The Newton boys and girls cross-country teams and the Cardinal girls swim team open their seasons today. 

The cross-country teams will kick off the fall at the Marshalltown Early Bird Meet. Newton boys cross-country coach Steve Weeks returns state qualifier Cooper Lenz from last year. Several other varsity runners from last season are back, along with some freshmen and other newcomers. Coach Weeks says he’s already been impressed with the team’s chemistry.

“The team itself is very cohesive. We get along very well, and I think that helps out a lot in practice. Whether they are top JV, middle JV, bottom JV, we really do work on having everyone improve individually. That helps the team out as a whole.”

On the girls cross-country team, head coach Rachelle Tipton also has a returning state qualifier in Audrey Muckler. Additionally, Tipton says there is a lot of varsity experience with the seniors and juniors, but she believes many of them will be pushed for varsity spots by a strong sophomore class.

“I do believe that’s going to happen. But I also think that is going to help keep this team strong, improving, and growing, because they are all going to want to keep making those battles.” 

The Marshalltown Early Bird meet will have 12 girls teams and 10 boys squads competing, and the meet will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Marshalltown Community College.

The Newton girls swimming and diving team has a new coach, and will hit the water against Tipton and Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Triangular . Kaylee Franke starts her first season leading the Cardinals with three top performers from last year’s team in Harper and Temple Barton and Tori White. Franke says she looks forward to seeing how much this team can improve over the season. 

The Williamsburg Triangular begins at 5:30 p.m.