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Varsity wrestler Wilson Campbell is front and center with his team members. Courtesy of Sarah Quist

The girls and boys cross country teams both placed in the top five in the state championships, with the girls taking first place and the boys placing fourth overall. 

Football and girls and boys soccer all finished top three in the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) and volleyball finished their season strong with two back-to-back 3-0 wins over Jefferson and Roosevelt High School. 

While fall sports ended on a victory streak, the doors to indoor winter sports opened. There are new coaches, new practice hours and players looking to make injury comebacks.

Boys basketball will tip off on December 6 against the Grants Pass Cavemen. The Cardinals will try to secure a win over the Cavemen like their 65-58 win last year.

Senior Tayo Abodunrin has been preparing for the 2024-2025 season since the end of last season. Abodunrin said last season went pretty well for his team and he is looking to improve every practice. 

“Well, we have a lot of new players on the team, especially on varsity. I think we’re just looking to be competitive,” said Abondunrin. 

Abodunrin said off-season training was vital for him and became intense this fall. 

“[I] just practiced by myself in spring and summer and then with the team when we started playing a fall basketball league,” said Abondunrin. 

The other four players on the court by Abondunrin’s side, help contribute to the team’s success. 

“[The team] work[s] really hard, especially [Sophomore] Kai [Lindsey]. I think they are all getting better and looking to make the team better as well. They’re all dedicated guys.”

A big change for girls basketball is a new head coach, Brent Reed, along with a whole new coaching staff. 

Sophomore Hannah Greene thinks the new coaching staff will add to the team’s chemistry. 

“The team culture is good. We are still adjusting to a whole new coaching staff and we are excited to see what this season brings.”

New coaching brings adjustments to all aspects of the game and an opportunity and necessity for athletes to show their skills. Greene said relationships are also important.

“I think that team relationships are a big part of how you do in the sport and so if we all get along and have a good off-court relationship, it’ll translate over to how we play and connect on the court,” said Greene.

Like Abondunrin, Greene values off-season training.

“I play club and they’ve helped me stay in shape and stay busy over the summer and last spring,” said Greene. 

Staying motivated can be a struggle for student-athletes as winter sports collide with finals week and are in the peak of winter depression, so Green highlighted having a stable support system.

“My main support and motivation comes from my family, teammates, and coaches,” said Greene, “they are always there for me and know what I’m going through.”

Lincoln girls basketball will commence on Dec. 6  when they face the Westview Wildcats At Westview High School. 

Boys wrestling will have their first match on Dec. 7 at Oregon City High School. 

Junior Wilson Campbell is looking forward to making a comeback after suffering a concussion mid-season last school year. 

“I’m looking forward to my tournaments. I’m trying to [place in each tournament] and stay healthy this year. We are starting our season today and I’m excited,” said Campbell. 

Wrestling is an individual sport, but Campbell emphasizes that the team also has a strong community. 

“We still do work together in a way because depending on how you do [in the match], that’s how you affect your team. [Your teammates] will gather around and your coaches in your corner are yelling at you, good things, all good things of course,” said Campbell. 

Campbell said as a wrestler he’s learned how to push back against challenges.

“[Failing] definitely makes me mad; I’ll get mad when I can’t do something, but it motivates me to push harder, and at least for wrestling, it won’t make me give up,” said Campbell.

The boys and girls wrestling team has 12 meets scheduled and is hopeful that they will compete in PIL districts in February. 

This year, Lincoln’s swim team will be getting two-hour practices, compared to one-hour practices last year, since the Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) has give  them more access to the pool. 

Sophomore Maddy Obadiah says the MAC has given her opportunities to meet new friends and create good relationships with teammates. 

“Last season was really fun. I met a lot of new people and it was the first season that I started to go to swim meets,” said Obadiah. 

With this upcoming season, Obadiah is looking forward to pushing herself. 

“I am looking forward to going to the meets and hopefully, I’ll PR in the 50 free[style] and maybe the 100 breast [stroke],” said Obadiah. 

Like wrestling, swimming is an individual sport, but there is still a lot of teamwork that helps athletes accomplish their goals. 

“With swimming, you wouldn’t think that there’s much teamwork, but we do a lot of relays so you must be in communication with the rest of your team members,” said Obadiah.

The Lincoln swim teams will compete in their season opener on Dec 14 at the Lincoln Tournament. 

Lincoln’s fall sports are set to rest until next year and during their slumber we’ll see what is in store for Lincoln’s winter athletes. 

Disclosure: This reporter is Kai Lindsey’s sister.