Generals, Cardinals make good foes

Football rivalry spills into spring as the two titans of PIL track meet again

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, May 8, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Lincoln’s Ethan Johnson gives the shot another go Wednesday in a dual meet with Grant. The teams head to the district meet this week.

L.E. Baskow / Portland Tribune

Another in a long line of Grant-Lincoln showdowns takes place this week. PIL 6A track and field titles –and important spots in the state meet –are on the line.

The Generals and Cardinals, both deep in numbers and talent, figure to dominate the district meet today and Thursday at Lincoln, while Cleveland should roll in the 5A meet today at Marshall.

“The football rivalry with Grant carries over onto the track,” says Lincoln co-head coach Forrest Sherman, also the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.

The two schools have battled for first place in practically every sport this school year. Lincoln has won nine league championships; Grant has five firsts, with softball about to be its sixth title. Wilson broke through in wrestling and boys golf and is leading in baseball.

In boys track, Grant and Lincoln are “basically even” on the district meet form chart, Grant coach Greg Cotton says.

The Lincoln girls, led by state champion hurdler Bianca Mathabane, might have the edge at district – and could challenge for the state crown.

“Absolutely,” Lincoln co-coach Charlotte Richardson says. “From the first day we met, we’ve always said ‘district and state.’ But everybody has to be healthy and have a good day.”

Last week some tired bodies, bad weather and certain conflicts (Lincoln distance ace Marsha Lampi was busy taking an International Baccalaureate physics test, for example) made the Grant-Lincoln dual meet less of an all-out competition. Mathabane didn’t run the hurdles as Grant’s girls beat the Cards 79-62. The Generals rested some of their boys, and Lincoln won 81-64 at home.

“The stronger teams are probably the other way around,” Richardson says.

Just about every 6A event this week will be hotly contested, with relays and other runners likely to sizzle.

Defending city champs are Lincoln’s Jordan Polk (100, 200), Grant’s Karl Acker (400), Grant’s Will Goodling (800), Franklin’s Bryce Burgess (3,000), Benson’s Eric Bailey (both hurdles), Lincoln’s Elvis Akpla (long jump), Grant’s Paul McCoy (triple jump), Grant’s McCullough Crawford (discus), Lincoln’s Ethan Johnson (javelin), Grant’s Sara Wild (800, 1,500), Lampi (3,000) and Bianca Mathabane (both hurdles).

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