Athlete of the Month: Ruby Julien-Newsom

Joy Ma, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Longform • March 10, 2025

Ruby Julien-Newsom (12), March female Athlete of the Month, stands triumphant as the referee presents her as the winner. At the CIF State Championship on Feb. 6, Julien-Newsom was ranked the No. 2 wrestler in the state and No. 22 in the country. Photo courtesy of Ruby Julien-Newsom.

Ruby Julien-Newsom (12) solidified her legacy on the school’s varsity wrestling team with a historic season. Awarded March’s female Athlete of the Month, Julien-Newsom’s relentless drive and perseverance propelled her to the top of California’s wrestling ranks, making her a state finalist, three-time All-American and the 22nd-ranked wrestler in the country.

Julien-Newsom’s season was filled with standout achievements, including first-place finishes at the Reno Tournament of Champions, Queen of the Beach, CIF Division I Regionals and Masters, all leading up to her long-awaited CIF State Championship performance in Bakersfield on Feb. 26. She concluded the wrestling season as a California state finalist, finishing second in state and ranked 22nd in the country with a record of 41-3 against girls and 4-1 against boys.

However, Julien-Newsom’s rise to the top was anything but easy.

After falling short of qualifying for state during her sophomore and junior years, reaching the finals as a senior was a hard-earned triumph, according to Julien-Newsom.

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“I finally started seeing the success this season that I had worked so hard for,” Julien-Newsom said.

She wrestled year-round in the off-season, attending camps, competing in multiple brackets and training rigorously, even facing male opponents to push her limits.

“It’s about being dedicated, always striving for improvement and representing your team,” Julien-Newsom said.

That mindset fueled her ascent from an unranked wrestler to No. 2 in the state.

“I often doubt myself and wonder if I deserve this ranking,” Julien-Newsom said. “But returning home as a state finalist, I realized that success isn’t about being flawless — it’s about perseverance and never giving up.”

Beyond her individual accomplishments, Julien-Newsom helped make history for her team. The team defeated long-time rivals La Costa Canyon High School to secure its first league championship, a milestone that “really put [the team] on the map.”

Julien-Newsom pins her opponent. Her record this season was 41-3 against girls and 4-1 against boys. Photo courtesy of Ruby Julien-Newsom.

“Ruby works harder than anybody in the wrestling room,” Michael Bigrigg, varsity wrestling head coach, said. “She comes to practice every day and lifts for two hours every day. To me, she is the most hard-working wrestler in the state.”

As a female wrestler in a male-dominated sport, Julien-Newsom has faced her share of obstacles. Though girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in the country, according to Julien-Newsom, opportunities within the sport remain limited. Varsity girls wrestlers, for instance, cannot contribute to team scores in league competition. Julien-Newsom frequently competes in the boys’ varsity lineup, proving female wrestlers deserve the same respect and recognition.

“Ruby is the first wrestler to ever place in state from Torrey Pines,” Bigrigg said. “She works hard and is our starting 132 pounder on varsity for boys. That’s something really incredible.”

After high school, Julien-Newsom plans to wrestle freestyle this spring, aiming to qualify for Fargo Nationals and represent Team California. While she hopes to wrestle at the collegiate level, she faces a tough decision — finding a university that offers both a strong women’s wrestling program and a civil engineering major.

When asked for advice for younger athletes, Julien-Newsom said: “Dream big, work hard and believe in yourself. Never strive for perfection; always strive for improvement. Don’t be in such a hurry to get to your goals, instead, enjoy the journey, appreciating the memories and friends you make along the way.”

With her historic season behind her and an exciting future ahead, Julien-Newsom has cemented her legacy as one of the school’s all-time greats — on and off the mat.

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About the Contributor

Joy Ma, Asst. Editor-in-Chief, Long-form

Did you know that frogs were the first land animals with vocal cords? TPHS’ biggest frog fanatic, Joy Ma, embodies the calm, adaptive and curious nature of her favorite amphibians as she steps into her role as Assistant Editor-in-Chief for her third year on the Falconer. Born and raised in Hong Kong and fluent in three languages, Ma brings a global perspective and a unique voice to the team. Chiefly the epitome of wanderlust, Ma has traveled to over 12 countries, her favorite travel spot being Toledo, Spain, where she was captivated by the intricate damasquinados. For her senior year at TPHS, Ma is eager to elevate the paper’s storytelling and continue to foster a dynamic, inclusive newsroom environment. Outside the newsroom, Ma is an avid reader with a particular fondness for Mary Oliver, Ocean Vuong and Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Brothers Karamazov is the greatest book of all time — do not even attempt to fight her on this). When she’s not buried nose-deep in a book or working on the newspaper, you’ll likely find her spending humorously large amounts of hours on Pinterest searching for future home inspiration or unique outfit combinations. Looking to the future, Ma is excited to continue her journey of growth and exploration and cannot wait to make lifelong memories with her favorite “Falconerds.”