Sports

Coy Vrbka will be attending Southwest Minnesota State University next fall where he will further his education in Ag Business and play football for the Mustangs. Here at the signing (L-R) is his dad Heath, Coy and his mom Kelsey. Photo was provided

Coy Vrbka will be attending Southwest Minnesota State University next fall where he will further his education in Ag Business and play football for the Mustangs. Here at the signing (L-R) is his dad Heath, Coy and his mom Kelsey. Photo was provided

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Vrbka chooses Marshall, MN as his college destination

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
SHELBY- When Shelby-RC senior Coy Vrbka made his decision to attend Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN to play football, you could hear the groans from many college wrestling coaches who were still holding on to hope he might choose wrestling over football.
Bailey (left) and Dakota (right) work out before the start of the B-2 District at Columbus Lakeview. They are the only members of the High Plains girls team and both qualified for the state meet last weekend. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Bailey (left) and Dakota (right) work out before the start of the B-2 District at Columbus Lakeview. They are the only members of the High Plains girls team and both qualified for the state meet last weekend. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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GRESS SISTERS, TEAMMATES and BEST FRIENDS

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
POLK-The Gress sisters, Bailey, a junior and Dakota, a senior do everything together.
Storm Rolls Past Meridian- Can’t Stop East Butler

Storm Rolls Past Meridian- Can’t Stop East Butler

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Storm Rolls Past Meridian- Can’t Stop East Butler

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
POLK – High Plains used 20 points and 10 rebounds by Brodey Spurling to edge visiting Meridian 56-43 last Tuesday. Chase Owens pitched in with 15 points and Carson Swedenburg canned a trio of three-point buckets for nine points while Colin Howell put in six points.
Osceola junior Bella Recker scored 38 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the team’s win at Meridian on Friday. Becker put up 52 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in two Bulldog wins. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

Osceola junior Bella Recker scored 38 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the team’s win at Meridian on Friday. Becker put up 52 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in two Bulldog wins. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

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Recker Scores 38 in 68-24 Blowout Win at Meridian

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
OSCEOLA- With the regular season winding down the Osceola Bulldogs had a strong week as they defeated BDS on Tuesday night 41-37 and followed that up with a road win at Meridian on Friday night 68-24.
Above: Makenna Fuhrman (HPC) takes it to the basket as Beretta Webb (CC) tries to stop her. PCN photo by Rick Holtz. Below: Olivia Frederick shoots one against Nebraska Christian. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Above: Makenna Fuhrman (HPC) takes it to the basket as Beretta Webb (CC) tries to stop her. PCN photo by Rick Holtz. Below: Olivia Frederick shoots one against Nebraska Christian. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Extra Sports Pictures

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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 Feb. 5

News Staff
Wednesday, February 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.
1982 Hordville football team

1982 Hordville football team

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HPC Hall of Fame Inducts 2 Men & A Team

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Two men and one team were inducted into the High Plains Hall of Fame on Saturday. POLK – Saturday between the girls and boys’ basketball game, High Plains honored two individuals and one team by newly inducting them into the HPC Hall of Fame.First was the 1982 Hordville football team.
Cross County senior Mady Berggren will be attending Dordt University next fall. Pictured at her signing are; her dad Jeff, Mady, mom Amanda and brother Carter. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Cross County senior Mady Berggren will be attending Dordt University next fall. Pictured at her signing are; her dad Jeff, Mady, mom Amanda and brother Carter. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Berggren Settles on Dordt University

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
STROMSBURG- Softball has always played a “big role” in Mady Berggren’s life.Her dad Jeff has been her biggest inspiration, because as Mady put it, they could talk about softball “non-stop”.Berggren’s high school softball career ended last October.
Osceola freshman Kalisyn Prososki scored nine points as the Bulldogs defeated No. 1 seed Dorchester in the CRC semifinals to earn a ticket to the finals. Osceola won the game 37-29, their second win over the Longhorns this year. Following Friday night’s championship game, Prososki was named to the all-tournament team PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Osceola freshman Kalisyn Prososki scored nine points as the Bulldogs defeated No. 1 seed Dorchester in the CRC semifinals to earn a ticket to the finals. Osceola won the game 37-29, their second win over the Longhorns this year. Following Friday night’s championship game, Prososki was named to the all-tournament team PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Bulldogs Earn Ticket Taking Down No.1 Dorchester

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
YORK – Tuesday night was the CRC girls’ semifinals. First was Osceola vs. Dorchester, and the Dawgs came out on top, 37-29.Cross County finished out the night defeating McCool Junction 56-42.
Cross County Cougars senior Edie Peterson scores on a third quarter drive during the CRC Championship on Friday at the York City Auditorium. Peterson hit the game winner with under five seconds to play. PCN photo by Ken Kush

Cross County Cougars senior Edie Peterson scores on a third quarter drive during the CRC Championship on Friday at the York City Auditorium. Peterson hit the game winner with under five seconds to play. PCN photo by Ken Kush

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CROSSROADS CONFERENCE GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Cross County Cougars Repeat as Crossroads Conference ChampionsYORK – It was a county matchup with Cross County vs. Osceola in the finals of CRC girls. It was back and forth and a fight to the finish, but Edie Peterson put in the winning goal for Cross County, 42-40.