Oregon lands one of nation's top high school distance runners ahead of schedule

Renowned high school distance runner Ellery Lincoln from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, is set to transition to college athletics ahead of the traditional schedule. Lincoln, a senior, will graduate early and join the University of Oregon in January, foregoing her final high school track and field season to compete for the Ducks in the 2026-27 indoor competition. This news was initially reported by DyeStat and later corroborated by the Eugene Register-Guard, as part of the USA TODAY Network.

Lincoln expressed gratitude for the thoughtful decision-making process, stating that the people around her ensured her choice was not self-destructive. She emphasized her confidence in the path ahead, supported by her dedicated circle of supporters. Her decision follows a stellar high school track career, which included securing a second consecutive OSAA Class 6A state championship in a course-record time of 16 minutes, 57.6 seconds at Lane Community College.

Lincoln holds state records in the 1,500 meters (4:07.06), mile (4:27.65), and 3,000 meters (9:06.61), and shattered the state's all-time 5K record earlier this fall.

Her achievements have transcended the high school level. In her junior year, Lincoln placed eighth at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, competing against a more experienced field, and later earned a fifth-place finish at the World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field. She committed to Oregon in October 2025, a move that positions her as a formidable addition to the Ducks' distance program, which recently clinched the Big Ten Women's Cross Country Championship.

The early start to her collegiate career places Lincoln among the elite young distance runners, poised to begin her transition from a high school standout to a collegiate competitor.