Cross County Cougars

Above-Cross County’s Jed Berggren (11) pursues the Gibbon ball carrier in Friday night’s game on the road in Gibbon. Berggren was second on the team with 10 tackles in the win. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

Above-Cross County’s Jed Berggren (11) pursues the Gibbon ball carrier in Friday night’s game on the road in Gibbon. Berggren was second on the team with 10 tackles in the win. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

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Another Birthday Win for the Cougars

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
GIBBON – Last week the Cougars got a win, and it was senior Cannen Mooney’s birthday. This past Friday was senior quarterback Sawyer Anderson’s birthday and again they get a win, 46-7.
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 Sept. 4, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, September 3, 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.
Cross County junior Tyion Francis (4) uses a stiff arm to keep the Battle Creek defender away in Friday nights game with Battle Creek won by the Cougars 35-14. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

Cross County junior Tyion Francis (4) uses a stiff arm to keep the Battle Creek defender away in Friday nights game with Battle Creek won by the Cougars 35-14. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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Cougars Upset State Rated Battle Creek

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
STROMSBURG-The Cross County Cougars took a huge step in the right direction Friday night as they took down a traditional giant in Class C-2 football, the Battle Creek Braves 35-14 in their season opener.
Top: Cross County sophomore Saphira Osentowski (17) and senior Sydney Hengelfelt (22) set up the block in last Thursday night’s game at Fullerton won in three sets by the Cougars.

Top: Cross County sophomore Saphira Osentowski (17) and senior Sydney Hengelfelt (22) set up the block in last Thursday night’s game at Fullerton won in three sets by the Cougars.

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Cougar Hitters Shine in opener

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
FULLERTON — Cross County opened the 2025 volleyball season with a statement win over Fullerton.The Cougars (1-0) went on the attack from the opening serve, cruising to a 25-10, 25-15, 25-9 sweep. Cross County coach Emmie Finkral liked what she saw from her hitters.
Polk County senior catcher Mady Berggren picks up the ground ball in front of home plate ands fires on to first base. In two games this week Berggren was 5 for 6 with two home runs, a triple and six RBI’s. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Polk County senior catcher Mady Berggren picks up the ground ball in front of home plate ands fires on to first base. In two games this week Berggren was 5 for 6 with two home runs, a triple and six RBI’s. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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POLK COUNTY DROPS PAIR OF HOME GAMES, FALLS TO 1-5

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
POLK-It was a tale of two completely different games, but in the end the result was the same in both for the Polk County Slammers.
Polk County Slammers freshman Chloe Schott beats the throw to first base as the HWY 91 first baseman bobbles the throw. Schott went 3 for 4 with three RBI in her varsity debut. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Polk County Slammers freshman Chloe Schott beats the throw to first base as the HWY 91 first baseman bobbles the throw. Schott went 3 for 4 with three RBI in her varsity debut. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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ROUGH START FOR POLK COUNTY SLAMMERS

Ken Kush
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
STROMSBURG-There was no lack of offense as the Polk County Slammers hosted HWY 91 on Thursday night in both team’s season openers.The Cyclones who are based out of Leigh scored in every inning including crooked numbers in five of the seven frames on their way to the 18-12 win.
Cross County Football front (L-R); Benji Cooper, Cooper DeWitt, Eli Greenwall, Tyion Francis, Parker Redden, Dane Jarosz, Izayaha Kowalczyk, Colton Burke, Eric Delaet, Jed Berggren. Second row; Sawyer Anderson, Cole Redden, Emerson Henry, Tymari Francis, Bode Berggren, Emmitt Lonsdale, Calob Troy, Bridger Johnson, Abe Peterson. Third row; Joaquin Alvarez-Rodriguez, Gabe Nuttelman, Paxton Burke, Devin Lonsdale, Derek Georges, Cannen Mooney, Mason Quilhot, Jacob Smith, Krayton Schoch, Carter Berggren. Back ro

Cross County Football front (L-R); Benji Cooper, Cooper DeWitt, Eli Greenwall, Tyion Francis, Parker Redden, Dane Jarosz, Izayaha Kowalczyk, Colton Burke, Eric Delaet, Jed Berggren. Second row; Sawyer Anderson, Cole Redden, Emerson Henry, Tymari Francis, Bode Berggren, Emmitt Lonsdale, Calob Troy, Bridger Johnson, Abe Peterson. Third row; Joaquin Alvarez-Rodriguez, Gabe Nuttelman, Paxton Burke, Devin Lonsdale, Derek Georges, Cannen Mooney, Mason Quilhot, Jacob Smith, Krayton Schoch, Carter Berggren. Back ro

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COUGARS MORE PREPARED TO MEET CHALLENGES OF C2 FOOTBALL

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Cross County head football coach Mitch Boshart has just five seniors on his 2025 roster, but a host of sophomores and juniors made the most of extensive playing time during a 4-5 season last fall and are back with a little more size and strength.
Cross County senior Sydney Hengelfelt (22) comes into the 2025 season with 504 career kills and 1,100 set assists. The senior set the Cougars single-game record with 32 kills against Meridian last year. PCN file photo.

Cross County senior Sydney Hengelfelt (22) comes into the 2025 season with 504 career kills and 1,100 set assists. The senior set the Cougars single-game record with 32 kills against Meridian last year. PCN file photo.

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Fourth-year Starter Hengelfelt Excited About Finishing Well for Cougars

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
It’s summer and Sydney Hengelfelt chose to serve as a lifeguard for the pool in Stromsburg the past two months, allowing her to teach occasional swim lessons and carry around equipment that can help her keep kids and adults from mishaps in the water.
Cross County senior quarterback Sawyer Anderson pulls the ball back from running back Tyion Francis during the Cougars final summer practice. PCN photo by Ken Kush

Cross County senior quarterback Sawyer Anderson pulls the ball back from running back Tyion Francis during the Cougars final summer practice. PCN photo by Ken Kush

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Cougar’s Summer Football Camp Success Spikes Optimism

Ken Kush
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
STROMSBURG- Coming into this years summer camps the Cross County Cougars knew that they would have to replace some strong senior leadership and role players who helped introduce the team to the world of 11-man high school football in 2024.
Collin Vrbka (SRC senior) hits one in the fairway. He scored 102 at districts in Lincoln. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Collin Vrbka (SRC senior) hits one in the fairway. He scored 102 at districts in Lincoln. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Area teams struggle at C-1

Ken Kush
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
LINCOLN- The Class C-1 District golf meet was held at Crooked Creek Golf Club east of Lincoln on Monday.Following Sunday nights rains the course was very wet in some places and most of the bunkers looked more like water hazards.