After loaded Eastern A, eight Blue Pony grapplers headed for state

The Havre High wrestling team began postseason competition this past Friday and Saturday in the Eastern A Divisional Tournament in Sidney. The Blue Ponies competed against top-ranked teams in the state such as Sidney, Lewistown, Laurel, Miles City and Livingston among others, with state tournament berths on the line.

Out of the 10 teams in the tournament, Havre finished in fifth place with 113.5 points. While Havre head coach Beau LaSalle would have liked better results, he believes his team achieved what they set out to do by qualifying eight wrestlers for state.

"We wrestled ok. Went into the weekend with the attitude that we're going to get our guys qualified and then get in the best possible position for the upcoming week," LaSalle said. "We just did what we needed to do."

Havre Senior Mick Chagnon had the most successful tournament out of all Blue Pony wrestlers as he finished as the champion of the 120-pound weight class. He started the tournament by defeating Ira Lanegan of Lockwood (Billings) with a fall. He then won by a fall over Payton Gaskins of Miles City and then defeated Laurel's Ashton Ulschak, 18-3. In the first-place match, Chagnon won 11-1 against Wyatt Mager from Lewistown. Chagnon remains undefeated on the season.

"He wrestled very well. He wrestled very in control," LaSalle said. "Mick just did what he's been doing all year and just dominated his way through the weight."

Orion Thivierge finished third at 170 pounds for the Ponies. In the championship quarterfinal, he won by fall over Paul Little Light of Hardin. In the consolation semifinal, he defeated Cole Younger of Laurel by a 21-4 decision. In the third-place match, Thivierge won by a fall over Dalton Tvedt of Miles City.

Riley Pleninger finished fourth at 138 pounds to qualify for state. In the championship quarterfinal, he won by fall over Owen Younger of Laurel. In the consolation semifinal, he won by fall over Kade Rindahl of Sidney.

Kale VanCampen also finished fourth for the Ponies at 160. In the championship quarterfinal, he won, 14-9, against Jace Guptill of Hardin. He then won 7-1 over Aaron Foster of Billings Central in the consolation semifinal.

Junior Randy Tommerup finished fifth at 182 pounds to qualify for state. In the third round of the consolation, Tommerup won by fall over Gus Wetstein of Billings Central. In the fifth-place match, Tommerup won by fall over Heston Hinebaugh of Lockwood (Billings). Carson Harris finished sixth at 113. In the second round of the consolation bracket, Harris won by a technical fall over Tyrus Hall of Billings Central. In the consolation's third round, Harris won by a fall over Peyton Waldo of Laurel.

At 126, Dominic Perkins finished sixth. In the second round of the consolation bracket, Perkins won by fall over Jackson Wichman of Billings Central. In the consolation's third round, Perkins again won with a fall, this time against Brayden Salveson of East Helena. Perkins did have to injury forfeit his last two matches, however.

Kendall Pleninger finished sixth at 145 and scored 12 points for the team. He opened the tournament by winning by fall over Charlie Seeman of Livingston/Big Timber. In the second round of the consolation bracket, Pleninger won by fall over Colter DeYoung of East Helena. He then won in the consolation's third round with a fall over Nate Hill of Laurel.

While he did not place to qualify for state, Wyatt Hansen did win a match in the first round of the consolation bracket when he won by fall over Gage Laman of East Helena. Tristan Stygles also won a match for the Ponies when he won, 6-0, against Aiden Aldrich of Billings Central in the first round of the consolation bracket.

As expected, Sidney finished first in the tournament with 387.5 points. In second came Laurel with 225 points and Lewistown finished third with 213 points. In fourth place in front of Havre was Miles City with 208 points.

With the Eastern A now over, LaSalle and his eight qualified wrestlers will begin preparation for the state tournament. LaSalle believes that surviving the Eastern A has prepared his team for the upcoming tournament, especially since they will again compete with Eastern A wrestlers.

"The Eastern A is brutal, it's tough. There's a lot of tough teams, a lot of tough kids," LaSalle said. "Hopefully we can get on a roll early and keep that going throughout the tournament. We've seen what our competition is like in a tournament format so we like how our guys wrestled in that format."

The Ponies begin competition in the State A Wrestling Tournament, which runs Friday and Saturday in Miles City.

Eastern A at Sidney

Team Scores

Sidney 387.5, Laurel 225, Lewistown 213, Miles City 208, Havre 113.5, Livingston 103, Glendive 95, Hardin 61, Central 54, Lockwood 51.5, East Helena 1.

