Drawing primarily from Sterling, Rock Falls, and Dixon, but also from cities such as Oregon and Amboy.

The Newman Comets boys' football team, known as "The Blue Machine," won the IHSA State Championship in 1990, 1994, 2004, 2010, 2013, and 2019 and placed second in 1993 and 1998.

Coach "Papo" Papoccia led the team to their first five IHSA State Championships, before his eventual retirement in 2018.

[7] A few years later in the 2012-2013 season, Newman Cross Country went on a seven year streak of team appearances at the IHSA State Championship, with the team being led by such names as Bryson Reyes, Drew Rosengren, Chris Ahlers, Spencer Mauch, and Shay Hafner.

[10] In 2018 the Newman boys basketball team placed third at the IHSA Class 1A state championships.