Cooper Lutkenhaus joined Cole Hawker, Olympic and World Champion (and American record holder) and Nicky Hiltz (seven-time USA Champion, World Indoor silver medalist, Pan Am gold medalist, fifth at Worlds, seventh at Olympics) in the distance. He held his own, though a little, I noticed, star struck. Cole Hawker paid him extra money. “Cooper deserves to be in this race, he doesn’t need any advice,” Nikki agreed.
Right after that presser, I had a few minutes with Cooper, who always makes for a respectful and thoughtful interview. I asked Cooper, who had won all three of his races as a NIKE pro athlete, leaving what his favorite race was as a pro.
He responded about the Sound Running event. Now remember that on January 24, 2026, Cooper won the 800m at the Norb Sander Invite in 1:45.23. Norb Sander’s run was the American under-20 record and the fastest ever by a high schooler.
On 1 February in Millrose, Cooper won the 600 meters at the Millrose Games in 1:14.15, another under-20 world record, and the world leader in the 600 meters.
At the ASICS Sound Running Invite on February 14, Cooper ran 1:44.03 to set the under-20 world record and move into No. 4 on the all-time US indoor record.
Here is our interview.
#inhemixedzoneAt Presser, Cooper Lutkenhaus talked about his favorite race as a pro, a 1:44.03 in the U20WR at the Sound Running event at JDL FastTrack on February 14th.
The interview @larryeder: for @RunBlogRun #usatfindoors, #oceanbreezeathleticscomplex, #nike, #nikerunning,… pic.twitter.com/5fXxTG8Sig
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) March 5, 2026
