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 almost become routine: every time age-group phenom Luka Mijatovic hits the water, he posts a newsworthy time. Today was no different. And yet, even for Mijatovic, today’s performance was extraordinary. After scaring Maximus Williamson’s NAG in the 400 IM yesterday with a 3:40.14 to kick off Roseville Sectionals, Mijatovic swam his bread and butter event tonight… posting a mind-boggling 4:05.76 in the 500 free.
Mijatovic now ranks as the 3rd-fastest performer in the history of the event, and would rank 1st in the NCAA this season by a long shot. The current NCAA leader is future Longhorn teammate Rex Maurer, who swam a 4:08.46 to win the SEC title.
The 16-year-old Texas commit had a previous personal best of 4:08.57, set at the Pleasanton Seahawks SC Senior Meet back in November. He’s now eclipsed Luke Hobson’s 17-18 NAG record of 4:08.42 as well, and becomes the first ever 18&under swimmer under the 4:08 barrier by over 2 seconds.
When Mijatovic first entered the 15–16 age group, the record was Drew Kibler‘s 4:15.36 set in 2016—he has now lowered that standard by nearly 10 seconds. The Pleasanton Seahawk has wrecked havoc on the NAG record book over the past five years, having now set a total of 22 NAG records. This past summer, he qualified for his first senior international team by finishing as the runner-up in the 400 free at the 2025 U.S. National Championships, where he lowered his own NAG to 3:45.71 . Both swims were also under the current 17-18 NAG record of 3:46.01, set by Ryan Erisman.
Excerpt of the race video, courtesy of @swimnorcal
FULL RACE VIDEO, courtesy of Kevin Virnig:
SPLITS COMPARISON:
| Distance | Luka Mijatovic, new NAG record (2026 Sectionals) | Luka Mijatovic, old NAG record (2025 Pleasanton Seahawks Meet) |
| 50 | 22.37 | 22.50 |
| 100 | 46.88 (24.51) | 47.17 (24.67) |
| 150 | 1:11.82 (24.94) | 1:12.38 (25.21) |
| 200 | 1:37.12 (25.30) | 1:37.64 (25.26) |
| 250 | 2:02.45 (25.33) | 2:03.09 (25.45) |
| 300 | 2:27.40 (24.95) | 2:28.40 (25.31) |
| 350 | 2:52.24 (24.84) | 2:53.89 (25.49) |
| 400 | 3:17.09 (24.85) | 3:19.29 (25.40) |
| 450 | 3:41.69 (24.60) | 3:44.37 (25.08) |
| 500 | 4:05.76 (24.07) | 4:08.57 (24.20) |
Compared to his previous record, Mijatovic was out faster from the get-go and stronger all the way through. In his 2025 swim, he managed 24 splits on just the second and closing 50s; this time, he held 24s for most of the race, breaking into the 25s only twice. He also closed faster, nearly dipping into the 23-second range on his final 50. His splits by the 100 were 46.88/50.24/50.28/49.69/48.67.
All-Time Top Performers:
- Leon Marchand– 4:02.31 (2024 NCAA Championships)
- Rex Maurer– 4:04.45 (2024 Texas Invite)
- Luka Mijatovic — 4:05.76 (2026 Roseville Sectionals)
- Carson Foster– 4:05.81 (2024 Texas Invite)
- Kieran Smith– 4:06.32 (2020 SEC Championships)
Mijatovic, who arrives in Austin fall 2027, joins three current Longhorns in the top 5 fastest performers in history. He has just the 1000 free left on his schedule for these Speedo Sectionals, and he’ll be on the chase for his own the NAG, which sits at 8:36.71.
It’s interesting that Ledecky’s 8:59 1000 is only about 10 seconds off her 500 time doubled. If it was the same on the men’s side, the 1000 record would be around 8:15
That’s interesting because it’s not just Ledecky because Katie Hoff is the second fastest in the 1, and she is also pretty close to only 10 sec off. And also just because it was recent Mika Nikanorov goes a 9:22 which is also only 10sec slower than twice her 4:36 500 time.
put 400 free relays in the water on either side of him after the first 100 and he breaks 4 … Kyle sockwell level stuff.
Couldn’t even break 4:05. What a joke!
I know, right? Like, even a 2-year-old could match Marchand!
I used to be critical of people saying he’s gonna go 3:59. This swim changes that for me
On some of the pictures he reminds me “chlorine daddy”
To me I see a Hackett/Thorpe hybrid
Hackett/Thorpe/Popovici rolled into one.
Is he graduating early? He’s just a junior I thought.
Fall 2027 next year
AMAZING!
Still waiting for a 500 with every 100 split under 50
Has that never been done before?
Nope, Leon was 49.99 and 50.01 on his last 2 100s when he went 4:02 haha. I remember zane grothe mentioning that it still hasnt been done yet.
Tbh unless Luka does it might not happen till someone goes 4:00
Red or Luka will have that in the next 12 months.