By Lola Snopkowski

Flag

Last year, Lincoln girls flag football made history by winning the very first Flag Football Turkey Bowl, as the sport was in its first official season in SFUSD. 

This year, girls flag football fell short in their attempts to defend their Turkey Bowl title, finishing with a 4-5 overall record. 

This record was not a good reflection of the effort and heart this team had. Most of their losses were within one touchdown and were very close games. 

Junior Ramya Reeves states, “Even though our records don't show us doing as well as last year, I feel like the way we played defense was really strong.” 

One of their really tight games was against Lowell, when they lost in overtime 0-6 after being tied 0-0 for the entirety of the game. 

Junior Mishell Cardona remains optimistic, stating, “We ended up losing in overtime by a touchdown, but it was a great loss; we only get better from now on.”

This positivity was another reason this team was able to have such close games. They never gave up and always put up a good fight, no matter what.

One of the major differences between this team and last year's team was the players. Most of the people from the previous year had been playing the sport for a while, whereas this year, there were many new players. 

They also had a lot more interest in the sport last year and even had to make many cuts to get to a 30-girl roster, whereas this year, they could only afford to make one cut because they only had 24 people.

They also lost their senior quarterback, so the team often switched quarterbacks throughout the season, struggling to find one that worked well with their offense. 

Team dynamics is something often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in a team's success. This team was like family and was always there for each other on and off the field. 

One highlight of their season was team bonding activities like their team candy salad and the fall rally.

Despite the season's conclusion, the team's spirit remained unbroken. They fought until the final whistle and continue to work hard with determination and strength for next season, ready to reclaim their Turkey Bowl title.

JV

The JV football team had a very successful season, finishing with an 8-3 overall record and a 4-1 league record.

 JV lost to Balboa in their only regular season meeting, 21-25, but came back strong for the city championship, going up 12-6 at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Balboa ended up scoring a touchdown, tying the score 12-12.  JV could not score to end the game, so it went to overtime. 

After a tough back-and-forth battle for about 30 minutes, Balboa intercepted a Lincoln pass, taking it all the way to their endzone. The crowd erupted, thinking the game was over, but confusion quickly spread as the referees began to line the ball up again. A special overtime rule caused the interception not to count. The JV team was crushed, thinking it was over, but after the confusion was cleared, they managed to come back and fight hard. At this point, Lincoln fans flooded the track, cheering with unwavering support and encouragement, pushing them until the very end. Unfortunately, Balboa scored on a subsequent possession, ending the game with a final score of 18-12.

One of the reasons that JV was able to have such a good season and keep fighting in every game was their discipline and commitment to the game. 

They were out practicing after varsity almost every day, even once it began to get dark earlier. 

Captain and sophomore Kardae Pettway stated, “Varsity didn’t want it like we did, and they didn't have leaders.” 

JV had four captains: Kardae Pettway, LaDonte Jones, Anthony Figueroa, and Timothy Ahoia, who always made sure everyone was focused and putting in the work. 

Next year, many of these leaders will move up to varsity, taking their discipline and heart with them, as they strive to bring the Turkey Bowl title back into Lincoln's grasp. 

Varsity

Lincoln’s varsity football, a consistent contender in the city championship, just fell short in the semifinals against Washington.

Despite losing to Washington in their regular season match up, Lincoln boys football came into the semifinals with complete confidence, with head coach Jojo Serrano stating, “I feel confident that we’ll put up a good game.” 

And that they did, going up 7-21 at halftime. 

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, they were down 21-29. Mikey Washington scored a touchdown, making the score 27-29. The only way to stay in the game was a risky two point conversion, which was accomplished again by Mikey Washington, sending them to overtime.

Lincoln had possession first, gaining ten yards on the first play. Due to a ref mistake, they were called back and ended up not scoring, making it the Eagles' ball. Washington ended up scoring and winning the game 42-35, ending Lincoln's season with a final record of 3-8. 

Disappointed faces throughout the crowd were overshadowed by those of the players and coaches. From the players who battled hard all the way through that game and countless others before. From the majority new coaching staff who put everything into their season, from the late night practices to helping with homework to ensure every player would make grades. But mainly from the seniors who had been with this program from day one, had their final high school season cut short after being so close to overcoming their losses. 

