Sports 

A stunner in Jacksonville: Jaguars trade up to land 2-way star Travis Hunter in the NFL draft
A stunner in Jacksonville: Jaguars trade up to land 2-way star Travis Hunter in the NFL draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up three spots to select Heisman Trophy winner and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.

Northwestern of Iowa dominates, wins GPAC title at Beatrice Country Club

Northwestern of Iowa dominates, wins GPAC title at Beatrice Country Club

Northwestern (IA) shot a league record to win this weeks GPAC championship at Beatrice Country Club.

Nebraska native Jake Diekman returns to pitch 2025 season with Lincoln Saltdogs

Nebraska native Jake Diekman returns to pitch 2025 season with Lincoln Saltdogs

Former Southern Raider and Doane Tiger Jake Diekman will bring his 13 seasons of MLB experience to the Lincoln Saltdogs pitching staff this summer.

WNCC baseball splits with Otero on Monday

WNCC baseball splits with Otero on Monday

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team split an Empire Conference doubleheader with Otero College on Monday.

Colorado sports notes: Deion Sanders laments criticism son Shedeur faces ahead of NFL draft but says he's 'built for this'

Colorado sports notes: Deion Sanders laments criticism son Shedeur faces ahead of NFL draft but says he's 'built for this'

Deion Sanders says he shudders to think about the kind of negativity he would have faced back when he was preparing for the NFL draft in 1989.

Huskers partner with News Channel Nebraska to televise spring 'Husker Games' soccer match

Huskers partner with News Channel Nebraska to televise spring 'Husker Games' soccer match

LINCOLN, Neb. — News Channel Nebraska is televising a Husker women’s soccer match this weekend as part of the Husker Games spring festivities.

Nebraska is hosting an exhibition match against Wyoming on Saturday, with NCN’s live coverage starting at

NEWS: Jurgens, Eagles agree to 4-year $68M extension

NEWS: Jurgens, Eagles agree to 4-year $68M extension

The Philadelphia Eagles and Center Cam Jurgens has agreed to a four-year contract extension. 

WNCC softball tops Luna for 13th straight victory on Sunday

WNCC softball tops Luna for 13th straight victory on Sunday

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team is finding their stride down the stretch as the Cougars outscore Luna Community College 52-9 in the 4-game series including taking two games on Easter Sunday for the series sweep.

Eagles Split With CMU Behind Garner's Shutout

Eagles Split With CMU Behind Garner's Shutout

Kenzi Garner threw a complete-game shutout and the Eagle offense scored all six runs with two outs as Chadron State softball rebounded from an 8-0 loss in the opening doubleheader game to end the four-game series with a 6-0 win over Colorado Mesa.

Blackwood is new in net for playoff-experienced Avalanche and seeks a 2-0 series lead over Stars

Blackwood is new in net for playoff-experienced Avalanche and seeks a 2-0 series lead over Stars

New Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is already having a big impact on the Avalanche in their eighth consecutive postseason.

Sharp shooter from Elm Creek takes family to new experience

Sharp shooter from Elm Creek takes family to new experience

An 11-year-old from Elm Creek qualified for the Elks Hoop Shoot National Tournament, and now he's taking his family on a whole new experience.

Colorado sports notes: Stars and Avs in playoff-opening series of Cup favorites that has Mikko Rantanen on a different side

Colorado sports notes: Stars and Avs in playoff-opening series of Cup favorites that has Mikko Rantanen on a different side

The Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche are meeting in the playoffs again, this time in the opening round with Mikko Rantanen on a different side.

WNCC softball sweeps Luna for 11th straight win

WNCC softball sweeps Luna for 11th straight win

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team put together another solid performance on the diamond registering a doubleheader conference sweep over Luna Community College on Friday in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Eagles Held On Offense Against CMU

Eagles Held On Offense Against CMU

Chadron State kept a high-powered Colorado Mesa offense largely at bay, but struggled against the Mavericks' pitching, losing 5-2 and 6-1 in the first half of a four-game series in Grand Junction. 

Sidney’s Holly sprints to 100-meter gold in Gothenburg; Nesbitt, Knobbe win events

Sidney’s Holly sprints to 100-meter gold in Gothenburg; Nesbitt, Knobbe win events

Sidney’s Lance Holly blazes to 100m gold, and Panhandle athletes shine at the Dutch Zorn Invite in Gothenburg.

WNCC baseball earns split with Otero

WNCC baseball earns split with Otero

The Western Nebraska Community College and Otero baseball teams are still tied for fourth as each team captured a win on Thursday in the first day of the 4-game Empire Conference doubleheader in LaJunta, Colorado.