Individual Havre Results

113 - Carson Harris, 6th Place (8-15)

Champ. Round 1 - Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 received a bye () (Bye)l Quarterfinal - Owen Lonski (Sidney/Fairview) 37-0 won by fall over Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 (Fall 1:20); Cons. Round 2 - Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 won by tech fall over Tyrus Hall (Billings Central/Joliet) 9-17 (TF-1.5 3:56 (16-1)); Cons. Round 3 - Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 won by fall over Peyton Waldo (Laurel) 15-5 (Fall 0:24); Cons. Semi - Damen McCord (Fergus (Lewistown)) 26-10 won by tech fall over Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 (TF-1.5 2:53 (15-0)); 5th Place Match - Beau Contreraz (Lockwood (Billings)) 13-6 won by decision over Carson Harris (Havre/Box Elder) 8-15 (Dec 4-0).

120 - Mick Chagnon, Champion (21-0)

Champ. Round 1 - Mick Chagnon (Havre/Box Elder) 21-0 won by fall over Ira Lanegan (Lockwood (Billings)) 3-3 (Fall 0:34); Quarterfinal - Mick Chagnon (Havre/Box Elder) 21-0 won by fall over Payton Gaskins (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 9-10 (Fall 0:29); Semifinal - Mick Chagnon (Havre/Box Elder) 21-0 won by decision over Ashton Ulschak (Laurel) 18-3 (Dec 9-3); 1st Place Match - Mick Chagnon (Havre/Box Elder) 21-0 won by decision over Wyatt Mager (Fergus (Lewistown)) 11-1 (Dec 14-7).

126 - Dominick Perkins, 6th Place (8-3)

Champ. Round 1 - Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 received a bye () (Bye); Quarterfinal - Gage McGillvray (Park (Livingston)/ Sweet Grass County (Big Timber)) 15-8 won by medical forfeit over Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 (M. For.); Cons. Round 2 - Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 won by fall over Jackson Wichman (Billings Central/Joliet) 5-13 (Fall 0:29); Cons. Round 3 - Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 won by fall over Brayden Salveson (East Helena) 5-13 (Fall 0:27); Cons. Semi - Johnathan Herr (Laurel) 17-5 won by forfeit over Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 (For.)5th Place Match - Gage McGillvray (Park (Livingston)/ Sweet Grass County (Big Timber)) 15-8 won by injury; default over Dominick Perkins (Havre/Box Elder) 8-3 (Inj. 0:00)

132 - Hunter Velk (4-16)

Champ. Round 1 - Sean Mehling (Hardin) 16-12 won by fall over Hunter Velk (Havre/Box Elder) 4-16 (Fall 1:24); Cons. Round 1 - Miles Wells (Hardin) 15-12 won by major decision over Hunter Velk (Havre/Box Elder) 4-16 (MD 11-2).

138 - Riley Pleninger, 4th Place (15-7)

Champ. Round 1 - Riley Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 15-7 received a bye () (Bye); Quarterfinal - Riley Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 15-7 won by fall over Owen Younger (Laurel) 17-7 (Fall 0:24); Semifinal - Jordan Darby (Sidney/Fairview) 30-1 won by decision over Riley Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 15-7 (Dec 8-4); Cons. Semi - Riley Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 15-7 won by fall over Kade Rindahl (Sidney/Fairview) 19-15 (Fall 0:43); 3rd Place Match - Danyk Jacobsen (Park (Livingston)/ Sweet Grass County (Big Timber)) 21-4 won by decision over Riley Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 15-7 (Dec 6-3)

145 - Kendall Pleninger, 6th Place (13-7)

Champ. Round 1 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 won by fall over Charlie Seeman (Park (Livingston)/ Sweet Grass County (Big Timber)) 5-19 (Fall 0:26); Quarterfinal - Zander Burnison (Sidney/Fairview) 31-5 won by fall over Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 (Fall 3:11); Cons. Round 2 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 won by fall over Colter DeYoung (East Helena) 3-16 (Fall 0:36); Cons. Round 3 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 won by fall over Nate Hill (Laurel) 10-4 (Fall 1:46); Cons. Semi - Wyatt Elam (Fergus (Lewistown)) 30-8 won by decision over Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 (Dec 7-1); 5th Place Match - Cody Harrington (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 17-6 won by fall over Kendall Pleninger (Havre/Box Elder) 13-7 (Fall 2:48).

