PHOTO PROVIDED - Seven Marshalltown wrestlers scored medals at the Metro North Invite on Saturday at Urbandale High School. Pictured, from left, are Olivia Wise, Patty Mateo-Merida, Angela Sterling-Nelson, Natalie Nickey, Madylin McDonald, Maelee Corona and Nevaeh Gonzales.

URBANDALE — The Marshalltown girls’ wrestling team opened the season with a ninth-place finish at the Metro North Invite on Saturday at Urbandale High School.

The Bobcats totaled 95 points to finish near the middle of the 15-team tournament.

Marshalltown had 12 wrestlers finish in the top-8 of their respective brackets, with seven top-6 finishers receiving medals.

The Bobcats were led by a third-place finish from Neveah Gonzales, one of the team’s two returning state qualifiers. Gonzales was defeated in the 235-pound semifinals by Emmalyn Buchman of Colfax-Mingo, 6-2, on the strength of two second-period takedowns. Gonzales took down Keaton Simmerman of Central Decatur, 10-5, in the third-place match.

Patricia Mateo Merida (120) and Madylin McDonald (155) earned fourth-place finishes. Natalie Nickey (100) and Maelee Corona (105) picked up fifth place, while Angela Sterling-Nelson (135) and Olivia Wise (190) scored sixth.