On the final day of competition at Hayward Field, Oregon on 3/8, Lutkenhaus crossed the finish line with a time of 1 minute 42.27 seconds—a personal best and a new world U18 record.

Lutkenhaus (left) celebrates his second-place finish in the men's 800m final at the 2025 US outdoor track and field championships on 3/8. Photo: Runner's World

Lutkenhaus (left) celebrates his second-place finish in the men's 800m final at the 2025 US outdoor track and field championships on 3/8. Photo: Runner's World

The 16-year-old high school student finished behind only Donavan Brazier, the 2019 world champion, who clocked 1 minute 42.16 seconds. Lutkenhaus outpaced a field of seasoned veterans, including Bryce Hoppel (1 minute 42.49 seconds), Josh Hoey (1 minute 43.06 seconds), and Brandon Miller (1 minute 43.14 seconds).

Among them, Hoppel is one of the top US 800m runners. He won gold in the 800m at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, three consecutive USATF outdoor championships from 2022 to 2024, and four USATF indoor 800m titles. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hoppel finished 4th in the 800m final, setting a national record of 1 minute 41.67 seconds. This made him the second-fastest 800m runner in US history and the seventh-fastest of all time.

Lutkenhaus celebrates with his silver medal. Photo: Runner's World

Lutkenhaus celebrates with his silver medal. Photo: Runner's World

Lutkenhaus's time of 1 minute 42.27 seconds not only qualified him for the world championships in Tokyo but also ranks as the 4th fastest 800m time in US history and the 5th fastest 800m time in 2025.

He also shattered the previous world U18 record of 1 minute 44.08 seconds set by Kenyan runner Leonard Kirwa Kosencha in 2011. Lutkenhaus’s previous personal best was 1 minute 45.45 seconds, a time that broke a nearly 30-year-old high school record.

Lutkenhaus began running in 7th grade and focused on track and field in 9th grade. He showed continuous improvement through the three rounds of the 2025 national outdoor championships. Lutkenhaus ran 1 minute 47.23 seconds in the qualifiers, 1 minute 45.57 seconds in the semifinals, and then achieved his remarkable 1 minute 42.27 seconds in the final.

The 16-year-old’s race strategy was also praised. While more experienced runners started fast, completing the first 400m in 49.29 seconds, Lutkenhaus maintained a pace of 50.66 seconds. He then surged with 200m remaining, taking the lead in the final 30m.

"I executed the plan perfectly," Lutkenhaus proudly shared. "But more importantly, I enjoyed the moment, competing against the best runners in the US and the world."

His performance impressed many veteran athletes. Former national record holder Michael Granville, who held the American high school record from 1996, admired Lutkenhaus’s final sprint. "I couldn't believe it," Granville said. "This is a young man who's doing everything right, listening to his coach, and reaping the rewards."

Lutkenhaus is coached by Chris Capo, who recently took over the track and field program at Northwest High School. Under Capo's guidance, Lutkenhaus also finished second in the 400m at the Texas state championships with a time of 46.30 seconds. "I have complete faith in my coach, and he has the same in me," Lutkenhaus said. "It's a perfect match."

His performance in Eugene has been dubbed "Hayward Magic." Not only did Lutkenhaus make his mark on the national championships, but he has also become a new symbol for the future of American track and field. "Just having him on the team is a source of pride," Granville added. "To witness a high school talent rise to the world stage gives me confidence that the torch is being passed to the right person."

Hong Duy (via Runner's World)