The Dowagiac cross country team will compete in the Viking Stampede Friday. (Leader photo/File)

Cross country gets its season going with the annual Viking Stampede at the Dowagiac Middle School Friday.

The girls race begins at 5 p.m. with the boys race to follow at 5:45 p.m.

Scheduled to compete are Bridgman, Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Middlebury, Northridge, Niles, Plainwell, St. Joseph, Lakeshore and Watervliet.

Awards will be presented to the top team finishers as well as the Top 10 finishers in each class — freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Northridge captured the boys title, while St. Joseph won the girls championship.

The host Vikings placed fifth, Dowagiac sixth and Buchanan seventh in the boys race. Niles was also fifth in the girls race, while Buchanan was sixth.

VanDenBerg Invitational

Host Niles will be seeking its sixth straight VanDenBerg Invitational soccer tournament championship Saturday.

First round games will be played at both Niles and Brandywine high schools with the title match being hosted by Niles. The consolation match will be played at Brandywine.

In the opening round, Niles will host Buchanan, while Brandywine will host Cassopolis. Both matches will begin at 10 a.m.

The championship and consolation matches will begin at noon.

Last year, Niles defeated Cassopolis 9-1 and Buchanan edged Brandywine 2-1 in the first round to advance to the championship match.

In the consolation match, the Bobcats defeated the Rangers 5-2.

Niles scored both of its goals in the 2-0 win over Buchanan in the second half of the championship match.

After a scoreless 30 minutes, Eric Fritz scored both goals for the Vikings, his first in the 39th minute and the second in the 44th minute.

Niles dominated the match, outshooting Buchanan 12-1.

Matches will consist of two 30-minute halves. In case of a tie at the end of regulation, a shootout will decide the winner.

Admission is $5 per person. Concessions will be available at Niles.