HHS grapplers finish third at Eastern A

The postseason has finally arrived for the Havre High wrestling team. This past Saturday in Laurel, the Blue Ponies competed in the Eastern A Divisionals in order to qualify for state. While HHS head coach Beau LaSalle believes they could have performed better, the Ponies still finished third in the tournament and 13 of their 15 wrestlers advanced.

"I thought we wrestled alright. We didn't wrestle perfectly but we won some matches that were close," LaSalle said. "We left some points on the table but we're not gearing up for a divisional championship, we're getting ready for next week."

The Ponies scored 186.5 points to take third in the tournament. Sidney won the Eastern A Divisional with a score of 243.5 points while Laurel took second with a score of 196.5.

Just like he has all season, Orion Thivierge wrestled well for the Ponies as he took first in the 170-pound weight class. After a bye to open the tournament, Thivierge pinned Sidney's Christian Lassey 1:32 into their match. In the semifinal, he won by fall 5:16 into his match against Easton DeJong from Miles City. In the first-place match, Thivierge won, 7-1, against Sidney's Grady Nelson.

Kale VanCampen performed well as he took second wrestling at 182 pounds. After a bye, he won, 18-1, for a technical fall over Lewistown's Quinn Boogman. In the semifinal, VanCampen won, 6-4, against Cole Younger from Laurel.

At 152 pounds, Riley Pleninger took second for the Ponies. In the quarterfinal, he won by fall 35 seconds into his match against Jace Buchanan from Laurel. In the semifinal, he won, 6-4, against Espyn Hostetler from Glendive.

Carson Harris placed third for the Ponies at 120 pounds. In the quarterfinal, he won by pin 23 seconds into his match against Deegan Carranza from Sidney. In a consolation match, Harris pinned his teammate Colter Soloman 1:56 into the match. In the third-place match, Harris won, 7-4, against Carranza in a rematch.

Reinhardt Bold also took third for the Ponies as he wrestled at 145 pounds. After a loss in the championship bracket, Bold went on a run through the consolation bracket. In his first consolation match, he pinned Livingston's Isaak Schuerr 1:14 into the match. In the next match, Bold won, 6-2, against Lewistown's Carson Nelson. He then won, 15-5, for a major decision against Laurel's Aden Winder. In the third-place match, Bold won, 5-4, against Glendive's Cody Harrington.

Randy Tommerup took third at 205 pounds. In his opening match, Tommerup won by pin 48 seconds in against Sidney's Nathan Romo. In the quarterfinal, Tommerup pinned Lewistown's Jett Boyce 4:42 into the match. In a consolation match, Tommerup won, 9-1, for a major decision over his teammate Pierce Caplette. In the third-place match, he again pinned Boyce, this time 2:55 into the match.

Matthew Lemer took fourth for the Ponies at 113 pounds. In the quarterfinal, he won, 5-1 against Glendive's Tristan Swanson. In a consolation match, he won, 16-4, for a major decision over Lewistown's Jake Simac.

At 160 pounds, Kendall Pleninger took fourth. In his first match, Pleninger won by pin 25 seconds in against Ryan Paxson from Miles City. In his first consolation match, Pleninger won by pin 23 seconds in against Gus Wetstein from Billings Central. Pleninger then won by pin 26 seconds in against Sidney's Josh Salz. In the consolation semifinals, Pleninger won, 9-7, against Laurel's Beau Mares.

At 120 pounds, Solomon took sixth for the Ponies. In a consolation match, he won, 4-3, against Tyrus Hall from Billings Central. Tristan Stygles took sixth at 138 pounds. In his first match, he pinned Glendive's Keenan Huber 1:00 into the match. In the quarterfinal, Stygles pinned Cody Hofer from Billings Central 3:40 into the match.

Caplette took sixth for the Ponies at 205 pounds. In his first match, Caplette pinned Codell McNiven from Laurel 1:20 into the match. In his first consolation match, Caplette won by pin 1:35 into the march against Romo from Sidney. Caplette then won by pin 1:50 in against Hardin's Kayon Fisher.

At 152 pounds, Landon Caplette placed eighth for the Ponies. In the first match, Caplette won by pin 24 seconds into his match against Lewistown's Kyle Sannar. In a consolation match, Caplette pinned Miles City's Jay Pluhar 1:26 into the match. Zale Thomas also placed eighth as he wrestled at 285 pounds. In a consolation match, Thomas pinned Sidney's Caleb Kleinke 2:14 into the match.

Throughout the tournament, the Ponies had several matches that were decided by small margins. LaSalle believes that if they can learn from these matches, they can take the next step and perform well at state this weekend.

"They're right there with the best in the state," LaSalle said. "This just gives them confidence moving forward that they're right there."