Injuries were a huge setback for their season, so severe that they had to cancel a preseason game to ensure they stayed healthy for the regular season. At one point, there were five injuries at once, and trainer Elise Hammond was constantly working every game.

Grades were also a big challenge for this team. To play for SFUSD, you have to have at least a 2.0 GPA. Football is at the beginning of the year, and since many players didn’t make that 2.0 from last year's grades, each grading period became a stressful time for the team.

Despite the challenges this season, Serrano remains optimistic for next season, excited to put up a fight and bring back yet another Turkey Bowl title to Lincoln Football.

By Camille Chew

Lincoln’s girls varsity golf team secured yet another series of wins this season, taking them to second place in San Francisco’s section of the Academic Athletic Association, a competition among all of San Francisco’s schools—private and public alike. 

 In the past three years, Lincoln’s girls varsity golf team has placed first in the AAA twice. But this year, Lowell stopped them in their tracks.  

Lincoln lost to Lowell, who went undefeated this season, on two separate occasions. These were the only losses Lincoln faced in the entire season. 

Lincoln’s first loss to Lowell occurred before the playoffs on October 15th. Lincoln took 241 swings while Lowell took a mere 197 on a nine-hole course. 

Lowell proceeded to beat Lincoln once again on an 18-hole course, going 411-502 on the 27th, and marking the end of the season for Lincoln’s girls varsity golfers. 

Freshman varsity golfer Rita Zuo felt compelled to improve her skills after watching Lowell’s golfers’ performance.

“It was a new experience playing against [Lowell] because it was more of a challenge. With other schools [we] would always come close [in] scores, but with Lowell it was different,” claims Zuo. 

Besides the team’s games against Lowell, their game against Washington on October 8th–the match that would determine whether or not the team would reach the season’s playoffs–was also especially memorable for Zuo. 

Initially, Zuo felt intimidated by the presence of Washington’s golfers, describing them as exceptionally put-together and confident.

Despite this, Lincoln came out on top. Washington lost, taking 251 swings compared to Lincoln’s 231 swings to complete the nine-hole course. Still, Zuo hopes to model the spirit and outstanding teamwork of Washington’s team. 

Coach Edmond Sullivan commends Zuo for stepping up from JV to varsity golf in her first year on the team, and believes she embodies the mindset he hopes for all the golfers he oversees to have. 

“My philosophy, it’s not about winning. It’s about your effort and focus, and simply trying to improve as an individual [while] playing golf,” states Sullivan. 

He knows closing the gap between Lowell and Lincoln’s golfers may not be possible, since Lowell has a far larger team with more experienced golfers, but he chooses to strive for team and personal growth rather than tangible wins. 

“I tried [...] to make things a little [more lighthearted] [...] to not put a lot of pressure on the team,” says coach Sullivan. 

During matches, two golfers of the same team partner up for the entire duration of the game and play alongside each other. This makes good teamwork imperative during golf matches. 

Zuo and coach Sullivan both describe the preparation for games as a mental battle–one where your mindset can make or break your playing.

“Sometimes when you play a hole, you play really badly […] a lot of people think, ‘Oh my god, I’m playing really badly,’ and that [affects] their overall game,” states Zuo. 

Coach Sullivan adds on to this, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. “When you have trust in your partner [and] that they’re going to be there and help you through your round when you’re struggling […] that [means] a lot.”

In aims of fostering a close-knit team, coach Sullivan holds frequent practices as well as occasional team dinners. But he notes that the team’s post-game boba runs and spontaneous bonding sessions are just as important.

Zuo and fellow varsity golfer, Cassie Lau, believe one team member is crucial to the team. 

“I feel like we wouldn’t have gotten into championships without [Nico Bautista],” claims Zuo.

Ex-golf coach, NorCal golf finalist, and role model to the team, Bautista is vital to Lincoln’s girls golfers. Bautista has been playing golf since they were seven, and is now imparting their years of knowledge to their teammates. 

            “When I notice that I can actually help fix their swing I do it,” Bautista exclaims.

Lau recalls these moments, stating, “[Bautista] would help me line up [my swing] and look at the ball, [and also taught] me ways to swing back [correctly].”

             Despite the team’s loss to Lowell, their placement this season proves to be yet another example of the Lincoln girls varsity golf team’s excellence.

