Prior to Illinois State: Lexi is a four-year varsity, softball athlete and a four-year volleyball, athlete at Illini Bluffs high school. Brinkman led her high school softball team in RBIs as a junior, as well as hit 11 home runs, and earned Second-Team All State, First-Team All Conference, and First-Team All Area honors. In her sophomore year, she earned Second-Team All State honors and an All-Conference team selection. During Brinkman's freshman year, not only did she earn MVP honors in the state softball semifinal game, but helped to lead her to team to the State Championship victory.

Travel Team: Lexi has played for the Peoria Sluggers, coached by Renee Gass, and the IL 16U Premier Fastpitch, coached by Dale Boyer.

Personal: She is the daughter of Darin and Kimberly Brinkman, and has one sibling, Aubrey. Her mother, Kimberly, was a dual-sport athlete, and ran track for St. Ambrose while also playing basketball. Her sister, Aubrey, currently runs track and field for Lewis University. Brinkman chose Illinois State because of the comfort of being close to family and friends, the softball team, and the notoriety of the education program. She plans to major in Physical Education.