With the 2024/25 school year now complete, the now third installment of the Barron’s Home Furnishings ‘Star Student Athlete of the Year’ program has been added to the archives.
Student athletes are selected throughout the school year by their coach’s for their outstanding efforts in the sports arena, as well as their exemplary scholastic and community participation, and the newly added ‘Star Student Athlete of the Year’ is selected from those selections during the 2025/26 school year selections.
This years ‘Star Student Athlete of the Year’ selection is senior, Lexi Newman, selected by BHHS Bruins wrestling coach Marco Thorson for her unprecedented success in the Bruins wrestling program. Lexi was also a two sport varsity athlete, receiving All-State honors as defender her senior year participating in BHHS soccer coach Brian Carlson soccer program for four years.
“Lexie always stood out to me for her ability to understand the sport of wrestling.” coach Thorson told the Compass. “The coaching conversations we had were at the highest level of any wrestler I have coached. She had an awareness of her wrestling that is uncommon, and usually not achieved until late in a wrestler’s career. We would talk over her matches, and I felt like I was talking to another coach due to her deep level of understanding of the sport.”
Now a three time Star Student Athlete winner previously selected as a freshman in 2023, and as a junior in 2025, and again as a senior in 2026, while participating in school leadership, Lexi carried a cumulative 3.58 GPA over her four years in courses including College Literature and Composition, Medical Terminology, Economics, Chemistry, and Work- Based Learning (medical).
Newman, who has been a team captain all four years, was this year’s 1A/2A/3A/4A state champion for girls wrestling 130 lbs, was the 2024 district champion, placed four times in state competition, placing 3rd 2023, 5th in 2024, 3rd in 2025, and 1st in 2026 and finished her senior year with commanding 31-3 record.
Lexie recorded over 100 varsity wins in her high school career and placed in every tournament she entered throughout her high school career as well as a team captain all four years. For the majority of her high school career she has been the only girl on our wrestling team, having to practice with our boys and compete alone in girls tournaments. Lexie received numerous outstanding wrestler awards at tournaments competed in and is the first ever girls wrestling state champion from Brookings, and our first state champion in 22 years.
“When Lexie stepped onto a wrestling mat in second grade, we never could have imagined the incredible journey that lay ahead.” Lexie’s Mom, Tiffanie Newman told the Compass. “Introduced to wrestling by her best friends father, Bernard Ortiz, Lexie quickly fell in love with the sport and developed a determination the has inspired everyone around her. Wrestling has given Lexie so much more than athletic accomplishments, and we are thrilled to watch her begin the chapter of her wrestling career at Treasure Valley Community College.”
“It was a joy to coach Lexie. After she won her state title many coaches approached me to congratulate her, citing matches that they remembered her from going all the way back to middle school and club wrestling, she has the drive, determination, grit, skill and character to continue to be successful in wrestling at the next level and in life beyond wrestling. She made an impact on her team, community, family, opponents, and their coaches. She will be greatly missed in our program, and we wish her all the best at the next level.” – BHHS Bruins wrestling coach Marco Thorson.
After receiving offers to wrestle in college at Southern Oregon University, Umpqua Community College (Who also offered her for soccer), Graceland University, Doane University, and Southwestern Oregon Community College, and taking official visits to Graceland University, Southern Oregon University, and Treasure Valley Community College, Lexie has chosen to attend Treasure Valley Community College in Eastern Oregon next year to continue her wrestling career and start working toward a career in the medical field, either as a physical therapist or an occupational therapist.
Congratulations Lexie, we are confident that you will continue to excel in any future endeavors you should choose to pursue.
Special thanks to corporate sponsor Barron’s Home Furnishings, who make this recognition possible through out the year.
We would also like to Thank and ask our readers to support the local businesses who generously donated to the award bouquet presented to the parents for the dedication and support throughout the years to their “Star Student Athlete”.
