A look back at Van Meter's sports highlights in 2023

Sean Cordy
·3 min read
The Bulldogs clear the bench after their double-digit comeback win over ACGC in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
The Bulldogs clear the bench after their double-digit comeback win over ACGC in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

As 2024 gets underway, take a look back at some of the highlights from the Bulldogs over the past year.

Girls Basketball’s Monumental Comeback

Still part of the young season, it’s impossible to ignore the team’s December win against ACGC.

At the threat of losing the season’s home opener, the Bulldogs trailed by 11 points in the fourth quarter against the Chargers. Even with under two minutes left, the deficit was as much as nine. But with crucial plays on defense from Lydia Thummel and some clutch plays at the rim from Finley Netten and Macy Hyer, the Bulldogs pulled through for a 58-56 win that cleared the bench afterwards.

Van Meter’s Jackson Boese gets a kiss from his coach after defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the quarterfinals of the Class 2A of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Van Meter’s Jackson Boese gets a kiss from his coach after defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the quarterfinals of the Class 2A of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Boese, Arellano State Wrestling

The Bulldogs made their way back to the state meet in February with Quinn Arellano and Jackson Boese each making the cut.

Arellano finished the season with a 30-16 record while Boese went 37-9 for the year after taking sixth place for the weekend with a 2-3 record after advancing to the semifinals.

Members of the Van Meter girls distance medley celebrate a Class 2A state title during the Iowa High School state track and field championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Members of the Van Meter girls distance medley celebrate a Class 2A state title during the Iowa High School state track and field championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Girls Track Wins Crown

It wasn’t particularly close. Van Meter took home the Class 2A crown this year with 71 points scored. That was 22 points ahead of second place.

Coming off helping the cross country team win the title just a few months earlier, the distance medley team of Teya Speltz, Finley Netten, Mary Kelly and Claire Kelly set a state record of 4 minutes 6.40 seconds to earn first place. Mary Kelly was also part of the first place 4x800 relay team with Olivia Halfpa, Emma McCoy and Brooklyn Fryar. Running solo, junior Eden Moore took third in the 100-meter dash to help Van Meter’s portfolio beyond distance domination.

The Van Meter girls soccer team poses for a photo after defeating Panorama 2-0 on Thursday, May 25, 2023, to qualify for state.
The Van Meter girls soccer team poses for a photo after defeating Panorama 2-0 on Thursday, May 25, 2023, to qualify for state.

Girls Soccer Heads to State in Year 3

With Van Meter introducing a girls soccer team just three years ago, the Bulldogs have already made the state tournament twice. Like last season, the 2023 campaign ended in a one-and-done after a 2-0 loss to Assumption, but the team’s winning season streak improved to three in a row after high mark of 12-4.

Van Meter's Macy Blomgren pitches during the Class 2A state softball championship between Van Meter and Iowa City Regina, on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Dodge.
Van Meter's Macy Blomgren pitches during the Class 2A state softball championship between Van Meter and Iowa City Regina, on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Dodge.

Softball Reaches Championship

After chasing down a WCAC championship, the Bulldogs found themselves in the state title game. Regina Catholic won 6-2, but that didn’t take away from the team’s accomplishment of eclipsing 30 wins for the third year in a row.

That was done through dominance at the plate and pitcher’s circle alike, leading the WCAC in both batting average and ERA. Senior Macy Blomgren and junior Maddie Waldorf ranked first and second in the conference with sub-2.00 ERAs while Finley Netten’s 49 stolen bases were also the highest mark.

Van Meter football team celebrates after winning 24-21 over Central Lyon-George/Little Rock in the class 2A Iowa High School football championship game at UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Van Meter football team celebrates after winning 24-21 over Central Lyon-George/Little Rock in the class 2A Iowa High School football championship game at UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Football Wins Title After Promotion

Despite the move from Class 1A to 2A, the Bulldogs had no issue bringing home a third straight state championship.

After a comeback win against Underwood in the season-opener, Van Meter won 11 straight games by at least 10 points. It wasn’t until the title game against Central Lyon that the Bulldogs had a contest, but after scoring 14 unanswered points, handed the Lions their first loss of the season.

Quarterback Austin Baumhover led the team with two touchdowns to bring his total to 39 for the season, the most for a Bulldog since 2016.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: A look back at Van Meter's sports highlights in 2023