145 - Mason Wilting (4-12)

Champ. Round 1 - Nate Hill (Laurel) 10-4 won by fall over Mason Wilting (Havre/Box Elder) 4-12 (Fall 0:46); Cons. Round 1 - Jackson Baker (Hardin) 10-17 won by fall over Mason Wilting (Havre/Box Elder) 4-12 (Fall 1:24)

152- Wyatt Hansen (4-5)

Champ. Round 1 - Brennan Hager (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 7-8 won by fall over Wyatt Hansen (Havre/Box Elder) 4-5 (Fall 4:52); Cons. Round 1 - Wyatt Hansen (Havre/Box Elder) 4-5 won by fall over Gage Laman (East Helena) 3-8 (Fall 1:19); Cons. Round 2 - Grady Nelson (Sidney/Fairview) 30-6 won by fall over Wyatt Hansen (Havre/Box Elder) 4-5 (Fall 1:40)

152 - Tristian Stygles (7-9)

Champ. Round 1 - Tyler Emineth (Laurel) 18-4 won by fall over Tristian Stygles (Havre/Box Elder) 7-9 (Fall 3:04); Cons. Round 1 - Tristian Stygles (Havre/Box Elder) 7-9 won by decision over Aiden Aldrich (Billings Central/Joliet) 14-10 (Dec 6-0); Cons. Round 2 - Brennan Hager (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 7-8 won by fall over Tristian Stygles (Havre/Box Elder) 7-9 (Fall 2:12).

160 - Landen Caplette (5-6)

Champ. Round 1 - Jace Guptill (Hardin) 14-9 won by fall over Landen Caplette (Havre/Box Elder) 5-6 (Fall 1:58); Cons. Round 1 - Landen Caplette (Havre/Box Elder) 5-6 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Easton DeJong (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 7-18 won by fall over Landen Caplette (Havre/Box Elder) 5-6 (Fall 2:52).

160 - Kale VanCampen, 4th Place (15-5)

Champ. Round 1 - Kale VanCampen (Havre/Box Elder) 15-5 received a bye () (Bye); Quarterfinal - Kale VanCampen (Havre/Box Elder) 15-5 won by decision over Jace Guptill (Hardin) 14-9 (Dec 6-2)Semifinal - Camden Johnson (Laurel) 17-5 won by decision over Kale VanCampen (Havre/Box Elder) 15-5 (Dec 3-1); Cons. Semi - Kale VanCampen (Havre/Box Elder) 15-5 won by decision over Aaron Foster (Billings Central/Joliet) 19-8 (Dec 7-1); 3rd Place Match - Cade Gubler (Park (Livingston)/ Sweet Grass County (Big Timber)) 20-7 won by decision over Kale VanCampen (Havre/Box Elder) 15-5 (Dec 4-2)

170 - Orion Thivierge, 3rd Place (16-3)

Champ. Round 1 - Orion Thivierge (Havre/Box Elder) 16-3 received a bye () (Bye); Quarterfinal - Orion Thivierge (Havre/Box Elder) 16-3 won by fall over Paul Little Light (Hardin) 6-13 (Fall 1:02); Semifinal - Keaton Potter (Fergus (Lewistown)) 31-6 won by decision over Orion Thivierge (Havre/Box Elder) 16-3 (Dec 7-1); Cons. Semi - Orion Thivierge (Havre/Box Elder) 16-3 won by decision over Cole Younger (Laurel) 21-4 (Dec 8-2); 3rd Place Match - Orion Thivierge (Havre/Box Elder) 16-3 won by fall over Dalton Tvedt (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 13-10 (Fall 3:00).

170 - Daniel Edmonds (6-4)

Champ. Round 1 - Paul Little Light (Hardin) 6-13 won by fall over Daniel Edmonds (Havre/Box Elder) 6-4 (Fall 3:06); Cons. Round 1 - Daniel Edmonds (Havre/Box Elder) 6-4 received a bye () (Bye)Cons. Round 2 - Cody Todd (Billings Central/Joliet) 13-13 won by fall over Daniel Edmonds (Havre/Box Elder) 6-4 (Fall 0:58).

182 - Randy Tommerup, 5th Place (15-6)

Champ. Round 1 - Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 received a bye () (Bye); Quarterfinal - Heston Hinebaugh (Lockwood (Billings)) 1-3 won by decision over Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 (Dec 7-5); Cons. Round 2 - Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 3 - Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 won by fall over Gus Wetstein (Billings Central/Joliet) 3-14 (Fall 0:23); Cons. Semi - Jaiden Gibson (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 14-11 won by decision over Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 (Dec 4-1); 5th Place Match - Randy Tommerup (Havre/Box Elder) 15-6 won by fall over Heston Hinebaugh (Lockwood (Billings)) 1-3 (Fall 4:16).

285 - Andrew LaRoque (1-7)

Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Morris (Fergus (Lewistown)) 25-5 won by fall over Andrew LaRoque (Havre/Box Elder) 1-7 (Fall 0:26); Cons. Round 1 - Andrew LaRoque (Havre/Box Elder) 1-7 received a bye () (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Gunnar Ward (Billings Central/Joliet) 16-9 won by fall over Andrew LaRoque (Havre/Box Elder) 1-7 (Fall 0:15).