High Plains Storm

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week there was no way to pick just one.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week there was no way to pick just one.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for Feb. 27, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week there was no way to pick just one.  Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors.
HallieJo Urkoski (HPC) and Halle Gabel go for the ball. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

HallieJo Urkoski (HPC) and Halle Gabel go for the ball. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

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Lady Storm Secure Two Wins to Districts

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
POLK – High Plains hosted subdistricts, Tuesday the girls played Osceola. After they won 56-53, they hosted McCool Junction on Thursday. The Lady Storm beat McCool 46-35.HPC 56, Osc 53It was an evenly matched back and forth game. The girls played hard on both sides.
Eli Fjell wrestles Luke Pawloski (Plstn.) in the state finals. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

Eli Fjell wrestles Luke Pawloski (Plstn.) in the state finals. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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STATE WRESTLING

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
OMAHA – Nine wrestlers from SRC and HPC competed in Omaha at State Wrestling. High Plains had all three medal and placed eighth. Shelby-Rising City had four medal and placed third. Both competed in Class D.
Dakota Gress (HPC) wrestles at state. She placed fourth. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

Dakota Gress (HPC) wrestles at state. She placed fourth. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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Girls State Wrestling

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
OMAHA – For the first time, girls wrestling had their own days for state, and were divided into two classes.Four girls from Polk County made the trip to Omaha to compete: Bailey Turpitt (senior,A105), Danica Watts (junior, A115), Bailey Gress (sophomore, B120) and Dakota Gress (junior, B125).
TWO WRESTLERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

TWO WRESTLERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

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TWO WRESTLERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
OMAHA– Boys state wrestling was Thursday through Saturday in Omaha. Two of our local wrestlers were crowned state champions.The NSAA decided to do the championship rounds in a different order, starting with 157 pounds to 285, followed by 106 to 150.
Five Huskies placed first including (left to right) Collin Vrbka, Eli Fjell, Coy Vrbka, Jett Vrbka and Owen Krafka. PCN photo by Jen Vrbka.

Five Huskies placed first including (left to right) Collin Vrbka, Eli Fjell, Coy Vrbka, Jett Vrbka and Owen Krafka. PCN photo by Jen Vrbka.

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CRC WRESTLING

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
BRAINARD – East Butler hosted conference wrestling again this year, with this year’s addition of Twin River. Centennial was not present this year. Ten teams competed. CRC teams Twin River, Shelby-Rising City, High Plains, Cross County-Osceola, East Butler and Meridian.
Bailey Gress (HPC)

Bailey Gress (HPC)

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Girls Wrestling: Four Qualify for State!

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
ORD – The Gress sisters from High Plains wrestled in districts at Ord. They both placed third and both punched their ticket to state in Omaha! This will be the first trip to state for Bailey, and the second for Dakota.120: Bailey Gress (HPC, 26-18) won over Khloe Pomplun (DT) in a 30-second pin.
Lindee Kelley (CC) dribbles the ball while Peyton Hofmann (HPC) defends. PCN file photo by Beth Sparrow.

Lindee Kelley (CC) dribbles the ball while Peyton Hofmann (HPC) defends. PCN file photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Lady Cougars Win Rematch with Lady Storm

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
STROMSBURG – Cross County girls basketball coach Mitch Boshart has committed to a fullcourt press this season and on Saturday it took two periods to take full effect.
Langdon Arbuck (CC) puts the ball up as Brodey Spurling (HPC) goes up to rebound. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Langdon Arbuck (CC) puts the ball up as Brodey Spurling (HPC) goes up to rebound. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Cougars Continue Win Streak; Rout HP

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
STROMSBURG – With the two tallest players for High Plains out with injuries, Cross County’s boys basketball team used its height to full advantage, with 6-foot-6 senior Wyatt Hengelfelt scoring 17 points in a 64-37 home win Saturday night.