             Zuo asserts, “It was a very memorable experience […] there was [solid] teamwork and we built a lot of skills.”

By Lola Snopkowski

On Wednesday, November 5th, at Kezar Pavilion for the city championship, Lincoln was down two sets to Lowell. Lincoln battled back to win a 25-19 set, keeping them alive. They went on to win another nail biting set 25-23, taking them to the fifth set, a tie-breaker decided by the first to reach 15 points. The score was tied at game point, both teams fighting back and forth, needing to win by two points. Senior Katherine Chan scored the final point, ending the intense three-hour battle with a final score of 19-17 and a Mustang win. The team collapsed into each other on the court, overtaken with pure joy and emotion.

Junior and captain Kylah Kaywood expressed, “It felt like all the long practices, the hard moments, and the times we pushed each other finally paid off.”

The Mustangs had an undefeated league season and a 36-9 overall record, adding the 2025 AAA city championship to their long list of wins. This year’s season marked the first back-to-back city championships victory since 2010, breaking Lowell's streak of four back-to-back wins.

Lincoln dominated both regular season games against Lowell, so being down two sets was unusual for this normally unbeatable team. 

Head Coach Vincent Tang, with six city titles for Lincoln girls volleyball states, “Going into the game, I knew we had the better team. Our girls proved it throughout the season, beating them twice in league and once at a tournament. I think we had more weapons offensively, and our blocking and defense were better as well.”

Kaywood noted, “They came out with a lot of energy, and everything they were doing seemed to be working. It [just] took us a little bit to settle in and adjust, but once we did, the game started to feel more like our pace.”

The city championship led them to place second in Division Three and to host San Marin—15th place—on November 11th, in the first of a five-round win- win-or-go-home state championship bracket.

They swept San Marin in an easy three sets, sending them to the second round against Riordan High School on November 13th. 

Riordan started strong, winning the first set 25-18, but Lincoln fought back to dominate the next two sets. Riordan didn't go without a fight, winning the fourth set 25-20, sending them to yet another fifth set tiebreaker, which Lincoln ended up winning 15-11. After his team scored the game point, Coach Tang ran to his team, shouting out in pure joy and pride. 

Coach Tang stated, “I was so proud of them.”

Winning the second round of states advanced Lincoln to the regional semifinals against Foothill High School on November 15th. Foothill’s crowd supported them throughout the game with loud cheers and colorful signs, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Lincoln. They won three sets to one, securing a spot at the regional finals in Redwood City at Sequoia High School.

Lincoln girls volleyball's successful season ended there with a 3-2 set loss in the Regional Finals, one game away from the State Championship. This matchup was one of the closest they’ve ever had, with each loss within five points or less. 

If they were to win that game and go to the state championship, they would’ve been the second team in Lincoln Volleyball history to go to a state championship game. The first was in 2017, when they became the first San Francisco public school to reach a state championship game in any sport. 

Nonetheless, this team has gone the furthest into states since 2017 due to hard work and teamwork. 

Kaywood stated, “We didn’t let tough games break our momentum.”

The team has been practicing since the middle of summer, and once school started, they put in about two hours of work every day after school, putting in the effort to have their victorious season.

Tang stated, “I think what helped us a lot this year was that this was one of the deepest teams I've had talent-wise. We have players who could play multiple positions, and everyone was able to contribute throughout the season.”

Team dynamics also played a significant role in the Mustang team's success, giving them the edge against tough opponents. After every missed ball or mistake, there was always someone to pick them up and keep each other in the game. Even in games they lost, they put up a good fight. 

Senior and captain, Mina Reyes states, “I think our [team] dynamic is what ultimately allowed us to do so well. We’ve become a family, so we did everything we could to win for each other.”

By Xavier Malizia

Being a high school athlete is undoubtedly difficult; missing class to attend games, staying late for practice, and maintaining both strong physical health and good grades. For siblings Angelina (Angie) and Aiden Tse, all of this is true, yet much more grueling. The two fence competitively, flying across the world for tournaments, commuting to practices in Sacramento, and missing weeks of school in the pursuit of becoming the best fencers in the world.

Fencing is a combat sport with multiple different styles of competition: saber, foil, and épée, each named after their respective weapons. Each weapon can be competed individually, or with a team. Angie and Aiden compete in sabre, which is not supported by the Lincoln Fencing team, so the siblings compete for team USA, completely separate from Lincoln. 

