The Van Meter cross country teams are nearing the end of their seasons, however not before a couple of final regular season meets.

The Bulldogs competed at the Nodaway Valley Invitational on Oct .3, with the girls and boys having varying results.

Among seven other teams, the girls finished first at the meet with a total of 19 points. Head coach Josh Flaws said the meet was one of Van Meter’s best of the year for the girls, with 19 points a tough thing to do.

“Overall just a really strong race, and it’s good to see since we’re kind of nearing conference and state qualifying that our team is running really well together,” Flaws said.

The Bulldogs had four of their runners finish in the top five, with seniors Clare and Mary Kelly finishing first and second respectively.

Flaws said the team’s ability to finish like that shows how Van Meter’s three, four and five runners are closing the gap on its top two runners. He added that the freshmen on the team have been pushing all season, taking strides and cutting time.

“All of that is just going to make us way more competitive in the bigger meets for sure,” Flaws said.

As for the boys, Van Meter finished sixth out of 11 at the meet, scoring 135 points. Flaws said the finish shows how the younger runners are getting better, stepping up and running well.

Sophomore Luka Hulse was the top runner for the boys, grabbing fourth with a time of 18:43.52. Flaws said the meet was Hulse’s best individual race and that he has been the team’s number one runner all season.

He added that Hulse has been extremely focused, and with the goal to qualify for state, Hulse knows what he needs to do to get there.

“He’s got a real shot, I think if he keeps going, he’s run so consistently, he’s kinda always in the 18’s and he kinda figured out how he likes to run his race,” Flaws said. “He starts a little bit slower but really picks it up like the last mile or two and finishes super strong so he’s pretty laser-focused.”

There is now one meet left for Van Meter before the conference meet, and Flaws said with the meet being a week before conference, it’ll be a good precursor with lots of good competition. He added that the meet will give Van Meter an idea of where they are at and how the teams stacks up, with the extra week between a chance to prepare.

“Going against those teams and especially Des Moines Chrisitan is always good for us,” Flaws said. “I know both teams have a ton of respect for each other and the girls really like running against each other, they kinda push each other as two teams, it’s pretty fun to watch.”

Flaws said the Bulldogs will find out their state qualifier location soon, although the team hasn’t run at either of the two locations Van Meter is likely to get.

He said once he figures out the location, the Bulldogs will find out who they run against, with Flaws saying it’ll hopefully be some common opponents so they know the competition.

With the unfamiliar course, Flaws said he scouts the course by talking to coaches to learn about it and be able to prepare, but ultimately, the team has to trust it’s done everything it can to be ready for that point.

Van Meter next competes at the Saydel Invitational at 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Saydel High School.

The Van Meter football team picked up its fourth straight win when the Bulldogs took on Nodaway Valley.

The Bulldogs defeated the Wolverines 42-0 on Sept. 30. Van Meter got off to a strong start in the first quarter, scoring four touchdowns to go up 28-0.

Senior quarterback Ben Gilliland had a solid game for the Bulldogs, going 6-for-8 for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior running back Ben Gordon also had a strong game, leading the scoring with three touchdowns. He rushed nine times for 106 yards and three scores.

Senior Carter Durflinger had a good game as well, scoring twice. Durflinger rushed once for 22 yards and a touchdown and also caught two receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Michael Banks caught Van Meter’s other receiving touchdown, catching a 30-yard pass for the score.

Banks also led the defense with four total tackles while senior AJ Redondo had the team’s lone sack. Sophomore Caleb Moore also recorded an interception for Van Meter.

The Bulldogs will look to make it five in a row when they take on Interstate 35 for senior night at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Van Meter High School.