Blue Ponies seeking sunny days on the tennis court

By Havre Daily Staff

Last tennis season was a tough one for the Havre Blue Ponies, and first-year head coach Jeff Miller. First, there was brutal winter weather that just wouldn't go away, putting the Ponies way behind from the get-go.

Then, there was the monumental coaching change at HHS, as Miller took over for his former head coach George Ferguson, who retired from HHS tennis after 20 years at the helm. Needless to say, none of it was easy for Miller.

However, as spring returns and the Blue Ponies get ready to begin a new season, things are looking bright and exciting in Miller's second season.

The former Havre High state champion singles player returns a veteran group of players on both the boys and girls. 

On the boys side, a star-studded senior class, led by three-time All-Conference performer Carter Spangler, Reid Kato, Jackson Headdress and Mason Kinsella. The group has been together for four seasons, and along with returning junior Callen Stoner, as well as the likes of Max Spangler, Carter Chagnon and Wyatt Jelly, who all had a big impact as freshmen, the Ponies will be tough this season, and should battle Miles City and Glendive for Northeast A supremacy.

Havre will also look to returners like Daniel Tilleman and Vance Burr to help, while Tolson Kempton, Aiden Nitz, and freshmen Sidney Griggs, Chase Overcast and Isaan Vikas round out the HHS roster.

Despite losing a big senior class from last year, the HHS girls also have plenty of veteran leadership this spring.

Seniors Chloe Bricker, Mylee Shennum and Kylie Greenwood are four-year varsity players for the Ponies, Alera Chandler, Heather Herring, Tylee Hemmer and Lindsey Leinwand all have varsity experience as well.

Havre has a big girls roster this season, with Emma Bitz, Kaori Bushard, Loise Evangelista, Katie Messinger, Olivia Montelongo, Jaidyn Cole, MacKenzie Hanson, Kayla Hobbs, Arielle Kaftan, McKenna DeLozier, Kayla Jensen and Kylee Mcnew completing the girls roster.

And while Havre High does have veteran leadership, the Ponies will also look to develop their roster and build depth in both singles and doubles as the Ponies work toward the divisional tournament in May in Glendive, and the Class A state tournament the following week in Kalispell.

Havre is set to open its season this Saturday at the Cut Bank Invitational. The Ponies will then host the Havre Invitational May 5-6.

Editor's Note: As of print deadline today, the tennis competition is still on and will be held indoors due to weather.