Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Connor Harris, Havre Wrestling

Everyone is gearing up for the high school wrestling season, including Havre High senior Connor Harris.

Harris will be back on the mat for his final season as a Blue Pony wrestler, where he hopes to finish his career at Havre on a high note. Harris has been committed to the mat since the second grade and his determination is second to none.

Harris has placed third at the Class A state meet in each of the past three years, but this year he wants to take his skills to the top.

"I want to just help out my team the best I can and perform my best throughout the whole year," Harris said, "and end with a state title."

Harris's character is truly what many look for when it comes to Havre High athletes. Not only is he skilled at what he does, but he is a team player, too. This season is a big one for Harris and he looks to prove he has what it takes to claim the top-spot at state.

Harris weighs in at 152 pounds and will be one of the elite contedners in his class this season. The standout has a lot of prowess as a grappler and his attitude about the sport is phenomenal. On top of that, Harris enjoys a particular thing about wrestling.

Plus, Harris has no issue with the physicality of the sport, as a wrestler should. He puts work out on the mat and has made a name for himself as a Blue Pony. HHS head coach Beau LaSalle is happy to see the progress Harris has made since coaching home.

"He's one of the leaders on our team," LaSalle said. "He is very dynamic, powerful and his technique is up there with some of the best guys we've had. But, the biggest ting is Conner has really become a leader."

Harris aims to make some noise in his final year as a Blue Pony, but his career will not end when the season is over, as he has signed with the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team as the first signee of the 2020 recruitin class. That means a lot for the local community, who will get to watch Harris battle as a Light.

Harris is ready for that time to come, at least, once the season at Havre has concluded, where he aims to give it his all both athletically and academically.

"I just want to give them my best all the time," Harris said. "And help them out a little bit."

LaSalle is glad to see Harris pursue his career at Northern, too.

"I'm very excited," LaSalle said. "I wrestled at Northern and lots of our staff through the years has come through Northern. I think he will do very well and he will flourish under Coach (Tyson) Thivierge. I mean, he really hasn't reached his full potential yet, so I'm hoping that he can do that at the next level."

Fans will not have to wait long for Harris to step on the mat for his last season, as the new year starts Friday and Saturday with the Havre Invite in the Havre High gymnasium. But, before Harris grapples with the competition, Havre Daily News caught up with the standout for five questions.

HDN: What are your academic and athletic goals at MSU-Northern?

Harris: "Obviously, I want to do the best I can do in school and one day be a national champion."

HDN: What has been your favorite memory as a Havre High wrestler?

Harris: "All the mat-ball games in the wrestling room. They're really competitive."

HDN: What is your favorite thing about wrestling?

Harris: "The bonds I make with my teammates and the coaches. Plus, just getting to watch them progress through the years and watch the success the team has all the time."

HDN: What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?

Harris: "I like to drive around with my friends, go fishing and play Fortnite."

HDN: What is the meet(s) that you are looking forward to most this year?

Harris: "I would say the CMR Holiday Classic, which is in Great Falls and the Rocky, which is in Missoula. There's all-class kids like AA, B and C that will be there and it's just good to get to wrestle all those other kids."