Record-Breaking 16-Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus On His Decision To Turn Professional & Sign With Nike

The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

CITIUS MAG

Running, Sports

4.8 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Cooper Lutkenhaus, the 16-year-old high school star who shattered his own U.S. 800m high school record and broke the 800m U18 world record with a 1:42.27 runner-up finish at last month’s U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships, has opted to forego all of his remaining high school and collegiate eligibility to turn professional and sign a contract with Nike.

The decision comes before he is set to race the 800m at the World Championships in Tokyo next month and makes history as the youngest American ever to represent the U.S. at a World Championship.

“I’m just super excited and blessed for the opportunity,” Lutkenhaus tells CITIUS MAG. “To be able to run professionally at such a young age is not very common, so to be represented by the best brand is very exciting.”

Lutkenhaus will remain enrolled at Northwest High School in Texas, where he’s beginning his junior year. He is represented by Ray Flynn and Flynn Sports, who have also represented top high school stars over the past 30 years, including Alan Webb and Drew Hunter. He will continue being coached by Northwest head cross country and track coach Chris Capeu. Classes started on Aug. 13th.

Lutkenhaus is the fourth-fastest American in U.S. history at 800m (behind American record holder Bryce Hoppel, 2019 World champion, and 2025 U.S. champion Donavan Brazier and 2025 World Indoor champion Josh Hoey) and No. 18 on the World all-time list. He is the sixth-fastest man in the world in 2025.

Listen to previous episodes here:

Cooper Lutkenhaus Interview: https://apple.co/4oRrS9f | Spotify

Chris Capeau Interview: https://apple.co/4m3BnzH | Spotify

Read our full news story here: https://citiusmag.com/articles/cooper-lutkenhaus-signs-nike-contract-turns-professional-before-world-championships-2025

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of the Citius Mac podcast is supported by New Balance.
0:07.0	If you follow me on Strava, then you've been seeing that I've been stacking these summer miles.
0:13.0	I don't really have a race that I'm training for, but it feels good to be getting fit.
0:18.0	And let me tell you about one of the shoes that's been helping me all throughout the
0:21.3	process. It's the New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel V5. This is one that I use for long runs,
0:28.4	for tempo runs. So New Balance added five extra millimeters of the ultra responsive people blended fuel
0:34.4	cell foam. And what does that mean? That means it's a smoother, bouncer your ride that keeps you feeling fresh no matter the distance.
0:42.3	There's a mid-soul cavity that adds flex and energy return, more rubber for grip and durability,
0:47.3	and just the right amount of structure to balance comfort and performance.
0:51.3	The upper, it's a total upgrade from the V4. They trim the bulk,
0:56.3	padded the heel collar and tongue, and refine the fit so that now it's breathable, secure,
1:01.2	and even comes in a wider option. Let's talk looks. The Rebel V5, especially in this
1:08.5	brown colorway that they've come out with brings lifestyle design to
1:12.2	perform in shoes you could wear this on a run you look great if you want to wear it out to brunch
1:16.6	right after or straight into your weekend plans it's the kind of shoe that gets compliments
1:20.8	and helps you crush workouts at 140 bucks it might just be the best value trainer on the market
1:26.8	so what's the bottom line here?
1:28.9	If you're jogging and logging those easy miles, we're picking up the pace, we're just looking for a shoe that feels right.
1:36.8	The Rebel V5 shows up every time.
1:40.1	Find the New Balance fuel cell Rebel V5 at New Balance.com or your local running shop today.
1:50.0	What's up, everyone? You are listening to the SidiousMag podcast. I'm your host, Chris Chavez,
1:54.5	and every week we go beyond the results to bring you conversations with the biggest names on the track,
	...

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