RENTON, WASHINGTON, June 08 — Though he’s decidedly a young athlete, Cooper Lutkenhaus slew an old High School Record at the Brooks PR Invitational. In fact, it was the oldest standard prep running event record on the books, Michael Granville’s 1:46.45 for 800 set back in ’96.
For Lutkenhaus, a precocious soph, the record that Californian Granville set 29 years ago has been a focus ever since he ran a frosh record 1:47.58 to win here last year. Over the winter, he added the overall prep indoor record. Here, in a 10-runner field (all of them with sub-1:50 PRs), the Texan went to the front immediately and forged a credible 53.59 pace. That did not close the deal, as Washington’s indoor mile HSR holder Owen Powell (53.84) and Florida’s Joseph Socarras (54.07) remained close enough to apply some pressure. Coming off the final turn, the two made their best bids, swinging wide while they narrowed the gap.
With a few glances over his shoulder, Lutkenhaus responded, accelerating to the finish in a record-busting 1:46.26, courtesy of a 52.67 final lap. Powell hit 1:46.63 and moved to No. 6 all-time as Socarras faded to a 1:47.60 for No. 11.
“I knew there was going to be at least one person there with 100 to go,” said the 16-year-old Lutkenhaus of the finish. “I definitely think [Powell] was able to push me to that record.”
Granville, now a coach and certified fitness instructor in California, was quick to commend the new HSR-setter via Instagram: “Congratulations @cooper.lutkenhaus I am so happy for you and your whole family. This is just a step to more amazing things to come your way through work ethic, family and love. BRAVO 👑👑”
For his part, Lutkenhaus paid respect to his predecessor. In his post-race comments, he credited “the way Michael Granville ran his national record. I think he still kind of owns that record, you know? We got a bunch of guys to come together to try to break it. He was able to do it on his own, so a lot of credit to him.”
Still surviving among pre-millennial boys running event HSRs are two in rarely contested events: Rudy Chapa’s 28:32.7 10,000 time from ’76 and South Eugene’s 4 x 1500 relay effort, 16:03.7, from ‘82.
Michigan’s TJ Hansen won the mile over New Mexico’s Corbin Coombs after leading the entire way. This time, the two sub-4 performers ran 4:01.23 and 4:03.72. Nebraska’s Juan Gonzalez blazed a 56.65 closer to win the 2M in 8:47.06.
BROOKS BOYS RESULTS
100(1.0): 1. Brayden Williams (Duncanville TX) 10.22; 2. Ja’Neil Harris (High Point NC) 10.32; 3. ***Dillon Mitchell (Houston TX) 10.32; 4. **Benjamin Harris (Anaheim CA) 10.43; 5. *Kenan Walton (Atlanta GA) 10.49; 6. Nicholas Altheimer (Universal City TX) 10.50.
400: 1. ***Jaelen Hunter (Anaheim CA) 46.62; 2. Elijah Ferguson (Houston TX) 46.64; 3. *Joshua Shelton (Pearland TX) 47.15; 4. Charvis Tubbs (Humble TX) 47.48.
800: 1. **Cooper Lutkenhaus (Northwest, Justin TX) 1:46.26 HSR (old HSR 1:46.45 Michael Granville [Bell Gardens, California] ’96) (6, x AJ) (53.59/52.67);
2. Owen Powell (Mercer Island WA) 1:46.63 (6, 8 HS; 11, x AJ) (53.84/52.79);
3. Joseph Socarras (Miami FL) 1:47.60 (11, x HS); 4. Bryson Nielsen (Mesa AZ) 1:49.32; 5. Lucien Bone (Austin TX) 1:49.89; 6. Kaleb Burroughs (West Florence SC) 1:50.43; 7. Robin Lefebvre’ (Can) 1:50.48; 8. **Joshua Cooper (Fuquay-Varina NC) 1:50.97.
Mile: 1. TJ Hansen (Freeland MI) 4:01.23 (3:44.83); 2. Corbin Coombs (Las Cruces NM) 4:03.72 (3:45.55); 3. Vinay Raman (Hershey PA) 4:05.85; 4. *Caleb Ten Pas (Urbandale IA) 4:08.34.
2M: 1. Juan Gonzalez (Fremont NE) 8:47.06 (8:16.75); 2. *Caden Leonard (Carroll TX) 8:50.22 (8:17.46); 3. Joe Barrett (Lincroft NJ) 8:52.18 (8:17.77); 4. Charlie Mlotshwa’ (Can) 8:53.13 (8:19.23); 5. Ben Crane (Winnetka IL) 8:56.96; 6. **Benjamin Adams (Highlands Ranch CO) 8:58.59.
110H(1.2): 1. Le’ezra Brown (Greensboro NC) 13.29; 2. *Spencer Van Orden (Pocatello ID) 13.45; 3. Jasir Fontenot (San Diego CA) 13.68; 4. DeVonte Taylor (Bellaire TX) 13.70; 5. Tayman Howell (Greensboro NC) 13.77.
