It isn’t just Malad locals that have come to love and admire the Dragon athletes.  As Malad’s players have taken to the court, field, and course, admirers from around the state and beyond have recognized the talent, dedication, heart and grit these MHS athletes compete with.  Recently, the Idaho State Journal celebrated the standout athletes from across southeastern Idaho, including a number of Dragon athletes. 

Tuesday, May 5, a large crowd of MHS athletes, coaches, parents, and fans gathered in attendance for the Idaho State Journal Sports Stars awards.  Several teams, individuals, and coaches had been nominated for various awards and waited with anticipation to see just who would be highlighted as a standout star.

In each sports season, three well deserving teams or individuals from all classes reported and represented by the Idaho State Journal (ISJ) were nominated for each award.  The strong 2025-2026 athletic year proved to be a successful year for the MHS athletes, something clearly demonstrated as each season named multiple Malad standouts as nominees.

Beginning in the fall season, Tia Talbot, head coach of boys and girls cross country team, and Camie Tripp, MHS head volleyball coach, were nominated for fall girls coach of the year.  With two district and state championships earned by her team, it wasn’t all too surprising to see Coach Talbot awarded the honor.  The historic state championships also put both the boys and girls cross country teams up for nominations as the fall boys and girls teams of the year, awards they proudly received. 

Cross country star Bostyn Burbidge and volleyball favorite Izzy Haycock were nominated in their sports as the individual player of the year.

The Lady Dragon state basketball champion team was nominated as one of the teams to receive the winter girls team of the year against two other deserving teams.  But with their standout championship run, undefeated conference play and 24-2 record, it was the MHS team crowned the ISJ winter girls team of the year.  At the end of the night, it was the Lady Dragons that were named the Girls Team of the Year. 

Girls basketball head coach Trevor Jones was nominated for the winter girls coach of the year, highlighting the development he made in the program that went from a season without any wins to a state championship.  Devin Morrison was nominated as the boys wrestling coach of the year after he took the MHS team to their third straight wrestling championship in a row.  Drake Morrison was also recognized as a standout wrestler, nominated for the boys wrestler of the year while Izzy Haycock was nominated for the girls basketball player of the year.

Spring star awards included nominations for Malad softball head coach Bri Adams who continued the dynasty she inherited, winning the 14th consecutive district championship, as well her girls softball team.  Their counterpart, the MHS baseball team was also nominated as the boys spring team of the year.  With both teams in the midst of dominating seasons, Malad’s softball and baseball teams were both awarded as the girls/boys spring teams of the year.

With so many nominations and awards, it was hardly surprising when Malad was chosen as the 2025-2026 school of the year.  These awards and moments of recognition were well deserved by the MHS teams, coaches and athletes who put in hours of work and made countless sacrifices for their sport.