Sports

CCHS to return bulk of team’s lineup this season Big things are on the horizon for the Central City softball team as they head into the 20252026 season with enough talent and experience to make a deep postseason run. Coming off of an 18-17 season where the Bison came up just short of a state tournament berth after falling to Guardian Angels Central Catholic in the District C-3 final, Central City is set to return all but one starter to the diamond this year.

The Central City Track Club wrapped up its 2025 season last week with an end-of-the-year celebration—and this year, there was more to celebrate than ever before. Five athletes made the journey to Savannah, Georgia, for the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, and for the first time in club history, coaches Natalie and Andrew Pearson were on hand to guide their athletes at the meet.

When Central City’s Ace Schweitzer won the Class B 106-pound state title last February in Omaha, he didn’t pause to bask in the glory or daydream about a break. Instead, when asked what was next, his answer was as focused and fearless as his wrestling: “I’m coming for a stop sign.” And that’s exactly what he did. This July, Schweitzer stepped onto the mats at the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, and left with one of the most respected honors in the sport: a Top 8 All-American finish—and the coveted stop sign-shaped plaque awarded to the nation’s elite.

The Merrick County Fair added a jolt of adrenaline to its Tuesday lineup as Extreme Bull Riding rolled into town. With it came a wave of young competitors from across the country—each chasing glory, prize money, and the pure thrill of trying to hold on for eight grueling seconds atop some of the toughest bulls around.

With the stakes high and the summer heat rising, the Central City Track Club made their presence felt at the USATF Region 8 Championships held July 5–7 in Ames, Iowa. Facing top-tier competition from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas, 19 athletes representing Central City competed in 57 events. When the final event concluded, 10 athletes from the club had officially qualified for the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, to be held July 21–27 in Savannah, Georgia.

The Central City 12U Green baseball team put together a dominant run through the 2025 summer season, finishing undefeated and securing the league championship with a perfect 12-0 record. The team opened the year on May 16 with a 17-11 road win over Polk County and followed it up just days later with an 18-3 victory in the home rematch.

The Stampede 10U softball team wrapped up its summer season with an impressive performance at the 2025 Class D State Tournament, finishing as the runner-up after winning four of six games over a three-day stretch.

Just days after last year’s team was honored for their unforgettable state championship run, the current Central City Post #6 Juniors squad added another chapter to the program’s growing legacy, clinching their third consecutive Mid-Nebraska League title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Holdrege on Sunday.

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