The state tournament will begin in Billings this Friday.

Eastern A Divisional

at Laurel

Team Scores

Sidney/Fairview 243.5, Laurel 196.5, Havre 186.5, Miles City 177.0, Livingston 137.5, Hardin 115.5, Glendive 103.0, Lewistown 90.0, Billings Central 72.0, Billings 64.0.

Havre Individual Results

113 - Matthew Lemer (4th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Matthew Lemer (Havre) 29-16 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Matthew Lemer (Havre) 29-16 won by decision over Tristan Swanson (Dawson Co. (Glendive) 18-18 (Dec 5-1); Semifinal - Reece Graves (Sidney/Fairview) 46-3 won by major decision over Matthew Lemer (Havre) 29-16 (MD 16-4); Cons. Semi - Matthew Lemer (Havre) 29-16 won by fall over Jake Simac (Fergus (Lewistown)) 11-30 (Fall 4:49); 3rd Place Match - Sheldon Rod (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 22-20 won by decision over Matthew Lemer (Havre) 29-16 (Dec 3-0).

120 - Carson Harris (3rd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 won by fall over Deegan Carranza (Sidney/Fairview) 25-24 (Fall 0:23); Semifinal - Austin Berry (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 39-5 won by fall over Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 (Fall 1:39); Cons. Semi - Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 won by fall over Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 (Fall 1:56); 3rd Place Match - Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 won by decision over Deegan Carranza (Sidney/Fairview) 25-24 (Dec 7-4).

120 - Colter Soloman (6th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Isaac Beardsley (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 38-9 won by fall over Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 (Fall 5:34); Cons. Round 2 - Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 received a bye (Bye); Cons. Round 3 - Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 won by decision over Tyrus Hall (Billings Central/Joliet) 22-22 (Dec 4-3); Cons. Semi - Carson Harris (Havre) 30-14 won by fall over Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 (Fall 1:56); 5th Place Match - Beau Contreraz (Lockwood (Billings)) 19-14 won by decision over Colter Soloman (Havre) 14-26 (Dec 4-0).

132 - Jacob Kunz

Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Wichman (Billings Central/Joliet) 30-19 won by decision over Jacob Kunz (Havre) 15-29 (Dec 10-5); Cons. Round 1 - Jacob Kunz (Havre) 15-29 received a bye (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Tucker Ellison (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 34-18 won by fall over Jacob Kunz (Havre) 15-29 (Fall 2:31).

138 - Tristan Stygles (6th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Tristan Stygles (Havre) 32-15 won by fall over Keenan Huber (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 18-23 (Fall 1:00); Quarterfinal - Tristan Stygles (Havre) 32-15 won by fall over Cody Hofer (Billings Central/Joliet) 30-24 (Fall 3:40); Semifinal - Sean Mehling (Hardin) 41-10 won by forfeit over Tristan Stygles (Havre) 32-15 (For.); Cons. Semi - Trae DeSaveur (Park (Livingston)/) 23-12 won by forfeit over Tristan Stygles (Havre) 32-15 (For.); 5th Place Match - Cody Hofer (Billings Central/Joliet) 30-24 won by forfeit over Tristan Stygles (Havre) 32-15 (For.).

145 - Reinhard Bold (3rd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Cody Harrington (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 39-7 won by fall over Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 (Fall 3:52); Cons. Round 2 - Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 won by fall over Isaak Schuerr (Park (Livingston)/) 4-12 (Fall 1:14); Cons. Round 3 - Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 won by decision over Carson Nelson (Fergus (Lewistown)) 28-18 (Dec 6-2); Cons. Semi - Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 won by major decision over Aden Winder (Laurel) 23-18 (MD 15-5); 3rd Place Match - Reinhardt Bold (Havre) 21-6 won by decision over Cody Harrington (Dawson Co. (Glendive) 39-7 (Dec 5-4).

152 - Landon Caplette (8th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Landon Caplette (Havre) 8-8 won by fall over Kyle Sannar (Fergus (Lewistown) 4-30 (Fall 0:24); Quarterfinal - Zander Burnison (Sidney/Fairview) 51-3 won by fall over Landon Caplette (Havre) 8-8 (Fall 0:32); Cons. Round 2 - Landon Caplette (Havre) 8-8 won by fall over Jay Pluhar (Custer Co. (Miles City) 9-29 (Fall 1:26); Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Baker (Hardin) 26-21 won by fall over Landon Caplette (Havre) 8-8 (Fall 1:26); 7th Place Match - Jaden Silha (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 25-15 won by fall over Landon Caplette (Havre) 8-8 (Fall 0:53).