Struggling Rockies fire hitting coach Hensley Meulens, replace him with former manager Clint Hurdle

Struggling Rockies fire hitting coach Hensley Meulens, replace him with former manager Clint Hurdle

The Colorado Rockies fired hitting coach Hensley Meulens and replaced him with former manager Clint Hurdle on Thursday.

Gering’s Maser wins Mitchell Golf Invite in scorecard playoff

Gering’s Maser wins Mitchell Golf Invite in scorecard playoff

Gering’s Jack Maser topped Scottsbluff’s Noah Shaddick in a playoff to win the 2025 Mitchell Golf Invite.

Third class coming to eight-man football: Coaches react, reason for the changes

Third class coming to eight-man football: Coaches react, reason for the changes

Often times, change is inevitable. But sometimes change can be accompanied by growth or expansion - such is the case for 8-Man football in Nebraska.

Ten Hastings High School seniors sign college letters of intent

Ten Hastings High School seniors sign college letters of intent

Hastings High held its spring signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon that saw those ten athletes putting pen to paper, making their commitments official. 

Former Winside coach picked to lead Norfolk High volleyball team

Former Winside coach picked to lead Norfolk High volleyball team

A coach with more than a decade of experience will be the next to lead the Norfolk volleyball program.

WNCC volleyball inks three WyoBraska players

WNCC volleyball inks three WyoBraska players

Scottsbluff’s Hergenreder, Cheyenne’s Twamley, North Platte’s Fleck part of Balza’s first recruiting class.

Chadron State rodeo team excels in Casper

Chadron State rodeo team excels in Casper

The Chadron State College rodeo team had one of its most outstanding weekends ever at the Casper College rodeo this past weekend, April 11-13.   

Colorado sports notes: Captain Gabriel Landeskog rejoins the Avalanche after 2-game minor-league rehab assignment

Colorado sports notes: Captain Gabriel Landeskog rejoins the Avalanche after 2-game minor-league rehab assignment

Gabriel Landeskog is rejoining the Colorado Avalanche after taking part in a two game minor-league rehab assignment.

Thunder Thump Tigers as Falls City Falters Late Against Nodaway Valley, MO

Thunder Thump Tigers as Falls City Falters Late Against Nodaway Valley, MO

FALLS CITY, NE - In a battle between the Nodaway Valley Thunder and Falls City Tigers, it was Nodaway Valley who ran away with it late as they improved to 6-5 on the season with an 18-3 win on Monday.

Orangemen fall to Platteview in opening round of Trailblazer Conference tournament

Orangemen fall to Platteview in opening round of Trailblazer Conference tournament

Beatrice's bid to repeat as Trailblazer Conference Tournament champions was ended on Monday evening. 

Zimmerman breaks record as Chadron State splits doubleheader

Zimmerman breaks record as Chadron State splits doubleheader

Lauren Zimmerman finished with an RBI in each game to become Chadron State's all-time program RBI leader.

Colorado sports notes: Nuggets secure No. 4 seed in Western Conference with 126-111 rout of Rockets

Colorado sports notes: Nuggets secure No. 4 seed in Western Conference with 126-111 rout of Rockets

Michael Porter Jr. scored 19 points, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic added 18 each and the Denver Nuggets clinched the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 126-111 win over the Houston Rockets.

WNCC baseball sweeps Trinidad on Saturday

WNCC baseball sweeps Trinidad on Saturday

It was a good weekend for the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team as they swept Trinidad State College in the 4-game series Friday and Saturday.

Eagles notes: Hanchett sets Chadron State College javelin record

Eagles notes: Hanchett sets Chadron State College javelin record

Freshman Trace Hanchett won the javelin event, sailing the spear 65.60 meters, or 215 feet, 3 inches, to set the Chadron State school record and lead CSC's performances on day one of the Kit Mayer Classic hosted by Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

Colorado sports notes: Kevin Fiala scores 2 goals, and the LA Kings hold off the Avalanche 5-4

Colorado sports notes: Kevin Fiala scores 2 goals, and the LA Kings hold off the Avalanche 5-4

Kevin Fiala scored two goals for the second straight game, and Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists apiece in the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Cougar notes: WNCC softball sweep NJC for 7th straight win

Cougar notes: WNCC softball sweep NJC for 7th straight win

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team captured their seventh straight win in a doubleheader with Northeastern Junior College on Friday at Volunteer Field.

Iowa's Kaden Wetjen Honored as 14th Jet Award Recipient

Iowa's Kaden Wetjen Honored as 14th Jet Award Recipient

OMAHA, Neb. — An Iowa Hawkeye officially holds the title of  "best return specialist in college football" for the 2024 season.

