Alta soccer star Lexe Selman fighting leukemia

Alta senior Lexe Selman, a captain on the Hawks soccer team that won a Class 5A state title this past season, is now in the fight of her life after being diagnosed with leukemia last month.

Several media outlets have reported on the soccer star's battle with the disease, and she's already started chemotherapy. Alta coach Lee Mitchell said in an interview with the Tribune that it's been a difficult time for the school community, but so far Selman is approaching her treatment with a positive attitude.

"She's a tough kid," Mitchell said. "I know she's struggling, but she hangs in there."

The news was a shock to the Arizona-committed Selman and scores of her friends and classmates at Alta. Mitchell said since the diagnosis, Selman has gotten a steady stream of visitors and support while she goes through her treatment at Primary Children's Hospital.

Many of her schoolmates have been wearing orange, the color to show support for leukemia patients, and the boy's soccer team will be wearing orange armbands throughout the season. The Alta baseball team played a game last week with armbands bearing No. 13, Selman's number.

Selman's family began a blog to chronicle her journey through her leukemia treatment called "Lexe Kicks Leukemia." Through the website, they've released several promising updates on her condition, such as it appears she won't need a bone marrow transplant.

The family has also acknowledge that the Arizona soccer team has agreed to honor Selman's scholarship — whenever she's medically fit to play, she can rejoin the team as well.

Selman was one of the top soccer players in the state last season, finishing with 22 goals and making the Tribune's first all-state team for 5A. Mitchell said he was pleased that the Wildcats were standing so firmly behind a player who has shown toughness on and off the field.

"It's nice that they would do that," Mitchell said. "She might not be back for a while — we don't know for sure — but I hope it is soon."

We will have more on this story in the coming days.

Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon