Eight wrestlers on the Newton girls wrestling team are experiencing their first year in the program. Coach Chad Garvis says repetition and creating muscle memory is key for their development.

Two of the first year wrestlers, Alivia Conley and Johana Cerna, went 2-1 and placed third the first time they wrestled.

“I thought they would be pretty good, but it’s always different when they get out there. How do you respond to someone getting in your face and grabbing you. Practice is different than a match and you have to get those matches in to see what’s going to happen.”

At their last meet in Chariton on December 21st, the Cardinals placed fifth out of nineteen teams. Kylee Adams and Ella Machin captured first place finishes for Newton, with Adams knocking off a ranked wrestler to win at 105 pounds and Machin taking the top spot at 170 pounds.

The next competition for the Newton girls wrestling team is a dual at Oskaloosa on Thursday, January 2nd.