2022 CA/NV Speedo Sectionals
- Dec. 16-19
- La Mirada Splash! Regional Aquatics Complex
- La Mirada, Calif.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results on MeetMobile: “2022 December CA NV Speedo Sect @RMDA v1”
Luka Mijatovic’s otherworldly ascent up the national age group (NAG) rankings hit a new peak this past weekend at the 2022 CA/NV Speedo Sectionals in La Mirada, California.
The 13-year-old Pleasanton Seahawks standout snuck under the boys’ 13-14 NAG record in the 500 free with his 4:24.72 on Sunday, lowering the previous mark set by fellow Seahawks swimmer Lleyton Plattel in 2017.
Boys’ 13-14 NAG Rankings, 500-Yard Free
- Luka Mijatovic – 4:24.72 (2022)
- Lleyton Plattel – 4:24.79 (2017)
- Sean Green – 4:24.98 (2022)
- Cooper Lucas – 4:26.50 (2019)
- Alex Katz – 4:26.73 (2011)
- Michael Phelps – 4:26.79 (2000)
- Samuel Marsteiner – 4:27.18 (2022)
- Trey Freeman – 4:27.52 (2015)
- Aidan Burns – 4:27.55 (2012)
- Brad Gonzalez – 4:27.72 (2013)
Heading into Sectionals, Mijatovic’s personal-best time was 4:28.67 from earlier this month. He shaved a second off that mark in prelims (4:27.49) before dropping two more seconds in the final en route to a second-place finish.
Mijatovic was already the fastest 13-year-old American ever in the event after clocking a 4:29.84 last month. Now he’s the fastest 13-year-old American in history by more than five seconds.
His improvement over the past year has been remarkable. When 2022 began, Mijatovic’s lifetime best stood at 4:50.25 from last December. He’s now dropped more than 25 seconds in a year.
Mijatovic showed off his versatility by jumping into the top-20 NAG rankings in the 400 IM with a 3:56.84, earning another runner-up finish in the final. That appears to be the fastest time ever by a 13-year-old, edging Joshua Zuchowski’s 3:56.86 from 2018. Among 13- and 14-year-old boys, he moved up to become the 19th-fastest performer in history, right in between Michael Phelps (3:56.80) and Luca Urlando (3:56.86).
All-Time Rankings, 13-Year-Old Boys’ 400 IM
- Luka Mijatovic (Pleasanton Seahawks), 3:56.84 – 2022
- Joshua Zuchowski (Flood Aquatics Swim Team), 3:56.86 – 2018
- Thomas Heilman (Cavalier Aquatics), 3:58.73 – 2020
- Richard Poplawski (Scarlet Aquatics), 4:00.09 – 2019
- Curtis Ogren (Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics), 4:01.29 – 2009
Mijatovic also dipped under 1:40 for the first time in the 200 free. He went 1:39.78, which ranks 27th in his NAG.
Mijatovic is already the second-fastest 13-year-old 200 IMer in the record books (1:52.33) behind Michael Andrew (1:50.50). He’ll have a chance to overtake Andrew’s mark on Monday with the 200 IM on his schedule along with the 1000 free.
As far as i’m aware Owen Ekk at the speedo holiday classic went a 151 in the 200im for 13-14
MIjatovic last name is typically from Republic of Montenegro originally. Montenegro is a waterpolo power, but you put us between lines and say now go race, and we choke. It has to be a ball between us and opponents or that sport is a non-starter. Luka is very impressive.
How tall is he?
A bit over 6 feet
Man this kid is really something. He caught my eye when he went 4:29 a bit ago and now to break this nag at 13 is unbelievable. Congrats to him.
What?! It just continues. Wow.
Is there anywhere that has historic US nag records… Like from the 70s, 80s, 90s?
not exactly what you’re looking for, but you can select American record progression and see records over time. Record Progressions (usaswimming.org)
Amazing achievements. So often when we see kids who have matured early they excel in the sprints. I hope it bodes well for his future achievements that he is a great middle distance talent!
kid just cranked out a 9:07 in the 1000.
If he wants to be a hero he should target Jesse Vassalo’s 13-14 LCM 1500 record from 1976.
This kid is my contender to break this decades old record now hope he takes a shot at because he is likely the best prospect to go after in since Plattel got within 4 seconds of it 5 years ago.