Cross County Cougars

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.She admitted that she would not call herself a...
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.Cross County finished the season 4-5, but head coach Mitch...
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.A total of 15 teams started out in search of a district title and when...
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 May 22, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, May 21, 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. Haden HelgothHigh Plains senior Haden Helgoth qualified for state in three events.
Cross County sophomore Colter Larson soared 41-06 in the triple to set a new PR and qualify for the Class C Meet in Omaha next week. PCN photo by Ken Kush

Cross County sophomore Colter Larson soared 41-06 in the triple to set a new PR and qualify for the Class C Meet in Omaha next week. PCN photo by Ken Kush

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Cougars, Huskies battle loaded C-5 District field

Ken Kush
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
DAVID CITY- Thursday morning the winds were howling and the dust was blowing, but the C-5 District Track and Field Meet at Memorial Field in David City went on without a hitch.The Cross County Cougars and the Shelby-Rising City Huskies were the two Polk County teams that made the trip east into...
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 May 15, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
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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Cross County golfers on the links in North Bend

News Staff
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
NORTH BEND- The Cross County Cougars golf team joined 19 other teams on Monday at the North Bend Central Invite.The Cougars placed 10th in the field won by Archbishop Bergan with a team score of 291 while Tekamah-Herman was second with 316 strokes and rounding out the top three teams was Wahoo with...
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.

For Subscribers

PCN Athletes of the Week for April 24, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
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.
Wyatt Hengelfelt (CC) helps teammate Brock Allen (CC) line up his putt. Photo provided by Emily Blackburn, SRC

Wyatt Hengelfelt (CC) helps teammate Brock Allen (CC) line up his putt. Photo provided by Emily Blackburn, SRC

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Cougar, Husky Duos Medal at Fullerton Best Ball

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Cross County and Shelby- Rising City saw three teams medal at the Fullerton 2-Man Best Ball Invite on Wednesday at Pawnee Hills Golf Course.Cross County’s team of Brock Allen and Wyatt Hengelfelt finished 5th overall, shooting a 78 on the day, while Kole Crawford and Benson Seim finished 8th with...
Above: Kylie Moore runs the 1600m. PCN file photo by Beth Sparrow.

Above: Kylie Moore runs the 1600m. PCN file photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Arbuck, Kelley Win Jump Events at Thayer Central Meet

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
HEBRON – With a bevy of athletes gone for a FFAstate event, Cross County’s track and field program was a bit shorthanded last Thursday in a meet held at Thayer Central, but some Cougars made the most of their opportunities and two won individual titles.Lindee Kelley won the girls triple jump with a...