It used to seem unthinkable that U.S. high school records could keep falling. Now, it’s basically a weekly occurrence.
At Nike Outdoor Nationals on Saturday, these times got even more ridiculous. Racing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., Jane Hedengren and Cooper Lutkenhaus both broke their own national records from earlier this month, clocking 8:40.03 in the 3,000m and 1:45.45 in the 800m, respectively.
Hedengren, a senior at Timpview High School in Utah, ran nearly solo in the 3,000m, chasing only the wavelights. Her previous best–8:40.99–was the 3,000m split from her 2 mile at the Brooks PR Invitational on June 8, where she set both the U.S. high school and North American U20 record in 9:17.75. That came just three days after she ran 4:23.50 in the mile, setting another pair of records.
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Since March, Hedengren has set five new North American records: the mile, 3,000m, 2 mile and both the indoor and outdoor 5,000m. Her mile remains the fastest U20 time in the world this year.
The 18-year-old is committed to Brigham Young University’s cross-country and track teams for the fall.
Cooper Lutkenhaus delivers a monster 800m
Justin, Texas’ Lutkenhaus didn’t let Hedengren have the spotlight all to herself. Just two weeks after running 1:46.26 to break a 29-year-old national high school record, the 16-year-old dropped an even faster 1:45:45–despite wet conditions. That’s not just another record; it’s a full second faster than any other American high schooler has ever run–and he’s only a sophomore.
Lutkenhaus’ new mark also ranks #12 on the all-time world U18 list, and is the fourth-fastest U20 time of 2025.
How much faster can these teens sensations get?
Click here for full results from Nike Outdoor Nationals.
