A Wrestling: Havre Blue Ponies seek 4th straight title
BILLINGS – The Havre wrestling team is known for its winning ways.
The Blue Ponies can thank a few losses for that.
“Our schedule is as good as anybody in Montana and better than most,” said longtime head coach Scott Filius. “You’ve got to get your kids beat to get the best out of them.”
The three-time defending state champion Ponies are heavy favorites to return to the top of the victory stand this weekend here at the Metra in the Class A portion of the All-Class Wrestling Tournament. Havre has been top-ranked all season and has a lineup loaded with experience and talent.
No fewer than seven Havre wrestlers won divisional crowns last weekend, including defending state champions Parker Filius (152), Travis Adams (Hwt) and Jase Stokes (182). Filius and Stokes also won state individual titles two years ago.
Other talented athletes for the Ponies include divisional champs Martin Wilkie (120), Logan Pleninger (132), Kody Pribyl (138) and Dane Flammond (160). Tyler Schaub (205) placed runner-up at the divisional meet and is also a title contender.
“It’s a fun team,” said coach Filius, the former Billings Senior and MSU-Northern mat star who has guided Havre to 10 State A team titles since taking over the program in 1997. “The kids are tight. They wrestle real loose and confident and have a good time with each other, which makes it fun for me.”
It’s always special for a coach when his son is on the team.
“It’s been fun to share with (Parker),” coach Filius said. “And not only with him, with also with all the kids we’ve been dragging around for years, too.”
There are no unbeaten wrestlers on the Havre roster. Adams, Stokes and Parker Filius have each lost three times this season and Wilkie, the fine frosh, is 43-7.
Parker Filius is regarded as one of the state’s top wrestling talents regardless of class and has lost twice to Belgrade star Jarrett Degen and once to an outstanding foe from Seattle this season.
Degen is looking to become a four-time state champion this weekend, joining an elite list that currently numbers 25. Degen (36-1 at 145) and younger brother Sawyer (33-2 at 126) are Belgrade’s top contenders.
Sidney, which finished second to Havre by 57 points at last weekend’s Eastern A meet, and Western A champion Columbia Falls are expected to contend for top-three finishes.
Even though Havre has but three seniors (Adams, Pleninger and Pribyl), the Ponies are prohibitive favorites to make it four straight team championships. Havre is currently tied with Glasgow and Missoula Sentinel on the all-time state team title list with 12.
Butte High, which won 17 state team championships – all under coach Jim Street – has the Treasure State record.
Scott Filius and his Ponies appear destined to threaten that record.
“I don’t worry about that,” said the Havre head coach. “Right now I’m just worried about this year.”
With only three seniors, it’s likely the Ponies will be back in this position next year and beyond.
“We’re not going anywhere fast,” coach Filius said.
Among those also considered contenders for state championships this weekend are Wyatt Blythe (170), Calde Birdwell (120), Alex Wickens (152) and Chad Landers (160) of Lewistown, and Cody Lucke (170) of Browning.