Lincoln Wagner is a soccer sensation. (Photo courtesy Duncan Wagner)
Lincoln Wagner is a busy guy.
The young student/athlete, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School in the fall, has spent the past several years competing in a wide variety of sports.
Basketball, soccer, cross country, and track and field have all drawn his attention and kept him in almost constant motion. Just the way he likes it.
“I enjoy exercising and I like to work hard to accomplish my goals,” Wagner said. “I also like being part of a team and doing fun stuff with them.”
As he makes the transition from middle school to high school, the rising star plans to focus on soccer and track.
Cross country, where he was one of the most-consistent CMS runners the past two years, falls by the wayside only because of it being played in the same season as soccer, which he hails as his favorite.
It’s the sport Wagner has been playing the longest, and one where he has shown a high skill level.
He opened the summer by knocking in the game-winning goal for the Central Whidbey U15 pitch squad as Coupeville upended Oak Harbor to win the season-ending Matt Mikos Memorial Tournament at Fort Nugent Park.
Lincoln and big sis Mikayla are both medal-winning runners. (Elizabeth Bitting photo)
Wagner’s success is partially due to good genes — both big sis Mikayla and lil’ sis Audrey are talented athletes as well. But it’s also due to his willingness to put in the work.
“I think one of my strengths is the ability to push myself to the hardest,” he said. “But I would like to work on my mindset before I run or play to stay relaxed and locked in.
“My goal for my high school sports career is to make it to state for soccer and track,” Wagner added.
“I also want to run a sub-5-minute mile and score some goals on the soccer field.”
He devotes a fair amount of time to sports but also enjoys “doing some chill things like listening to music, gaming, or playing chess.”
Whatever is ahead for Wagner, he plans to strive to be the best, while using the lessons learned from his mentors.
“My family and coaches have had a big impact on me by making me understand that it is important to try my best and worry about my own race or game,” he said.
“Instead of comparing myself to others I focus on trying to improve and putting out my all.”
