Ellery Lincoln left Hayward Field with an empty feeling after last year's 6A track and field championships.
Coming off a promising freshman season in 2024 – when she won the 6A title in the 1,500 meters and was runner-up in the 800 – Lincoln was plagued by a series of illnesses for the next year, stunting her improvement.
Five days before the 2025 state meet, she came down with a fever. She battled to third place in the 1,500 but pulled out of the 800 finals after posting the top time in prelims.
“It was a huge letdown, what happened at that meet,” she said. “That left me with a little bit of a hole in my heart. For a few weeks after, I was really bummed.”
Now healthy, Lincoln has had a stellar junior year for Lincoln. She won the 6A cross country title, setting a 6A record during the season. And she has had a track season for the ages, breaking state records in the 1,500 (4:12.16) and 3,000 (9:06.61) with times that rank first and second in the nation, respectively.
Much attention will be on the University of Oregon-bound Lincoln when she goes for titles in the 1,500 and 3,000 in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 6A championships Friday and Saturday at Hayward Field.
“To be able to come back, after the kind of season I've had, and be in a position to do something cool with a great team behind me, I'm just feeling a lot of gratitude,” Lincoln said. “I think it's going to be a really fun weekend.”
During a three-week stretch this season, Lincoln moved up to No. 3 on the state's all-time list in the 800 (2:05.21), clocked 4:30.00 to win the Elite Mile in the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays and set the state 3K record.
“It was special performance after special performance after special performance,” Lincoln coach Eric Dettman said. “It's a testament to her work ethic, to her resilience. I think all those things have helped develop her as a human, a teammate, a friend and a runner. We're seeing that all kind of come to fruition.
“To rise to the occasion, on a number of occasions, and to sometimes have to do it alone, it's hard to put into words.”
Shortly after the 2024 state meet, Lincoln contracted whooping cough. The violent coughing caused lingering issues that led to her seeing a specialist to fix her breathing mechanics.
She recovered by cross country season, placing third in the 6A meet. But in March 2025, when she landed in New York for Nike Indoor Nationals, she got pneumonia. The recovery wiped out the start of her sophomore track season, and just when she seemed to turn the corner, she got a fever before the state meet.
“It was just one after another,” Lincoln said.
Lincoln has taken a more proactive approach to supporting her immune system since last year. She said improving her sleep habits has been a key factor. She also touts the benefits of holistic acupuncture.
“It's been super amazing, just a breath of fresh air, just to be able to train normally,” she said. “It's not like there's been anything super magical or advanced about my training, but it's really telling about how important consistency is. Just being able to show up day to day, week after week, that's been the biggest thing.”
Lincoln said she was “disheartened and discouraged” by the repeated setbacks, but they did not thwart her competitive aspirations.
“I just had this belief, or understanding, that things were just going to work out how they were supposed to,” she said. “One thing I'm really proud of is my mindset. I never really stopped believing that I would accomplish my goals.”
Lincoln is a heavy favorite to win her races at state, but she probably won't be pushing to break records. She is more likely to cut loose in the Hoka Festival of Miles on June 4 in St. Louis, Mo., and the USATF U20 Championships on June 18-19 at Hayward Field.
“We're really trying to gear for U20s to see if she can make the U20 World team,” Dettman said.
Said Lincoln: “I'm just trying to keep in mind where I'm going to have my peak performance. I know I'm in good shape, it's just about where I want to show off that fitness.”
Record watch
Even if Lincoln does not threaten state records in her events, several other state marks could be in jeopardy at Hayward Field this week.
Newberg senior Sophia Castaneda broke the state record in the 400 this season, clocking 52.17. The Michigan-bound Castaneda will be going for a 6A repeat title in the event.
Churchill senior Addison Kleinke, who set the state record in the pole vault (14 feet, 0 ¾ inches) as a junior, will try for her fourth 5A title in the event. Nelson senior Kinsley Juliano, the two-time reigning 6A champion, is No. 4 all-time at 13-3.
The 6A Metro League rivals of Jesuit senior Iman Foster and Westview senior Saskia Dorf are pushing the state record in the triple jump (41-2 ¼, Maleigha Canaday-Elliott, McDaniel, 2024). Foster hit 40-11 last year and Dorf went 40-10 ½ this year, ranking them second and third in state history.
Caldera freshman Rikaiya Griffin became the second girl in state history to surpass 20 feet in the long jump by going 20-9 1/2. She still has a ways to go, however, to the state record of 22-4, set by Oregon City's Sophia Beckmon in 2023.
In boys competition, Tualatin senior Auralleus Hicks has run the 100 in 10.42, No. 4 in state history. The record is 10.21, set by Benson's Micah Williams in 2019.
Six of the all-time top 12 in the 200 are entered in the meet. Hicks, who ran 21.04 last summer, is the closest to Williams' record of 21.03, also established in 2019.
West Linn's 4x100 relay set the state record in the 6A Three Rivers League district meet last week, running 40.99 to clip Oregon City's 41.00 from last year. The Lions did it with juniors Will Hawkins and Cooper Roms and seniors Bellu Dior Vixamar and MJ Kennybrew.
