Sports

Storm senior Chase Owens (24) takes the shot over East Butler’s Drew Wachal (50) during last Thursday night CRC semifinal at the York CityAuditorium. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Storm senior Chase Owens (24) takes the shot over East Butler’s Drew Wachal (50) during last Thursday night CRC semifinal at the York CityAuditorium. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Storm Boys Basketball Finishes Fourth at CRC

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
YORK- The High Plains Storm came into Thursday night’s semifinal game against the East Butler Tigers at the York City Auditorium, looking to do what nobody else had been able to do this year and that was hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.From the opening tip to the final horn the East...
Osceola’s Bella Recker hits the hole like a running back in Friday’s CRC Championship game. Recker led the Bulldogs with 16 points, but the Bulldogs fell short of winning the title 42-40. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Osceola’s Bella Recker hits the hole like a running back in Friday’s CRC Championship game. Recker led the Bulldogs with 16 points, but the Bulldogs fell short of winning the title 42-40. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Recker’s CRC finals performance impressive despite loss

Craig Pinley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
YORK – Statistically, it was only an average performance, but the second-half performance put on by Osceola’s Bella Recker was special.
Gress Sisters Both Win Gold at Cedar Bluffs Invite

Gress Sisters Both Win Gold at Cedar Bluffs Invite

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Gress Sisters Both Win Gold at Cedar Bluffs Invite

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
CEDAR BLUFFS-Saturday was the final opportunity for girls wrestling teams to get in some last minute competition before teams in Class B will head to their destinations next Friday for two-days of district action, while the Class A teams will be in action on Saturday.Cedar Bluffs hosted 23 teams on...
CC/O boys wrestling has been rolling along with several top five team finishes the past few meets. PCN file photo.

CC/O boys wrestling has been rolling along with several top five team finishes the past few meets. PCN file photo.

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Troy and Dotson-Monroe Claim Gold at Freeman

News Staff
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
ADAMS-The Cross County/Osceola Twisters just missed their fifth straight top five finish as they fished in sixth at the Freeman Invite on Friday with 101.5 points.Southern, No. 5 in Class D won the team title with 149 points, Louisville was second with 134, third went to Norris with 119.5, fourth...
Coy Vrbka of Shelby-RC and Brenden Gabel of Cross County/ Osceola battle at the 285 weight class at the SRC Quad last Tuesday. Over the weekend Coy won the 215 pound bracket at the Central Valley Invite, while Brenden placed third at the Freeman Invite. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

Coy Vrbka of Shelby-RC and Brenden Gabel of Cross County/ Osceola battle at the 285 weight class at the SRC Quad last Tuesday. Over the weekend Coy won the 215 pound bracket at the Central Valley Invite, while Brenden placed third at the Freeman Invite. PCN photo by Travis Lane.

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HUSKIES HOST MID-WEEK QUAD AT SRC

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
SHELBY- The No. 4 dual team in Class D in wildcard points, the Shelby-RC Huskies swept their home dual on Tuesday night to run their record to 15-1.The Huskies defeated Bergan Catholic 54-28, Howells-Dodge 58-21 and fellow Polk County team Cross County/Osceola 48-29.The CC/O Twisters defeated...
Bella Recker puts up a bucket.

Bella Recker puts up a bucket.

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Osceola Beats Dorchester to Make the Finals

Beth Sparrow
Thursday, January 29, 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.
Olive Peterson goes up for a shot.

Olive Peterson goes up for a shot.

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Cougars Win Over McCool in Semis

Beth Sparrow
Thursday, January 29, 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.
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 Jan. 29, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 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.
Shelby-RC junior Jett Vrbka gets his hand raised after his semifinal win. Vrbka captured gold at the David City Invite on Friday, defeating No 1 Griffin Bergen of Sutton in the finals 4-0. Photo was provided.

Shelby-RC junior Jett Vrbka gets his hand raised after his semifinal win. Vrbka captured gold at the David City Invite on Friday, defeating No 1 Griffin Bergen of Sutton in the finals 4-0. Photo was provided.

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Vrbka and Fjell Crowned Champions at Thayer Central

Ken Kush
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
HEBRON- The Shelby-RC Huskies and the Thayer Central Titans battled to a 36-36 tie in dual action on Tuesday night at Thayer Central High School in Hebron.The final match of the night was a win by 26-0 Coy Vrbka at 285 over James Bonar by major decision at 10-0.That win pushed the Huskies advantage...
Cross County/Osceola Twisters freshman Piyper Berggren controls her opponent at the Centennial Invite on Saturday in Utica. Berggren went on to a third place finish in the 105 pound weight class to improve to 22-13. PCN photo by Travis Lane

Cross County/Osceola Twisters freshman Piyper Berggren controls her opponent at the Centennial Invite on Saturday in Utica. Berggren went on to a third place finish in the 105 pound weight class to improve to 22-13. PCN photo by Travis Lane

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Twisters Medal Two Wrestlers At Centennial

Ken Kush
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
UTICA- The Cross County/Osceola Twisters traveled to Utica on Saturday for the Centennial Girls Invite at Centennial High School.Four wrestlers took to the mats and two girls came home with medals.As a team the Twisters were 11th with 29 points.Kearney, York and Millard North were the top three...