Newton senior Ethan Valtman signed to play tennis with St. Ambrose University on Friday at the high school. Valtman plans to major in secondary education.
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April 25, 2025
Newton’s Valtman chooses St. Ambrose tennis
Cardinal senior to play for Fighting Bees
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Newton senior Ethan Valtman, seated center, signed to play tennis at St. Ambrose University on Friday afternoon at the high school. Joining Valtman at his signing were his father John Valtman, left, mother Susan Valtman, right, and (back row, from left) brother John Valtman and sister Emily Valtman. Ethan Valtman chose NAIA St. Ambrose over NAIA Grand View University and a few NCAA Division III schools. "I was looking at a lot of Division III schools, but then I learned about NAIA and how they can give direct scholarships and D-III schools can’t," Ethan Valtman said. "I felt more at home with St. Ambrose. It was a little bit of religion. I’m Catholic and it’s a Catholic school. They have a beautiful church there so I can go to mass any time I want. It has a nice, small campus feel and it’s a little bit away from home but close enough to come back if I need to." Ethan Valtman said he may try to join the Fighting Bees bowling team but will always have tennis as his top priority. "I was focused on tennis because that’s what I spend the most time at," Valtman said. "It’s definitely my main sport. If there’s an opportunity with bowling, I would love to do both sports at the one school. I will have to reach out to the bowling coach." Valtman plans to major in secondary education with the hopes of one day becoming a history teacher. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)