In international competitions, the levels are organized by age and skill level, with youth levels leading into Cadet and Junior, with the ability to join Division I, II, and III depending on skill.

The two got into fencing just by exploring different sports as kids, with Angie, the oldest, competing first, and Aiden following in her footsteps. 

“I got into fencing from watching her fence, and, like, truly enjoying the sport,” said Aiden. 

Currently, Angie is a senior at Lincoln, and last season she ranked 13th in the United States cadet level, while her brother, a sophomore, ranks first in the United States, also as a cadet.

Competing in any sport at such a high level is never easy, and the sacrifices the Tses have had to make in order to reach the pinnacle of youth fencing are tremendous.

To Angie, fencing means everything. She has competed for close to a decade and claims that the sport has been one of the most consequential aspects of her life.

“2026 will be my tenth year in the sport,” said Angie, recalling close to a decade of hard work she has dedicated to fencing. 

The two siblings have a close relationship, pushing and building off each other to reach their full potential. 

“I think I take a lot of inspiration from my brother, actually, who is both younger than me, and also very, very good,” explained Angie.

“Growing up, she was my role model,” explained Aiden, reinforcing the siblings’ strong relationship, which is one of the reasons for their remarkable success.

Despite undeniable success, Angie has struggled to understand her relationship with the sport. She undoubtedly loves it, yet sacrificing as much as she does comes with a myriad of challenges. When she was younger, she was a prodigy, winning the national championship at ages eleven and thirteen. Her successes pushed her to continue, but as she transitioned into high school, she felt a disconnect between her love for the sport and the other aspects of her life. Angie felt forced to compete and did not know whether fencing was worth the hours of time she spent at practice, limiting her social and academic life. 

“Summertime, winter break: I was always at practice, and, like, it was just becoming a bigger and bigger sacrifice,” stated Angie, reflecting on how pouring hours into practice and training—which got her to the level she is now—limited her social life. 

As for Aiden: he is currently the best in the country, with three national titles and one international title under his belt, across both team and individual competitions. Aiden attributes his success to not only his strong work ethic, practicing two to four days a week, but also the incredible support he has around him, provided by his coaches, club, family, and friends which he says condition him not only physically, but mentally as well. 

“It takes a group effort,” remarked Aiden. 

More than just socially, the Tses also have to keep up with schoolwork like normal students, despite the international travels and weeks away from school that international fencing requires. When traveling internationally, it is difficult to access SFUSD emails and Google Classroom, explained Angie, forcing her to download PDFs of classwork.

“[The screens were] probably really bad for my eyesight, and I was really tired, but, like, that's kinda how I did it,” described Angie.

Brendan Furey, an AP World History and AP Psychology teacher at Lincoln, taught both of the siblings throughout their time at the school. He says that public high schools like ALHSare not well-equipped for students like Angie and Aidan, and that it is inspiring to see such specialized athletes these days, contrasting the large numbers of students who spread their skillsets thin across many subjects.

“[They are] excelling on the highest level, against private school students and on the international stage,” explained Furey. 

Aside from fencing, Angie is the club coordinator for Lincoln’s Associated Student Body, and both of the siblings are members of JROTC and the mock trial team. 

Overcoming the issues she faced coming into high school, Angie found her place in the sport; enjoying the team competitions brought her closer to her fellow fencers. Angie admits that fencing is an elitist sport, with most of her teammates attending private schools and living a different life than her. Competing as a group for team USA brought her together with fellow fencers, uniting them through a love for the sport. 

Now, Angie is a recruited National Collegiate Athletic Association athlete, committed to Johns Hopkins University, something she is very excited for due to the organization of collegiate fencing, which is also team-based. 

“One of my goals is to make it to the NCAA Championships,” stated Angie, on her dream of making it to the highest collegiate level, where the top 25 fencers in the nation compete against each other. 

Aiden is currently chasing qualification to the US World Team for Cadet, composed of only the top three fencers in the nation. The World Championships are in Rio, Brazil, next year. Since he is currently the best in the nation, Aiden has a high likelihood of making it to Rio. He also aspires to fence collegiately in the future, hoping to get recruited like his sister.