Photo Credit: Will Shean
Name: Judson Lincoln IV
School: Oakland Mills HS
What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment? Why is that?
Winning the 100m dash this year because I got my revenge for last year getting third and breaking the 200m record made all the pain and triumph I had to go through worth it. Also proved to myself and other people that I'm a legit runner that's gonna be hard to beat. also in 2021 when I pointed at the line it was one of the funniest moments I had in my career
Was there a certain moment or breakthrough race/meet when you realized you would be able to compete at a high level?
At the AAU Junior Olympics in 2020 during the COVID year, I wasn't supposed to make the 100m and 200m finals and I was seeded 8th in the 400m. But, I won the 400m and got 7th in the 100m and 200m. I was disappointed in the times I got in the 1 and 2 but the meet as a whole helped me realize that I can be a legit runner.
What are some bumps in the road that you've encountered when it comes to training for different events during the season?
during the COVID year before the AAU Junior Olympics, I had to take a month off because of a back injury but in the indoor national championships time frame in 2021 I hurt my hamstring really bad and was out for 6-8 weeks and it was really frustrating because I knew I could go win the 400m and it was very hard with me to deal with.
If you are writing a letter to your younger freshman self, what advice might you give them?
I would tell my younger self to stay off of Instagram and social media as a whole and work in silence and let the times show for themselves. Nobody cares when you're at the track or what times you are running at meets.
What are your post-high school or college plans? If Running in college, explain why you picked that school.
I'm running at Virginia Tech and I chose the school because 1. It'll be in the acc so I'll have good competition 2. I love the coach and the teammates were very nice and welcoming 3. The facilities are great and like the vibe of the campus
What is your favorite pre-race snack, tradition, etc.?
If I run early in the morning (1pm and before) I can't eat anything because I will throw up
Name the top Maryland Cross Country or Track moment(s) you have witnessed. Could be by the level of greatness or just something that really stood out to you.
How Oakland mills won states with a record amount of points indoor and outdoor for 2022
Who would you like to say "thank you" to?
my father for coaching me my whole life
my mom for supporting me and always recording my race videos
Coach Brewington and Coach Gonzales for helping develop me at Oakland Mills
And my friend group which is called "4di" for always having my back
Is there anything else you would like to mention that stands out over the past 4 years?
I'm really proud of how far I've come and how much I've accomplished and such little time and I do think I'm the best runner who's ever come out of Maryland and I wanna keep this momentum to push me to do well in college and show I'm not a high school goat and that I'm here to stay. It is amazing how if you stay persistent and patient success will lean in your favor.