Thorpe & Mathias celebrates its 70th anniversary

What began in 1956 as a teachers’ initiative has become a beloved Lincoln tradition for our elementary and middle school students. Discover all there is to know about the Thorpe & Mathias tournament. 

Different generations, same passion. Though Lincoln holds many events and traditions, some of them create a unique atmosphere of unity and belonging within the school. The Thorpe & Mathias tournament is one of them. Last week we celebrated Thorpe & Mathias Swimming and today we had the Track & Field. 

It all started in 1956, when PE teachers Senorita Herminia Granitto and Profe Donaro Laurita wanted to create an occasion that offered elementary and middle school students the chance to build character, strength, and unity. That’s how the Thorpe & Mathias Track & Field came to life.

“Granitto and Laurita devoted their entire lives to sport and to the education of generations of students at the school. They gave this beautiful competition its meaning, its spirit, and its soul,” former PE teacher Alejandra Guerrero shared during an interview. To Guerrero and to many educators who led this competition, the Thorpe & Mathias means tradition, challenge, and true fellowship. She added: 

It is a space where countless children and young people have discovered their potential, strengthened their confidence, and found their place within the community. It is also where many have been able to share their talents and make sport an integral part of their way of life.

The tournament has naturally evolved. Students have changed, and so have their interests and the ways they engage with sports. The organization became more structured, incorporating technology and a more professional approach. The events at school were adapted to be more inclusive, addressing the real needs of our learners. Perhaps one of the most significant changes was the special emphasis placed on emotional well-being, recognizing that education also involves providing support. Mariana Fernández, another one of our former PE Teachers, also shared her memories of the event: 

I remember very clearly how Granitto and Laurita would repeat something simple yet deeply meaningful: “Everyone counts.” It wasn’t just about the one who won a race or swam the fastest, but also about the one who cheered enthusiastically, the one who pushed themselves to new heights, and the one who found the courage to try something for the first time.

In 1972, the school finally built its swimming pool and thus launched the Thorpe & Mathias Swimming Competition, opening up new opportunities for participation. From then on, the next generations of teachers carried the torch, always with the same old spirit. “At Thorpe & Mathias, there’s no single way to stand out. And that allows many students to find their place,” Mariana Fernández commented. To her, the Thore & Mathias is transformative:

 I’ve seen students go from avoiding participation to becoming leaders for their team. And that change isn’t physical, it’s internal: it’s confidence, it’s self-esteem, it’s personal growth. As a teacher and coach, those moments when a student recognizes their own potential are immeasurably valuable, far more so than any medal.

Ultimately, Thorpe & Mathias doesn’t just train athletes, it shapes people with values. And the most surprising thing is knowing that next year, these students will likely take on the challenge again, with a new attitude. “Thank you for honoring this competition and for recognizing it as one of the most meaningful and important experiences in the life of Lincoln. Here’s to many more years of Thorpe & Mathias!” Guerrero concluded. 

Why Thorpe & Mathias? 

It’s a source of inspiration. On one hand, Jim Thorpe was a Native American athlete considered one of the greatest all-around athletes of the 20th century, excelling in football, track and field, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, ice hockey, swimming, boxing, tennis, and archery. Thorpe won gold medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games. He also played professional baseball and football and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

On the other hand, Bob Mathias was an American track-and-field athlete who won gold medals in the decathlon event at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games and was the youngest-ever men's track and field gold medalist when he won the decathlon in 1948 at the age of 17. Mathias also played football in high school and at Stanford University, and he won the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award in 1948 as the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. After retiring from athletics, Mathias served in the U.S. Congress and was the director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983.