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16-Year-Old Sets U18 800m Record, Secures Youngest American Spot at Tokyo World Championships

He will pause his junior year to race in Tokyo after his record-breaking run in Eugene.

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Overview

  • At the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Lutkenhaus surged from seventh to second over the final 200 meters to finish in 1:42.27.
  • His time shattered the under-18 world record, improved his personal best by three seconds, and ranks fourth on the U.S. all-time list.
  • The mark is the fifth-fastest in the world this season behind established senior competitors.
  • Steve Magness hailed the performance as the most impressive athletic feat in history, and champion Donavan Brazier called the high schooler phenomenal.
  • A junior at Northwest High School, he will become the youngest American ever at the World Athletics Championships, scheduled Sept. 13–21 in Tokyo.