​Barstow High School celebrated its football program with a banquet on Saturday, May 23, 2026, unveiling the eagerly awaited CIF state championship rings. The moment marked a triumphant capstone to a season filled with hard work, dedication, and standout performances from the team. Jose Quintero of the Daily Press captured the scene, highlighting the pride and excitement that radiated through the gathered crowd.
Meanwhile, the city is in the thick of an exciting voting process for the Joe Orthodontics Multisport Athlete of the Year. This final round features the top five vote-getters from the pool of ten nominees, all chosen for their exceptional contributions across multiple sports. The High Desert once again showcased a remarkable array of student-athletes who shined throughout the school year, guiding their teams on fields, courts, tracks, and beyond.
From postseason dominance to league championships, CIF-Southern Section honors, and records broken along the way, these athletes demonstrated that their talents transcend a single season. In late 2025, Hesperia’s Xzavier Murgo made a notable play by sprinting upfield after a catch against Serrano, a game that Serrano ultimately won 36-35 in overtime, underscoring the competitive spirit that defines the region’s athletic scene.
To capture the community’s voice, we invited readers to help pick their favorite multisport varsity stars from ten High Desert high schools. The response was strong, with the first round tallying 8,210 votes across both the boys’ and girls’ polls. The celebration of Barstow football resonated nationwide, as coverage ahead of the vote highlighted the team’s recognition as the Joe Orthodontics High School Team of the Year.
The field was carefully narrowed to 12 finalists through a rigorous process that weighed all-league honors, postseason success, and the athletes’ overall impact across multiple sports. Though many compelling cases emerged, the final selections stood out because of a combination of honors, performance, and leadership.
Here are the finalists for the Joe Orthodontics Multisport Athlete of the Year. The first round of polls will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, and the winners will be revealed in a subsequent Q&A profile. There are no voting restrictions, so readers can participate as much as they like.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press, where the polls are open for readers to cast their votes for the Joe Orthodontics Multisport Athlete of the Year in an ongoing effort to recognize the region’s top multi-sport talents. The aim is to celebrate the breadth and depth of athletic excellence across the High Desert, honoring those who excel across venues and disciplines.