. And, make no mistake, he can win the state title this weekend. There will be road blocks such as Livingston's Shane Gibson and Miles City's Tyler Harms, but both of them are on the opposite side of the draw. In Ratliff's way to the final will be Ronan's Justin Mays and Frenchtown's Levi Downard, but, with the way Ratliff is wrestling this season, don't be surprised to see him wrestling on final's night. He starts his quest for a state title against Whitefish' Ashton Akey.