Tualatin's 4x100 challenged West Linn at district, timing 41.01 with junior Johnathan Baker, senior Ethan Coddington, junior Cole Hachmeister and Hicks. The time is No. 3 in state history.
The 4x400 state record of 3:16.82. held by Benson since 1990, was nearly taken down by McNary (3:16.94) and West Salem (3:17.07) in the 6A Central Valley Conference district meet. The times rank second and third on the all-time list.
McNary's team is composed of senior Yosef Picazo, sophomore Adam Ellis and seniors Mason Bowlby and Joey Elston. West Salem's lineup is seniors Wislinder Hobbs, Elijah James, Jerett Peil and Anders Hagen.
OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union track and field championships, Hayward Field
3A, 2A, 1A -- Thursday, Friday
6A, 5A, 4A -- Friday, Saturday
An overview of the top athletes:
(**two-time champion) (***three-time champion)
Girls
6A
Returning past champions: Sophia Castaneda, Newberg, sr. (400); Kinsley Juliano, Nelson, sr. (pole vault**); Saskia Dorf, Westview, sr. (long jump); Iman Foster, Jesuit, sr. (triple jump); Marissa Johnson, Tigard, sr. (shot***, discus**); Ellery Lincoln, Lincoln, jr. (1,500 in 2024); Aster Jones, Roosevelt, sr. (100**, 200); Emma Brewer, Sprague, sr. (2A triple jump in 2023); Tayanah Balensifer, West Linn, sr. (1A pole vault and high jump in 2024)
6A season bests in multiple events: Aster Jones, Roosevelt, sr. (100, 200); Ellery Lincoln, Lincoln, jr. (1,500, 3,000); Marissa Johnson, Tigard, sr. (shot, discus); Saskia Dorf, Westview, sr. (long jump, triple jump)
2025 team scores: Jesuit 54.5, West Linn 52, Tigard 43.5, Roosevelt 43
5A
Returning past champions: Pharalynn Dickson, South Albany, sr. (100***,200***, 400***); Amber Green, Dallas, jr. (800); Cricket Phipps, North Eugene, sr. (1,500); Brooklyn Anderson, Thurston, sr. (100 hurdles); Abella Leder, Canby, sr. (300 hurdles); Alana Allen, Centennial, sr. (high jump); Addison Kleinke, Churchill, sr. (pole vault***, long jump); James Heinly, Caldera, jr. (triple jump)
5A season bests in multiple events: Pharalynn Dickson, South Albany, sr. (100, 200, 400); Brynn Davenport, Crater, jr. (1,500, 3,000)
2025 team scores: Caldera 70, South Albany 56, Crescent Valley 48, Crater 47
4A
Returning past champions: Clara Moore, Astoria, soph. (triple jump); Brooke Perry, La Grande, sr. (3,000 in 2023, 2024); Sydney Baker, Mazama, sr. (100 hurdles and 300 hurdles in 2023); Sierra Sauers, Marshfield, sr. (1A discus)
4A season bests in multiple events: Sammy Gressley, Baker, sr. (100, 200, 400, long jump); Mackenzie Ball, Molalla, soph. (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Kate Norton, Baker, soph. (shot, discus)
2025 team scores: Philomath 80, La Grande 69.5, Cascade 52, Crook County 39
3A
Returning past champions: Claire Johnson, Vale, sr. (100, 200); Sam Shepard, Westside Christian, sr. (400**); Sophie Schoolmeester, Banks, sr. (800***, 1,500**); Laney Lee, Taft, sr. (100 hurdles); Kylie Leonard, Creswell, sr. (300 hurdles); Bella Vargas, Blanchet Catholic, soph. (long jump); Paige Owens, Lakeview, sr. (triple jump); Danin Lacouture, Siuslaw, sr. (shot); Hadley Hughes, Dayton, jr. (javelin; 2A shot in 2024); Ada Millet, Coquille, sr. (300 hurdles in 2024); Ella Bulkley, Catlin Gabel, sr. (200 in 2024); Ryan Thomas, Pleasant Hill, sr. (100 in 2024)
3A season bests in multiple events: Sophie Schoolmeester, Banks, sr. (800, 1,500); Sydney Schreiber, La Pine, jr. (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump)
2025 team scores: Creswell 56, Banks 55, Vale 44, Valley Catholic 39
2A
Returning past champions: Mili Estrada, Portland Christian, sr. (100 hurdles); Marley Petrey, Bandon, sr. (300 hurdles***, 100 in 2024); Liv Curry, Dephian, sr. (high jump); Kasey Zuidema, Crosshill Christian, jr. (shot); Caitlyn Michalek, Bandon, sr. (javelin**); Lacey Willis, Clatskanie, jr. (high jump in 2024); Lexy Kauffman, East Linn Christian, sr. (200 in 2024); Owyhee Harguess, Enterprise, sr. (400 in 2023)
2A season bests in multiple events: Marley Petrey, Bandon, sr. (100, 200, 300 hurdles, triple jump); Owyhee Harguess, Enterprise, sr. (4,00, 800); Kasey Zuidema, Crosshill Christian, jr. (shot, discus, javelin); Enterprise (4x100, 4x400)
2025 team scores: Bandon 91, Salem Academy 64.5, East Linn Christian 56, Heppner 49
1A
Returning past champions: Lindsay Talbot, Harper Charter, jr. (triple jump**, 100 hurdles**, 300 hurdles**); Kiara Rios, Adrian, sr. (400); Melody Stock, Trout Lake (Wash.), jr. (1,500); Lilly Weer, Joseph, soph. (3,000); Annie Rose Miller, Joseph, sr. (pole vault**); Danika Bushnell, Powers, jr. (javelin); Samara Baker, Triangle Lake, sr. (100 hurdles and 300 hurdles in 2023)
1A season bests in multiple events: Lindsay Talbot, Harper Charter, jr. (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump, triple jump); Kiara Rios, Adrian, sr. (100, 200, 400); Melody Stock, Trout Lake (Wash.), jr. (800, 1,500); Jude Royer, Echo, jr. (shot, discus); Imbler (4x100, 4x400)
2025 team scores: Imbler 71, Joseph 65, Harper Charter 40, Trout Lake (Wash.) 36
Boys
6A
Returning past champions: Paul Hretcanu, Tigard, jr. (800); Braxton Singleton, North Salem, sr. (110 hurdles); Calvin Stewart, South Salem, sr. (high jump); Eric Cozart Jr., Jefferson, sr. (long jump); Greyson Murff, Lincoln, jr. (discus); Derek Olivo, McNary, jr. (javelin); Malachi Schoenherr, Sheldon, sr. (3,000 in 2024)
6A season bests in multiple events: Julian Palm, Aloha, sr. (200, 400); Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene, jr. (800, 1,500); Derek Olivo, McNary, jr. (discus, javelin)
2025 team scores:Jesuit 66, Lincoln 62, Sheldon 39, Tigard 35
5A
Retuning past champions: Trace Chenoweth, Summit, jr. (110 hurdles); Nathan Lindbloom, Crater, sr. (javelin**)
5A season bests in multiple events: Bertram Latta, Dallas, soph. (shot, discus)
2025 team scores: Caldera 80, Corvallis 69, Crater 58, Summit 41
4A
Returning past champions: Joseph Janney, Henley, sr. (100, 200); Corbin Sage, Marist Catholic, jr. (1,500); Aaidyn Bokuro, Newport, sr. (triple jump); Kaleb Moore, Junction City, sr. (shot**)
4A season bests in multiple events: Joseph Janney, Henley, sr. (100, 200); Jaxson Stovall, Marshfield, sr. (1,500, 3,000); Henley (4x100, 4x400)
2025 team scores: Crook County 78, Henley 74, Marist Catholic 46, Scappoose 42, The Dalles 42
3A
Returning past champions: Liam Gibson, Neah-Kah-Nie, sr. (800); Teddy Ratliff, Catlin Gabel, sr. (pole vault); Ronan Gantzos, Oregon Episcopal, sr. (3,000 and 1,500 in 2024); Amin Diani, Banks, sr. (800 in 2024)
3A season bests in multiple events: Brady Mason, Oregon Episcopal, jr. (200, 400); Ronan Gantzos, Oregon Episcopal, sr. (1,500, 3,000); Parker Singhose, Burns, sr. (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles)
2025 team scores: Siuslaw 89, Burns 88, Valley Catholic 62, Cascade Christian 54
2A
Returning past champions: Oli Beauregard, Delphian, jr. (100, 110 hurdles); Kaydon Haro, Culver, sr. (200); Wyatt Jacobson, Knappa, sr. (1,500, 3,000); Noah Brown, Bandon, jr. (pole vault); Wyatt Parsons, Weston-McEwen, sr. (long jump); Landon Reid, Columbia Christian, sr. (discus); Hayden Arthur, Columbia Christian, sr. (javelin)
2A season bests in multiple events: Wyatt Parsons, Weston-McEwen, sr. (100, 200); Wyatt Jacobson, Knappa, sr. (1,500, 3,000); Oli Beauregard, Delphian, jr. (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Ryder Howard, East Linn Christian, soph. (high jump, long jump, triple jump), Culver (4x100, 4x400)
2025 team scores: Delphian 84, Illinois Valley 67, Knappa 52, Columbia Christian 48
1A
Returning past champions: Josiah Gaither, St. Stephen's Academy, sr. (100); Gavin Anderson, Damascus Christian, jr. (200); Elijah Davidson, Damascus Christian, jr. (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Levi Schell, Damascus Christian, sr. (long jump)
1A season bests in multiple events: Elijah Davidson, Damascus Christian, jr. (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Isaac Walker, Harper Charter, sr. (100, long jump)
2025 team scores: Damascus Christian 70, Adrian 63, Joseph 59.5, Union 59
jerryu@osaa.org
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