Newcastle's winter sports kick off

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
Get excited Dogie fans, because after a few weeks off, athletes at Newcastle High School are back in the gym and the pool, gearing up for the winter sports season.
Due to the late date of Thanksgiving this year, teams were allowed to get going last Monday to get in three days of practice prior to this week, and all four sports took full advantage of the early start.
Dogies hoops, once again under head coach Allen Von Eye, split into two practices per day this week with the varsity and junior varsity squads going after school with Von Eye and assistant coach Matt Conzelman. The freshmen crew, with new assistant coach Dave Christensen began morning practices on Wednesday. 
Head coach Chad Ostenson is back at the helm for the Lady Dogies, as is Colton Willard in the assistant coach position. The ladies will only be able to fill two teams again this season, so all practice after school.
NHS wrestling has a new face this year with the addition of co-head coach Jason Wheeler coming on board to assist Lee McCoy. The squad continues as a coop with the Upton Bobcats, so the addition of Wheeler gives Newcastle a local head coach for the sport. Practice for the grapplers begins at 4 in the afternoon in order to give the Upton athletes travel time. The Dogies/Bobcats will travel to Wright for weight assessment at 3:30 on Friday, and will have their annual lock in from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. this Friday night.
Finally, the Dogie swimmers are back at work after school in the pool under head coach Doug Scribner,
All four teams will kick off their seasons in two weeks with their first contests, however, if any NHS student is still interested in joining one of these squads, they just need a physical and the appropriate gear to get involved yet this week.
Dogie and Lady Dogie fans will once again have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the basketball teams this Saturday at the annual Meet the Dogies varsity scrimmages beginning at 7 p.m. The start time was pushed back this year to accommodate the lighted parade postponed from last week.