2024 JUNIOR PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
- August 21-24, 2024
- Canberra, Australia
- LCM (50 meters)
- Live Results
- Live Stream
- All Days Prelims Heat Sheet
- Prelims Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
- Finals Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
BOYS 1500 FREESTYLE – EARLY HEATS
- World Junior Record: 14:41.22 – Kuzey Tuncelli, TUR (2024)
- Meet Record: 15:05.29 – Bobby Finke, USA (2016)
- All Comers Record: 14:39.59 – Mack Horton, AUS (2016)
RESULTS:
- Luka Mijatovic (USA) – 15:15.95
- Aiden Hammer (USA) – 15:40.60
- Aiden Kirk (Canada) – 15:47.56
- Lucas Fackerell (Australia) – 15:48.11
- Ignacio Stambuk (Argentina) – 15:49.43
- Russel Pang (Singapore) – 16:11.21
- Wei Sheng Ian Leong (Singapore) – 16:25.70
- Nicholas James Tan (Singapore) – 16:38.79
- Jose Gramajo (Argentina) – 16:41.18
15-year-old Luka Mojatovic concluded his meet at the 2024 Junior Pan Pacs fittingly, blowing away the field in the early heats of the boys 1500 free. Mitajovic will still have a chance at earning a medal in the event, pending the results of the fastest heat, which will take place during tonight’s finals session. Either way, the youngster’s performance this morning was historic.
Mijatovic, who swims for Pleasanton Seahawks in Pleasanton, CA, shredded his career best in the mile this morning, dropping 10.78 seconds. With the performance, Mijatovic becomes the fastest American 15-year-old in history in the event. That honor previously bel0nged to Evan Pinion, who swam a 15:17.09 at the 2010 Junior Pan Pacs.
US 15yo Boys 1500 Free Top 5:
- Luka Mijatovic – 15:15.95 (2024)
- Evan Pinion – 15:17.09 (2010)
- Nathan Szobota – 15:18.13 (2023)
- Sean Grieshop – 15:29.87 (2014)
- Arthur Frayler – 15:30.63 (2009)
Additionally, Mijatovic is now #6 all-time amongst Americans in the 15-16 boys age group.
US 15-16 Boys 1500 Free Top 6:
- Bobby Hackett – 15:03.91 (1976)
- Larsen Jensen – 15:04.83 (2002)
- Bobby Finke – 15:05.29 (2016)
- Arthur Frayler – 15:07.37 (2010)
- Evan Pinion – 15:11.03 (2011)
- Luka Mijatovic – 15:15.95 (2024)
Given the performance, it now seems plausible that Mijatovic may be the swimmer to take down Bobby Hackett‘s legendary National Age Group Record of 15;03.91, which has stood since 1976. Larsen Jensen is the only swimmer to have come within a second of that record, and he did so back in 2002. Hackett’s NAG in this event is the oldest NAG currently on the books.
Here is a summary of Mijatovic’s other performances at Junior Pan Pacs this week:
- 200 Free – 1:47.96 (fastest US 15yo All-Time, #3 15-16)
- 400 Free – 3:49.24 (15-16 NAG)
- 800 Free – 7:56.91 (Fastest US 15yo All-Time)
- 100 Free – 52.62 (Personal Best)
What is scary about Mikatovic is that he is relatively stronger at the 200/400m free than the 800/1500m free at 15, when normally 15yr olds might have more endurance than speed at this point. I don’t know if this meet was less competitive at 200/400 vs 800/1500, but it seems logical that both his speed and endurance will both improve dramatically in the next 1-2 years, so sky is the limit.
It always amazes me reading about truly remarkable 1500m boys age group swims to remember that Ledecky went 15:20 🤯
For anyone interested in reading more about Bobby Hackett, I recommend the book “Four Champions, One Gold Medal” by Chuck Warner. It is really good and describes several great distance swimmers of the mid-70s, and the years leading up to the 1976 Olympics.
Even more impressive Bobby Hackett did that with no cap and wearing briefs. Curious if the Montreal pool would be considered “slow” by today’s standards.
Literally everything was slow by today’s standards.
And he didn’t wear goggles during that race!!!!
Rooting for Bobby Hackett’s record to make it to 2026 and a nice round 50 years
Would love to know some of the workouts this kid is crushing, and perhaps how they compare to what Hackett was doing. 100x100y on the minute?
What a great performance; get that record Luka!
So happy to say that my 17 yo self would have been w/ in .4 of Luka Mijatovic at 15 … In his worst event, but my best event 😅
He split 50.27 on the B relay last night.