Hunter and Kayleigh Kontz, of Marshall, welcomed their son Wyatt James on Jan. 3. Wyatt is the first baby born at Avera Marshall Medical Center in 2025.

MARSHALL — Hunter and Kayleigh Kontz knew their baby was due in early January. But they had no idea their son Wyatt James would be the first baby born at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in 2025.

Kayleigh Kontz said she was surprised to learn Wyatt was the hospital’s ‘new year’s’ baby.

“I was like, ‘Oh – it’s (January) third,'” Kontz said of hearing the news. The surprise didn’t change that the Kontz family were excited to welcome Wyatt.

Wyatt James was born at 8:13 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. He weighed seven pounds and two ounces, and was 20 inches long. Wyatt is the Kontzes’ second child. Kayleigh said their daughter Lennon is two, “And she is so excited to meet her little brother.”

The Kontzes said they arrived at the hospital last week prepared for either a baby boy or girl. They chose not to learn the sex of the baby until Wyatt was born, and Hunter and Kayleigh said they each had different guesses as to whether it would be a girl or boy.

“We just wanted a healthy baby,” Hunter Kontz said. “Our first one was a surprise, too.”

The Kontzes said they chose a name that “just felt right” for Wyatt. But his middle name also had a family connection. “James is my middle name, and my dad’s name,” Hunter Kontz said.

Kayleigh Kontz said one of the special things about Wyatt’s arrival was that, before he was born, she got a chance to celebrate the new baby together with her students at KayKo Baton Studio in Marshall.

“We had a little party at the studio,” she said. The young baton twirlers guessed what the baby’s name and weight would be. “There were some funny answers in there,” Kontz said.