Sports

Every September, the rodeo arena in North Platte transforms into more than just a competition ground—it becomes a place of joy, inclusion, and unforgettable memories. On September 10, 2025, the Wild West Arena hosted the 14th annual Partner Up Rodeo, an event where high school and junior high rodeo athletes, parents, volunteers, and community members join forces to give young people with disabilities the chance to experience the western way of life.

The Cody-Kilgore Cowgirls are ready for the lights, the noise, and the energy of Homecoming. On Friday night, the volleyball squad will finally take its home floor in Cody, hosting the Oelrichs Tigers in what promises to be an electric atmosphere for the Cowgirls’ first home contest of the season.

The Cody-Kilgore Cowboys kicked off the 2025 season on Friday, August 30, at Cody Athletic Park, when the Stuart Broncos stampeded into western Cherry County. The contest featured a six-man top-10 tilt with the No.

The Cody-Kilgore Cowboys kicked off the 2025 season with a tall order facing off against last year’s state champion, the Stuart Broncos. True to form, the Broncos came out strong and kept the Cowboys scoreless until the fourth quarter resulting in a definitive defeat of 75-8.

This week, the Valentine Badgers traveled to Winner and took on the Warriors. In a hard-fought match, the Lady Badgers dropped three sets to one.

by Danielle Arganbright The 2025 Homecoming Festivities will kick off on Sunday, September 21, with the Badger Booster Powder Puff, watermelon feed, and Pep Rally! The Student Council will hold its annual spirit days, parade, and dance the following week. The theme for the week is From the Big Screen to the Home Team! The spirit days will feature themes related to the red carpet.

The Badgers hosted O’Neill Friday, August 29, and lost with a score of 25-47. Scoring by quarters: Valentine 0, 0, 12, 13 = 25 O’Neill 14, 21, 6, 6 = 47 Trystan Beebout had 17 passing yards and Trace Buechle had 144.

The Youth Tackle Football Team (Valentine 2) traveled to O’Neill for the Leprechaun Youth Sports Jamboree on Sunday. They had some learning during the first game versus O’Neill 3. Their second game versus Atkinson 2 had them playing some football. They scored five touchdowns and held the opponents to 1. They will travel to Bassett on September 14, 2025 to play the North Central team.

The Lady Badger coaches said, “Another second place plaque for the Lady Badgers. They brought in a team score of a 402 in Atkinson.” Valentine placed four players: fifth place, Joni Cox, 96; eighth place, Tierny Miller, 100; 12th place, Sam Sprenger, 103; and 13th place, Rylee Wackler with 103.

Cross Country Coach Alex Jensen said, “We’re off and running with 17 total competitors this year! Our high school boys are getting in some great benchmarks to start the season. We’re already seeing a lot of improvement and we’re being competitive!