The Newton wrestling program is walking in
By Troy Hyde NDN Sports Writer
The Newton wrestling program is walking in unchartered waters for the first time in head coach Bill Reed’s long tenure as Cardinal head man.
For the first time in his 12 seasons at the helm, Newton will begin a season with no state qualifiers in the wrestling room.
“It is definitely new territory this year,” Reed said. “We need to rise to the challenge. The program is facing a lot of challenges right now, and we need to get through them.”
Besides not having a returning state tournament qualifier, the program also is dealing with athletes roaming the hallways who decided not to put their best foot forward and help this year’s team.
“Right now, we are focused on the kids in the room and trying to make them better,” Reed said. “This group will work hard for me. Whatever I ask, they’ll do it. There won’t be a lot of balking.”
At least four starters from last year are not out this year and two-year starter Max Pelfrey’s family moved to Iowa City. That leaves plenty of holes to fill, and Reed is excited about the challenge ahead.
This year’s group is predominantly young with 28 of the 38 wrestlers being freshmen or sophomores. But the returning juniors and seniors at the top are pretty good.
The Cardinals will be headlined this year by senior Chase Eggers and junior Evan Rethmeier, both of which fell just short of state berths last year.
Eggers will be a four-year starter this year and was fourth at districts last year. He wrestled at 135 last year but will have some flexibility this year. He is expected to start at 140 though.
Rethmeier also was third at districts last year after a very successful sophomore year. He will end up at the varsity 171 slot this year.
Both Eggers and Rethmeier won more than 20 matches last year. For Eggers, Pella’s Brent Smith and A.J. Arrendell are both back this year and each were thorns in the sides of both Newton wrestlers.
While the starting lineup was not official at press time of this article, Reed will have several returning wrestlers back to fill the lineup with experience.
Sophomore Austin Cowman returns at 103, but Reed expects freshman Tanner Hull and sophomore Brock Edwards to compete for the position. Last year, the weight was open during parts of the season. That won’t be the case this year with three guys set to wrestle when called upon.
Finding someone at 112 may be tricky for Reed as sophomore Alex Spangenberg moves up to 119. Reed said he also may have trouble filling 135, too.
Other athletes back in action this year for Newton include senior Brandon Tish (152), senior Steven Hansen (140), junior Ian Moore (160), senior Brady Blom (215), sophomore Ragan Brock (heavyweight) and sophomore Joe Brock (189). Reed also expects sophomore Blake Tish to compete for a varsity spot.
This year’s squad includes five seniors, four juniors, 13 sophomores and 15 freshmen.
“Are we getting better every day?” Reed said. “That’s how we will approach this year. We want to get better every time we step onto the mat in practice and in meets.”
Reed expects the Little Hawkeye Conference favorites to be Norwalk and Grinnell with South Tama also having some pretty good talent. The Cardinals were fourth in conference dual action last year and third in the LHC tournament. They went 9-7 overall last year in dual action.
“We want to get better every day, have fun and wrestle hard when we compete,” Reed said.
The wrestling season begins Tuesday, Dec. 1, at home against Dallas Center-Grimes. The annual Cardinal Invitational will be Saturday, Dec. 5.
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