Cross County Cougars

Members of the Cross County Girls Basketball team are; front (L-R)- Beretta Webb, Ella Clark, Adrienne Waller, Eden Peterson, Kelsey Brehm. Row 2- Chloe Johnston, Olive Peterson, Zaldi VonHackewitz, Delainey Cramer, Hadley Larson, Jaelynn Wittgren. Back row- coach Kip Allison, head coach Mitch Boshart, coach Hayley Koch. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Members of the Cross County Girls Basketball team are; front (L-R)- Beretta Webb, Ella Clark, Adrienne Waller, Eden Peterson, Kelsey Brehm. Row 2- Chloe Johnston, Olive Peterson, Zaldi VonHackewitz, Delainey Cramer, Hadley Larson, Jaelynn Wittgren. Back row- coach Kip Allison, head coach Mitch Boshart, coach Hayley Koch. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Cross County Girls Basketball Preview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
STROMSBURG- Three Cross County seniors, Adrienne Waller, Edie Peterson and Ella Clark have been to the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament three years in a row.Clark transferred in the middle of her freshman season, but did not play.
Members of the Cross County/Osceola Boys Wrestling team include; Front row: (L-R)- Jed Berggren, Joaquin Alvarez, Brenden Gabel, Brayden Nuttelman, Bode Berggren. Second row - Paxton Burke, Milo Gehring, Harper Michalak, Brody Walker. Third row- Karston Dotson-Monroe, Bridger Johnson, Derek Georges, Emmitt Lonsdale, Billy Carnes. Top row: Leland Rice, Coach Dylan Kaup, Hunter Baumert, Calob Troy. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Members of the Cross County/Osceola Boys Wrestling team include; Front row: (L-R)- Jed Berggren, Joaquin Alvarez, Brenden Gabel, Brayden Nuttelman, Bode Berggren. Second row - Paxton Burke, Milo Gehring, Harper Michalak, Brody Walker. Third row- Karston Dotson-Monroe, Bridger Johnson, Derek Georges, Emmitt Lonsdale, Billy Carnes. Top row: Leland Rice, Coach Dylan Kaup, Hunter Baumert, Calob Troy. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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TWISTERS BOYS WRESTLING PREVIEW

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
OSCEOLA- With a roster of 17 wrestlers strong, Cross County/ Osceola Twisters head coach Dylan Kaup will have a lot to work with as he prepares the team for the upcoming season.
Members of the Cross County boys basketball team are; front (L-R)- Gunner David, Mason Quilhot, Gabe Nuttelman, Cole Phillips, Cannen Mooney, Sawyer Anderson, Benson Seim, Colter Larson, Benji Cooper, Eli Greenwall. Back Row- Calvin Holtz, Bradley Lott, Izahaya Kowalcyck, Cooper Dewitt, Krayton Schoch, Devin Lonsdale, Kris Rediger, Briar Crawford, Abe Peterson, Dane Jarosz, Emerson Henry. Not pictured-Wyatt Stewart. Photo was provided.

Members of the Cross County boys basketball team are; front (L-R)- Gunner David, Mason Quilhot, Gabe Nuttelman, Cole Phillips, Cannen Mooney, Sawyer Anderson, Benson Seim, Colter Larson, Benji Cooper, Eli Greenwall. Back Row- Calvin Holtz, Bradley Lott, Izahaya Kowalcyck, Cooper Dewitt, Krayton Schoch, Devin Lonsdale, Kris Rediger, Briar Crawford, Abe Peterson, Dane Jarosz, Emerson Henry. Not pictured-Wyatt Stewart. Photo was provided.

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CROSS COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
STROMSBURG-Graduation took a huge toll on the Cross Cougars boys basketball team, but head coach Jimmy Blex is still confident that this team can fight for a spot in the Class C-2 State Tournament in March.
The Cross County/Osceola Twisters girls wrestling team gets in their running at Tuesday’s practice held at the Osceola Auditorium. Both the girls and the boys teams are practicing at the Auditorium at the same time. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

The Cross County/Osceola Twisters girls wrestling team gets in their running at Tuesday’s practice held at the Osceola Auditorium. Both the girls and the boys teams are practicing at the Auditorium at the same time. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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TWISTERS GIRLS WRESTLING PROGRAM READY FOR ADVENTURE

Ken Kush
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
STROMSBURG- For the first time in both schools’ history, both Cross County and Osceola will offer girls wrestling that is sanctioned by the NSAA.The two school boards decided to approve the co-op and thus the Twisters girls wrestling program was born.
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

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PCN Athletes of the Week

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week, we broke the norm. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors.
Finley Peterson served an ace.

Finley Peterson served an ace.

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Lady Cougars Lose to Amherst at State

Beth Sparrow
Friday, November 7, 2025
LINCOLN - The Lady Cougars qualified for state but had to face the #1 ranked Amherst Broncos at 1 PM on Thursday. Cross County played hard but ended up short, losing in four sets, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19 and 25-23.
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for Nov. 6, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors.
Left: Cross County volleyball team with their district winner plaque.

Left: Cross County volleyball team with their district winner plaque.

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LADY COUGARS STATEBOUND AFTER WIN IN MORRILL

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
MORRILL - Only two Cougars on the current team have been to state: seniors Sydney Hengelfelt and Edie Peterson. They qualified for state in 2022 as the third ranked team with the same coach, although a different name (Coach Noyd/Finkral). This will be the fourth time in school history.
Cross County junior Ava Pruter (16) slams the attack into the Morrill Lions frontline defense during Saturday’s D1-4 final at Morrill High School. Pruter led the Cougars with 22 kills as Cross County earned their first state volleyball berth since 2022. Photo by Sandy Thompson.

Cross County junior Ava Pruter (16) slams the attack into the Morrill Lions frontline defense during Saturday’s D1-4 final at Morrill High School. Pruter led the Cougars with 22 kills as Cross County earned their first state volleyball berth since 2022. Photo by Sandy Thompson.

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COUGARS WIN OVER MORRILL- PUNCH TICKET TO D-1 STATE VOLLEYBALL

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
MORRILL – The #13 Cougars traveled 387 miles to Morrill to take on the fourth ranked team. Morrill is about 8 miles from the Wyoming state line and is named after Charles Morrill, who is buried in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Cross County head coach Emmie Finkral addresses the team just before the start of practice on Tuesday. The Cougars will face the No. 1 seed Amherst Broncos at 1 p.m. on Thursday at PBA. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Cross County head coach Emmie Finkral addresses the team just before the start of practice on Tuesday. The Cougars will face the No. 1 seed Amherst Broncos at 1 p.m. on Thursday at PBA. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Cougars First Trip to Lincoln Since 2022 Match with Amherst

Ken Kush
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
STROMSBURG - The last time the Cross County Cougars made the Nebraska State Volleyball Championship field was in 2022.The Cougars will face the No. 1 seed Amherst Broncos in the first round of D-1 State on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on the North Court.