Who is Cooper Lutkenhaus? Meet the 16-Year-Old U.S. 800m Runner Making the World Championship Team

Cooper Lutkenhaus would now be forever etched in history as the 16-year-old American sensation who earned his place on the U.S. team for the World Athletics Championships with a jaw-dropping speed in the 800 m. He had been showing great talent since the start of this season. On June 8, he ran 1:46.26 at the Brooks PR Invitational, breaking Michael Granville’s 29‑year‑old national high school record of 1:46.45. Less than two weeks later, at Nike Outdoor Nationals (June 21), he lowered it again to 1:45.45 — becoming the first American high schooler ever under 1:46. But the champ was not just done yet…

On August 3, at just 16 years old, Lutkenhaus shot to a quick 1:42.27 in the men’s 800 m final of the USATF Championship, second only to former world champion Donavan Brazier (1:42.16), and recorded the fastest time ever by an under‑18 athlete. That effort not only grounded the makings of a potential world medalist but also pulled him onto Team USA alongside Brazier and Bryce Hoppel for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

This report is developing…