Cooper Lutkenhaus cross the finish line at the Nike Outdoor Nationals with another National Record - 1:45.45
Cooper Lutkenhaus continues to redefine excellence in high school middle-distance running. Already a two-time UIL Texas state champion and the national record holder in both the indoor and outdoor 800 meters, the Justin Northwest sophomore elevated his legacy even further at the 2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. Despite wet conditions, Lutkenhaus delivered a jaw-dropping 1:45.45 performance-shattering his own previous national record of 1:46.26 set just last month at the Brooks PR Invitational.
His approach was confident and calculated. "I just went into this race with a lot of confidence," he said afterward. And it showed. Lutkenhaus opened with a smooth 52.19 through the first lap, then closed in 53.25 in what was essentially a solo effort, finishing over two seconds ahead of the runner-up. His ability to run fast in any condition continues to separate him from the field.
Though he's already rewritten history books, Lutkenhaus remains grounded. "We are just kind of focused on the moment right now, not looking too far ahead just because there is always going to be somebody new who shows up, so just always being prepared for the next guy up" he explained, emphasizing readiness and staying sharp amid a fast-moving sport. With two high school seasons still ahead, the focus for Lutkenhaus is simple: keep winning and keep running fast. If his current pace is any indication, the best may still be to come.
