Jesse Newell to join KC Star team as new reporter for Kansas Jayhawks sports

The Star has hired Jesse Newell as its new beat writer for Kansas Jayhawks sports.

Newell, 32, comes to The Star from the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he currently covers KU. His writing has won numerous awards since he joined the Capital-Journal in 2013, including beat writer of the year in the most recent Associated Press Sports Editors contest.

Newell is also the co-author, with former Star writer Jason King, of “Beyond the Phog,” an inside look at former KU basketball players.

He was previously the online editor for the Lawrence Journal-World. He started his career at the Emporia Gazette.

A KU graduate who makes his home in Lawrence, Newell will make his official start at The Star on Feb. 14.

Follow him on Twitter at @jessenewell.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Jesse Newell to join KC Star team as new reporter for Kansas Jayhawks sports."