High Plains Storm

PCN photo by Rick Holtz

PCN photo by Rick Holtz

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Storm slowed by Chargers

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Storm was fighting battles on two fronts. High Plains was doing battle with Riverside on the football field, but they were battling the near 90-degree heat on the sidelines.
The Hofmann sisters (Rylee and Peyton) go up for the block against East Butler. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

The Hofmann sisters (Rylee and Peyton) go up for the block against East Butler. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

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The Lady Storm Move to 3-1

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
POLK – The Storm had a busy week with a triangular on Tuesday and a dual on Thursday.Tuesday they added one win over Twin River in two sets, and a loss to Riverside in two. Thursday they handled East Butler easily winning in three.The win over Twin River was 2512 and 25-23.
Carson Swedenburg

Carson Swedenburg

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STORM EDGES NEBRASKA CHRISTIAN

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
CLARKS – With just 14 players dressed for Friday night’s home football game against Nebraska Christian, High Plains needed everyone’s contributions and head coach Greg Wood got it during an encouraging 16-8 opening-night win that even faulty lights and rainy drizzle couldn’t dampen.
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.
The High Plains Storm 2025 volleyball; team: front from left, Front row (L to R): Madilynn Zerr, Rylee Hofmann, Dakota Gress, Gahvrielle Lesiak, Peyton Hofmann, Kenslei Carlson. Middle row (L to R): Tessa Morris, Bailey Gress, Hallie Jo Urkoski, Jacey Dubas, Kinley Spurling Back row (L-R): Ava Lindburg, Taya Hans, Elle Warnick, Brooklynn Welch , Payton Ackerson. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

The High Plains Storm 2025 volleyball; team: front from left, Front row (L to R): Madilynn Zerr, Rylee Hofmann, Dakota Gress, Gahvrielle Lesiak, Peyton Hofmann, Kenslei Carlson. Middle row (L to R): Tessa Morris, Bailey Gress, Hallie Jo Urkoski, Jacey Dubas, Kinley Spurling Back row (L-R): Ava Lindburg, Taya Hans, Elle Warnick, Brooklynn Welch , Payton Ackerson. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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“RELENTLESS”-The Rally Cry of High Plains Volleyball

Ken Kush
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
POLK-The High Plains Storm Volleyball team will have to replace more than 50% of the entire statistical output from 2024 due to graduation.High Plains went 21-10 last season and lost in the district finals 3-2 to Exeter-Milligan/ Friend who went on to capture the Class D1 State Runner-up trophy.
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.
Top two photos-Excessive heat drove the High Plains Youth and HS Football Camps indoors on Monday and Tuesday last week.

Top two photos-Excessive heat drove the High Plains Youth and HS Football Camps indoors on Monday and Tuesday last week.

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STORM CAMPS FOCUS ON STAYING HEALTHY

Ken Kush
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
POLK- With nine players from the 2024 team at High Plains having graduated, the High Plains Storm football team will have a little bit of a different look for the 2025 season.
Above-High Plains Storm Gage Friesen (22) is in pursuit of the West kick returner in Saturday night’s Eight Man All-Star Game in Hastings. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Above-High Plains Storm Gage Friesen (22) is in pursuit of the West kick returner in Saturday night’s Eight Man All-Star Game in Hastings. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Area players Pokorney, Friesen and Vrbka represent East at Eight-Man All-Star Game

Ken Kush
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
HASTINGS-The talk for most of the week was the expected heat wave that was forecasted for the state of Nebraska over the weekend and the fact that the West All-Stars were looking to make it four in a row over the East All-Stars in the 48th Annual Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Football game in Hastings...
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 28, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, May 28, 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. Brodey SpurlingBrodey (High Plains junior) placed first in triple jump with a leap of 44....
Top: High Plains junior Brodey Spurling splashes down into the pit in the triple jump. Spurling won both the triple and the long jump on Wednesday. He also was on the Storm’s 4x100 relay which also qualified.

Top: High Plains junior Brodey Spurling splashes down into the pit in the triple jump. Spurling won both the triple and the long jump on Wednesday. He also was on the Storm’s 4x100 relay which also qualified.

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D-2 District produces 19 area state qualifiers

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
OSCEOLA - Osceola had 11 qualifiers (and two alternates) while High Plains had 8 boys qualify for state track next week in Omaha after an exciting Class D District meet in Osceola.