Kaden Wetjen was presented with the 14th annual Jet Award on Thursday night in front of hundreds at the Baxter Arena.

Hastings College fires Baseball coach Steve Maddock

Hastings College fires Baseball coach Steve Maddock

The Hastings College Baseball team is making a mid-season coaching change by firing its first-year head coach. 

WNCC's Eastman headed to Briar Cliff for volleyball

WNCC's Eastman headed to Briar Cliff for volleyball

Tamika Eastman’s graduating class at Sioux County High School in Harrison had five graduates.

Shaddick claims individual title, Scottsbluff wins team championship at Red Raider Golf Invite

Shaddick claims individual title, Scottsbluff wins team championship at Red Raider Golf Invite

Scottsbluff’s Noah Shaddick carded a 5-over-par 77 to win the individual title and lead the Bearcats to a team victory at the 2025 Red Raider Golf Invite Thursday at Hillside Golf Course in Sidney.

Alan Huss to return to Creighton Bluejays as Greg McDermott’s successor

Alan Huss to return to Creighton Bluejays as Greg McDermott’s successor

Creighton is bringing back Alan Huss to the Bluejays basketball program likely to serve as “head coach-in-waiting,” sources told First Alert 6 on Thursday.

Chadron State Spring FB Preview: Veteran Defense, Rebuilding Offense

Chadron State Spring FB Preview: Veteran Defense, Rebuilding Offense

The Chadron State College offensive and defensive units had vastly different objectives when they launched spring practice in the last week of March.

WNCC softball picks up two wins against Lamar on Tuesday

WNCC softball picks up two wins against Lamar on Tuesday

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team captured their fifth-straight win as the Cougars topped Lamar Community College in a pair of conference games Tuesday at Volunteer Field.

Crete wins pitchers duel, tops Beatrice 2-1

Crete wins pitchers duel, tops Beatrice 2-1

Thanks to some strong pitching from the Crete Cardinals, Beatrice's journey to being above .500 for the first time since opening day will have to continue. 

Chadron State Football Hires Two New Coaching Assistants

Chadron State Football Hires Two New Coaching Assistants

Chadron State football has announced two new coaching assistants that will join the CSC coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season. 

NBA coaches react with dismay over Michael Malone's firing, 'the unfortunate part of the business'

NBA coaches react with dismay over Michael Malone's firing, 'the unfortunate part of the business'

The Denver Nuggets — the 2023 NBA champions — fired Michael Malone with three games left in the season, an unprecedented move for a postseason-bound team.

Cougar notes: WNCC breaks scoring record with 40 runs in a game

Cougar notes: WNCC breaks scoring record with 40 runs in a game

It was a record-setting day for the Western Nebraska Community College softball team as they picked up a pair of non-conference wins over Ft. Hays Tech Northwest on Monday.

Eagles notes: Chadron State wins 19 events at Scott Walkinshaw meet

Eagles notes: Chadron State wins 19 events at Scott Walkinshaw meet

Chadron State won 19 events, including 13 wins by the men, as the Eagles largely dominated their two regional RMAC rivals at the Scott Walkinshaw Open and Multi, hosted by Black Hills State University in Spearfish on Saturday and Sunday. 

Sidney competes at Ed Moore Invite in Ogallala Monday

Sidney competes at Ed Moore Invite in Ogallala Monday

The Sidney High School boys placed third with 100.5 points and the girls earned fourth with 70 points at the Ed Moore Track and Field Invite in Ogallala on Monday.

Brandon nearly perfect in game one as Cougars sweep Lamar Sunday

Brandon nearly perfect in game one as Cougars sweep Lamar Sunday

Clayden Brandon tossed a 1-hitter and faced just 21 batters as the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team opened the 4-game Empire Conference series with an 1-0 win over Lamar Community College Sunday afternoon at Cleveland Field.

Mines uses big innings to defeat Chadron State

Mines uses big innings to defeat Chadron State

Chadron State softball fell victim to the big inning over the first two games of a four-game series, falling 9-5 and 7-5 to Colorado School of Mines on Sunday in Golden. 

Chase Dollander wins his major league debut as Rockies top Athletics 12-5

Chase Dollander wins his major league debut as Rockies top Athletics 12-5

Chase Dollander won his major league debut with five solid innings, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Athletics 12-5 on Sunday, snapping a six-game skid.

Wilson atones for hitting into triple play with 2-run double as Athletics beat reeling Rockies 7-4

Wilson atones for hitting into triple play with 2-run double as Athletics beat reeling Rockies 7-4

Jacob Wilson atoned for hitting into a triple play with a two-run double that sent the Athletics on their way to a 7-4 win over the reeling Colorado Rockies.

Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders put on a show for all 32 NFL teams at Colorado's pro day

Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders put on a show for all 32 NFL teams at Colorado's pro day

Travis Hunter flashed his talent while running routes and catching passes from quarterback Sheduer Sanders at Colorado's pro day.

Jacob Wilson's 11th-inning single leads A's to 6-3 win over Rockies in snowy Coors Field opener

Jacob Wilson's 11th-inning single leads A's to 6-3 win over Rockies in snowy Coors Field opener

Jacob Wilson hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the 11th inning for his third RBI, and the Athletics beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 in a snowy home opener at Coors Field.

Creighton scores in portal with ex-Big Ten freshman of year Freeman and high-scoring Graves

Creighton scores in portal with ex-Big Ten freshman of year Freeman and high-scoring Graves

Former Iowa forward Owen Freeman, the 2023-24 Big Ten freshman of the year, has signed with Creighton.

Several area athletes named to 2025 NCA Basketball All-Star Games

Several area athletes named to 2025 NCA Basketball All-Star Games

Several area athletes have been named to the 2025 Nebraska Coaches Association High School Basketball All-Star Games. 

Norfolk stuns Lincoln Southwest in penalty kicks

Norfolk stuns Lincoln Southwest in penalty kicks

For the first time in 19 years, the Norfolk Panthers have beaten the Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks on the soccer pitch.

Taijuan Walker's 6 scoreless innings lead Phillies to 3-1 win, sweep of Rockies

Taijuan Walker's 6 scoreless innings lead Phillies to 3-1 win, sweep of Rockies

Taijuan Walker pitched six scoreless innings, Kyle Schwarber homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies 3-1.

WNCC’s Schul, Zwart headed to CSU-Pueblo

WNCC’s Schul, Zwart headed to CSU-Pueblo

Finja Schul and Lilly Zwart traveled across the two different oceans to play at Western Nebraska Community College.

Nebraska Red Dawgs headed to Junior Wheelchair Basketball Nationals

Nebraska Red Dawgs headed to Junior Wheelchair Basketball Nationals

12 junior athletes are representing Nebraska in the NWBA Wheelchair Basketball National Championships this weekend with a chance to bring home a tournament title. 

Wheeler whiffs 10 and Turner returns to lineup with 3 hits as Phillies top Rockies 5-1

Wheeler whiffs 10 and Turner returns to lineup with 3 hits as Phillies top Rockies 5-1

Zack Wheeler struck out 10 in seven sharp innings and Trea Turner had three hits in his return to the starting lineup as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-1.

Nik Graves leaving Charlotte for Creighton

Nik Graves leaving Charlotte for Creighton

Nik Graves will transfer to Creighton after leading Charlotte in scoring this season, and Mountain West freshman and defensive player of the year Magoon Gwath of San Diego State announced he would remove his name from the transfer portal.

Scottsbluff Public Schools pulls April Fools' prank with mascot switch to ‘Squirrels’

Scottsbluff Public Schools pulls April Fools' prank with mascot switch to ‘Squirrels’

Scottsbluff Public Schools sent shockwaves — and laughs — across the district Tuesday announcing they were ditching their beloved Bearcat mascot in favor of a more local alternative: the Squirrel.

Bynes Wins Field AOTY, Four Earn All-RMAC

Bynes Wins Field AOTY, Four Earn All-RMAC

Chayton Bynes added another honor to his trophy case when the sophomore was named the RMAC Men's Indoor Co-Field Athlete of the Year by the league office on Tuesday.

Long-time assistant named Columbus girls coach

Long-time assistant named Columbus girls coach

A Class A school is staying in house for its next girls basketball coach. 

Sandy Creek basketball head coach stepping down, replacement announced

Sandy Creek basketball head coach stepping down, replacement announced

Cole Wiseman is stepping down after four years at the helm of the Cougar boys and seven years with the school.

Landon Ferguson Tosses One-Hitter in Nebraska City Win Over Auburn

Landon Ferguson Tosses One-Hitter in Nebraska City Win Over Auburn

NEBRASKA CITY, NE - In a battle between the Auburn Bulldogs and Nebraska City Pioneers, it was all Nebraska City as they improved to 3-3 with a 10-0 run-rule win on Monday.

Eagles notes: Chadron State announces 2025 football schedule

Eagles notes: Chadron State announces 2025 football schedule

Chadron State athletics has officially announced its football schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, which features four home games, a Division I opponent and a Week 8 bye.