2026 Speedo Sectionals – Roseville CA
- February 26-March 1, 2026
- Roseville Aquatics Complex, Roseville, California
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Psych Sheets
- Meet Central
- Results – “2026 CA NV Speedo Sect @ CCA” Meet Mobile
It has become customary to see 16-year-old Luka Mijatovic defy the boundaries of age in the sport of swimming, and today was the epitome of that, as the Texas commit became the fastest ever 1000 freestyler in history, passing former Longhorn Clark Smith‘s 8:33.93 from 2015, with his Roseville Sectionals time of 8:32.83, dropping nearly four whole seconds from his lifetime best that he set in December at the CA/NV December Sectionals of 8:36.71.
This latest feat comes in a lineage of time drops for the Pleasanton Seahawk phenom in this over the last several months of late; he initially broke the 8:40 barrier in November, which at the time demolished his previous National Age Group record of 8:42.45 from February. He then bested that in December with his now former best of 8:36.71.
All Time Top 5 1000 Freestylers:
- Luka Mijatovic – 8:32.83 (2026)
- Clark Smith – 8:33.93 (2015)
- David Johnston – 8:34.82 (2023)
- Erik Vendt – 8:36.65 (2008)
- Ahmed Jaouadi – 8:36.71 (2025)
Mijatovic also joins a very exclusive list of high schoolers who have been faster than the NCAA record. The most recent name to this list was Regan Smith, who in 2019, as a 17-year-old, bested both Beata Nelson‘s 100 backstroke (49.67) and Kathleen Baker‘s 200 backstroke (1:47.30) NCAA records in 49.66 and 1:47.16, respectively. Both NCAA records would be broken two weeks after those times from Smith.
He also becomes the 2nd male this century to accomplish that, joining Michael Phelps, who was faster than Mel Stewart‘s 1991 200 fly NCAA record (1:41.78) in 2003 as a 17-year-old in 1:41.72.
At this meet alone, he came within half a second of Maximus Williamson‘s 15-16 NAG in the 400 IM in 3:40.14, and set the 15-16 NAg in the 500 in 4:05.76, which also makes him the 3rd fastest performer in history.
Luka Mijatovic American Record/US Open 1000 Free Splits v. Clark Smith‘s 2015 8:33.93
| Mijatovic 8:32.83 (2026) | Smith 8:33.93 (2015) | |
| 100 | 47.81 | 48.25 |
| 200 | 51.27 (1:39.08) | 50.74 (1:38.99) |
| 300 | 51.94 (2:31.02) | 51.56 (2:30.55) |
| 400 | 51.64 (3:22.66) | 51.80 (3:22.35) |
| 500 | 52.08 (4:14.74) | 52.09 (4:14.44) |
| 600 | 51.79 (5:06.53) | 52.25 (5:06.59) |
| 700 | 51.90 (5:58.43) | 52.35 (5:59.04) |
| 800 | 52.21 (6:50.64) | 52.00 (6:51.04) |
| 900 | 52.06 (7:42.70) | 51.82 (7:42.86) |
| 1000 | 50.13 (8:32.83) | 51.07 (8:33.93) |
Luka is the closest to Thorpe in terms of freestyle prodigy levels. (Popovici too but he’s more 100-200)
Just a reminder that Thorpe was elite world medalist level At 100-200-400-800. We have not seen anyone like that since.
Also Thorpe a world Champion as a fresh 15 year old in the 400m at the 1998 World Championships.
This is an amazing accomplishment, not trying to take away from his performance. But I am curious, what do we think the US Open record would be if this event was prioritized like the 1650 and 500? I think somewhere in the 8:20-8:25 range
4:12 and 4:12 give us 8:24. Do I think Finke can go that? Yes. And folks like Wellbrock or Wiffen? Probably.
With all due respect, Finke is getting old. I see Wiffen closer to that record than Finke will ever be. Wiffen has insane potential
This is the same feeling I got when I saw the swimswam article of Popovici breaking 48 as a 16 year old
Luka is an undeniable talent and a remarkable young man who would likely find success in any pool.
However, the heights he’s reached and the dramatic surge in his recent performance are a direct testament to Joe Natina’s elite leadership. Since Joe joined the Pleasanton Seahawks, he has completely revolutionized Luka’s technique.
By providing relentless feedback and implementing the precise technical adjustments needed to compete at the highest level, Joe has unlocked Luka’s true potential. We are incredibly fortunate to have a coach of Joe’s caliber guiding our athletes to the next level.
Oh absolutely!!! while Luka may have been born with generational talent, a titanium work ethic, and the athletic instincts of a demigod, we all know none of that truly matters until someone with a stopwatch and a clipboard arrives to explain freestyle to him.
Before Joe, Luka was apparently just out there freestyling in the most literal sense. Splashing around, guessing, and unaware that swimming involved concepts like technique or strategy. Then, in a moment historians will one day mark as “The Great Chlorinated Awakening”, Joe arrived.
Suddenly, elbows were higher. Water parted more respectfully. Lane lines straightened themselves out of admiration. One minor tweak to Luka’s stroke and the tides shifted globally. Dolphins reportedly took notes.
Relentless feedback? Yeah… Read more »
Ban AI
Captain PhotoBomb strikes again.
In my area I know a 15 year old young man who is on track to be at the very least a high level division 1 recruit. I know his parents well, his dad recently told me his USA club coach doesn’t want him to swim the high school season as he’ll miss out on valuable training time under his supervision. Now year in, year out the HS this young man attends is a perennial state swimming powerhouse with their own pool and excellent training facilities. The HS coach is very respected and has a long tenure coaching the team. The Boys HS swim season barely last 2 1/2 months. A little more info, Dad is 6’3′, Mom is 5’11’… Read more »
How tall are you?
Suppodeskj converts to 7.37 LCM 800 free
Nice shout out to Mel’s old record!
Now both American/US Open records in the 1000 have been broken by age group swimmers! Ledecky on the women’s side and Mijatovic on the men’s side
John Trembley in 1970.