152 - Riley Pleninger (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Riley Pleninger (Havre) 34-7 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Riley Pleninger (Havre) 34-7 won by fall over Jace Buchanan (Laurel) 26-8 (Fall 0:35); Semifinal - Riley Pleninger (Havre) 34-7 won by decision over Espyn Hostetler (Dawson Co. (Glendive)) 36-9 (Dec 6-4); 1st Place Match - Zander Burnison (Sidney/Fairview) 51-3 won by decision over Riley Pleninger (Havre) 34-7 (Dec 12-10).

160 - Kendall Pleninger (4th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 won by fall over Ryan Paxson (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 17-26 (Fall 0:25); Quarterfinal - Kadyen Howe (Hardin) 29-12 won by decision over Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 (Dec 5-2); Cons. Round 2 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 won by fall over Gus Wetstein (Billings Central/Joliet) 2-25 (Fall 0:23); Cons. Round 3 - Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 won by fall over Josh Salz (Sidney/Fairview) 31-20 (Fall 0:26); Cons. Semi - Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 won by decision over Beau Mares (Laurel) 28-19 (Dec 9-7); 3rd Place Match - Kadyen Howe (Hardin) 29-12 won by decision over Kendall Pleninger (Havre) 29-17 (Dec 5-0).

170 - Mason Wilting

Champ. Round 1 - Grady Nelson (Sidney/Fairview) 42-11 won by fall over Mason Wilting (Havre) 3-12 (Fall 0:39); Cons. Round 1 - Mason Wilting (Havre) 3-12 received a bye (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Christian Lassey (Sidney/Fairview) 7-11 won by fall over Mason Wilting (Havre) 3-12 (Fall 2:00).

170 - Orion Thivierge (1st Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Orion Thivierge (Havre) 31-1 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Orion Thivierge (Havre) 31-1 won by fall over Christian Lassey (Sidney/Fairview) 7-11 (Fall 1:32); Semifinal - Orion Thivierge (Havre) 31-1 won by fall over Easton DeJong (Custer Co. (Miles City)) 37-18 (Fall 5:16); 1st Place Match - Orion Thivierge (Havre) 31-1 won by decision over Grady Nelson (Sidney/Fairview) 42-11 (Dec 7-1).

182 - Kale VanCampen (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Kale VanCampen (Havre) 32-10 received a bye (Bye); Quarterfinal - Kale VanCampen (Havre) 32-10 won by tech fall over Quinn Boogman (Fergus (Lewistown)) 14-19 (TF-1.5 3:11 (18-1)); Semifinal - Kale VanCampen (Havre) 32-10 won by decision over Cole Younger (Laurel) 31-12 (Dec 6-4); 1st Place Match - Cade Gubler (Park (Livingston)/) 31-2 won in tie breaker - 1 over Kale VanCampen (Havre) 32-10 (TB-1 4-2).

205 - Pierce Caplette (6th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 won by fall over Codell McNiven (Laurel) 21-15 (Fall 1:20); Quarterfinal - Dante Pallone (Hardin) 34-12 won by major decision over Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 (MD 15-1); Cons. Round 2 - Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 won by fall over Nathan Romo (Sidney/Fairview) 15-37 (Fall 1:35); Cons. Round 3 - Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 won by fall over Keyon Fisher (Hardin) 10-5 (Fall 1:50); Cons. Semi - Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 won by major decision over Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 (MD 9-1); 5th Place Match - Hesston Hinebauch (Lockwood (Billings)) 24-14 won by decision over Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 (Dec 6-1).

205 - Randy Tommerup (8th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 won by fall over Nathan Romo (Sidney/Fairview) 15-37 (Fall 0:48); Quarterfinal - Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 won by fall over Jett Boyce (Fergus (Lewistown)) 20-23 (Fall 4:42); Semifinal - Lyom Bullard (Park (Livingston)/) 22-11 won by decision over Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 (Dec 8-4); Cons. Semi - Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 won by major decision over Pierce Caplette (Havre) 21-9 (MD 9-1); 3rd Place Match - Randy Tommerup (Havre) 31-9 won by fall over Jett Boyce (Fergus (Lewistown)) 20-23 (Fall 2:55).

285 - Zale Thomas (8th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Seth Benge (Billings Central/Joliet) 17-9 won by fall over Zale Thomas (Havre) 7-15 (Fall 2:41); Cons. Round 1 - Zale Thomas (Havre) 7-15 received a bye (Bye); Cons. Round 2 - Zale Thomas (Havre) 7-15 won by fall over Caleb Kleinke (Sidney/Fairview) 29-24 (Fall 2:14); Cons. Round 3 - Graidy Ward (Billings Central/Joliet) 16-27 won by fall over Zale Thomas (Havre) 7-15 (Fall 0:34); 7th Place Match - Jesus Gonzalez (Sidney/Fairview) 12-25 won by decision over Zale Thomas (Havre) 7-15 (Dec 6-1).