After winter sports programs have ended and spring sports programs begin, another outstanding Brookings-Harbor High School student athlete has been chosen Barron’s ‘Star Student Athlete’. Student athletes are selected by their coach’s for their outstanding efforts in the sports arena, as well as their exemplary scholastic and community participation.
This weeks selection comes to us from BHHS varsity wrestling head coach, Marco Thorson, a first, as a freshman female wrestler and a previous two time Star Student Athlete winner previously selected as a freshman in 2023, and as a junior in 2025, Lexie Newman, making her the first three time selection in the same sport.
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 works hard, putting herself in position to win, and has proven she can finish at the top going undefeated in regular season matches.” coach Thorsen said of Lexie her freshman year. Coach Thorson went on to say, after her Star Student Athlete selection last year that “Lexie is a leader in our mat room and sets a strong tone for our program, qualifying for state every year she has been on our team, and we are excited to Lexie’s senior year, and can’t wait to see what that will bring.”
Lexie is also a two sport varsity athlete, playing defense for head coach Brian Carlson’s varsity girls soccer team for the past four years all while participating in school leadership and carrying 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).
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.
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.
“Lexie has always stood out for her toughness, grit, passion and dedication to perfecting her abilities as a wrestler. She has been a joy to coach, and has done more than she can ever know for Brookings wrestling.” – Head Coach, Marco Thorson
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.
