Sports

In his final high school basketball game, Cougar senior Sawyer Anderson poured in 27 points, but the No. 1 seed CC boys came up short losing to Wood River 67-62 in over time. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

In his final high school basketball game, Cougar senior Sawyer Anderson poured in 27 points, but the No. 1 seed CC boys came up short losing to Wood River 67-62 in over time. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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Wood River Ends Cougars Season With 67-62 OT Loss

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
STROMSBURG – After struggling to overcome a nine-point deficit in the second half, Cross County’s boys basketball team managed to force overtime, with a missed lay-up by visiting Wood River in the final seconds seemingly giving the Cougars new life.It turned out that the visiting Eagles regrouped...

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Cougars and Buffs to Battle in Opening Round of D1 State Basketball

Ken Kush
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
LINCOLN- “We’re baaack.”The Cross County Cougars girls basketball team upset No. 6 seed Central Valley Friday night and punched their ticket to the Girls State Basketball Tournament for the fourth consecutive year.Cross County (20-7) will take on Elm Creek (22-4) at the Devaney on Thursday, March 5...
Edie Peterson, PCN photo by Rick Holtz

Edie Peterson, PCN photo by Rick Holtz

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Jaguars Get The Best of Cougars

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
HOWELLS — It’s not the end of the road.Cross County earned a wild card and will take on D-1 No. 5 Central Valley in a district final matchup on Friday in Greeley.
Blue River senior Danica Watts controls Gering’s Amber Hahn in the match to secure her first state medal. Watts went on to a sixth place medal at 115 pounds. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

Blue River senior Danica Watts controls Gering’s Amber Hahn in the match to secure her first state medal. Watts went on to a sixth place medal at 115 pounds. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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WATTS EARNS FIRST STATE MEDAL WITH SIXTH PLACE

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
For the second year in a row, Danica Watts, a senior at Shelby- RC in just her third year of competitive wrestling qualified to compete with the best at the state wrestling tournament.
CC/O senior Ema Dickey went 1-2 at state in her only year of girls wrestling. She finished with a record of 26-10. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

CC/O senior Ema Dickey went 1-2 at state in her only year of girls wrestling. She finished with a record of 26-10. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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Dickey goes 1-2 at Class B State Wrestling

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
CC/O senior Ema Dickey excelled her first three-years at Cross County on the basketball court during the winter sports season.This season as Cross County and Osceola combined forces to offer girls wrestling for the first time, Dickey decided to give the new sport a try.She became the schools’ first...
TOP- Huskies senior Eli Fjell pinned Maxwell’s Trevor Manta in the 190-pound Class D final on Saturday. Fjell repeats as a state champion.

TOP- Huskies senior Eli Fjell pinned Maxwell’s Trevor Manta in the 190-pound Class D final on Saturday. Fjell repeats as a state champion.

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Huskies Crown Two State Champions-Bring Home Three State Medals

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
OMAHA- The Shelby-RC Huskies crowned a pair of state champions as senior Eli Fjell (50-4) won his second straight title in Class D, this time at 190 after winning at 215 in 2024-2025.His teammate, Coy Vrbka took over the Class D 215 pound bracket this season and dominated the entire year as he...
High Plains senior Dakota Gress pins Summerland’s Lilly Kester at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Dakota went on to a fifth place finish at Class B 125 pounds. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress pins Summerland’s Lilly Kester at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Dakota went on to a fifth place finish at Class B 125 pounds. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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DAKOTA GRESS BRINGS BACK MEDAL TO HIGH PLAINS

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
OMAHA- The highest finish of the state tournament by an area girl wrestler was turned in by Storm senior Dakota Gress who took home fifth place at 125 pounds in Class B.Dakota opened with an 11-0 MD over Wayne’s Ayvree Abler, but lost to state champion Felycia Kerman in an ultimate tie-breaker...
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week we break from the norm to recognize two state champions.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week we break from the norm to recognize two state champions.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for Feb. 26, 2026

Coy Vrbka
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. This week we break from the norm to recognize two state champions. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors.