Luka Mijatovic is rewriting the records as he grows up. The 17-year-old from California touched the wall in 3 minutes, 43.45 seconds to win the 400m freestyle at the Toyota USA Swimming National Championships. That put him just over three seconds ahead of his previous best and at the top of the U.S. teen leaderboard. He now owns the fastest time ever by an American under 18.
Thorpe, the Australian icon, was the last swimmer under 18 to beat Mijatovic’s new mark. Back in 2000, the teen Thorpe raced to an Olympic gold with 3:40.59. No U.S. athlete has come closer until now. Erisman, the previous U.S. teen record holder with 3:44.03, clocked 3:44.39 in the final and lost by under a second.
A rising star with big connections
Mijatovic, a high school senior from Pleasanton, already has 16 U.S. age-group records. His next stop is the University of Texas, where coach Bob Bowman has been guiding the careers of champions, including Michael Phelps. And in 2028, Mijatovic will be 19 — the same age Phelps was when his Olympic run began in 2004.
More highlights from the meet
Isabelle Stadden added to her backstroke dominance with a 58.06 100m, just shy of the world record.