Sports

Cross County senior Adrienne Waller (13) has her eyes glued on the basket during Thursday’s opening game of the Class D-1 State Tournament in Lincoln. Waller led the Cougar’s with eight points, all from the free throw line. Cross County suffered their worst shooting night of the season in a 47-21 loss to Elm Creek. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

Cross County senior Adrienne Waller (13) has her eyes glued on the basket during Thursday’s opening game of the Class D-1 State Tournament in Lincoln. Waller led the Cougar’s with eight points, all from the free throw line. Cross County suffered their worst shooting night of the season in a 47-21 loss to Elm Creek. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

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Loss to Elm Creek Does Not Define Cougars Season

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
LINCOLN — A single loss does not define a season.The Cougars saw their season come to an end on Thursday in the opening round of the NSAA Class D-1 State Championships. The No. 7 seed Cross County fell to No. 2 Elm Creek 47-21.“We just didn’t hit shots,” Cross County coach Mitch Boshart said.
Members of the High Plains boys track and field team are; (front from left), Levi Russell, Carson Swedenburg, Saul Lopez-Santos, Aaron Brown, Camden Mattox, Carlos Acuna-Vargas, Makayo Confer. Back row-Jerry Carlson, Brodey Spurling, Colin Howell, Bowdey Glasser, Garyt Lesiak. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Members of the High Plains boys track and field team are; (front from left), Levi Russell, Carson Swedenburg, Saul Lopez-Santos, Aaron Brown, Camden Mattox, Carlos Acuna-Vargas, Makayo Confer. Back row-Jerry Carlson, Brodey Spurling, Colin Howell, Bowdey Glasser, Garyt Lesiak. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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High Plains Girls T and F Preview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
POLK- The 2025 High Plains girls track and field team came up empty in their attempt to qualify athletes for state last year at the district meet, but they still have state track and field experience on the team.
.Cross County senior Sawyer Anderson was the area’s leading scorer as he put up 16.1 points per game and pulled down 5.2 rebounds. He also led the Polk Co. area in assists at 5.3, he was fifth in FT shooting and sixth in steals. PCN file photo by Ken Kush.

.Cross County senior Sawyer Anderson was the area’s leading scorer as he put up 16.1 points per game and pulled down 5.2 rebounds. He also led the Polk Co. area in assists at 5.3, he was fifth in FT shooting and sixth in steals. PCN file photo by Ken Kush.

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Area Boys Final Basketball Stat Leaders

News Staff
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
STROMSBURG- It used to be that we had to rely on coaches emailing or faxing us the team’s final stats for the season.Now all we have to do is wait until the coach enters them on Max Preps and then put together the final numbers for an area leaders board.
Ella Clark finished with 5 points and 5 rebounds for Cross County on Thursday. PCN photo by Rick Holtz

Ella Clark finished with 5 points and 5 rebounds for Cross County on Thursday. PCN photo by Rick Holtz

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Cougar season ends at State

Rick Holtz
Friday, March 6, 2026
LINCOLN — A single loss does not define a season. The Cougars saw their season come to an end on Thursday in the opening round of the NSAA Class D-1 State Championships. The No. 7 seed Cross County fell to No. 2 Elm Creek 47-21.“We just didn’t hit shots,” Cross County coach Mitch Boshart said.
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 March 5, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
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 pulled off the upset and heads back to Lincoln for the fourth season in a row. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

Cross County pulled off the upset and heads back to Lincoln for the fourth season in a row. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

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Upset Propels Cougars Back to State

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
GREELEY — The magical season continues.Cross County earned another bite at the apple on Friday, defeating Central Valley 47-44 in the D1-6 District Final, propelling the Cougars back to State for the fourth season in a row.
Junior Jackson Winslow (12) tries to get around the defense of Archangels Catholic’s Gage Braun. Winslow led the Bulldogs with 18 points, but it was not enough as Archangels Catholic Defenders defeated Osceola 65-42. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Junior Jackson Winslow (12) tries to get around the defense of Archangels Catholic’s Gage Braun. Winslow led the Bulldogs with 18 points, but it was not enough as Archangels Catholic Defenders defeated Osceola 65-42. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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BULLDOGS NO MATCH FOR ONE-LOSS ARCHANGELS CATHOLIC

Ken Kush
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
HUMPHREY- The Osceola Bulldogs scored first and took a 2-0 lead with 7:03 to play in the first quarter.

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From The Corn Stalks/Corn Rows WHAT IS ALL IN A NUMBER?

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
I have always lived by the statement that age was just a number.The other day I was reminded that my number was getting up there and I wanted to respond with some kind of snappy comeback, but I really couldn’t think of anything and I couldn’t really argue with what they said.