Record-Breaking 16-Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus On His Decision To Turn Professional & Sign With Nike
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 | SpotifyChris Capeau Interview: https://apple.co/4m3BnzH | SpotifyRead our full news story here: https://citiusmag.com/articles/cooper-lutkenhaus-signs-nike-contract-turns-professional-before-world-championships-2025SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
25 Aug 13min
Kenneth Rooks On His “Rollercoaster” 2025 Season And His Hopes For The World Championships In Tokyo
"Going into Tokyo, as long as I get back to those basic things that helped me be successful in the past, I'm going to be just fine. I can focus on the process, get back to running my race, focus on what I need to do each lap in different circumstances and scenarios, have fun, and not put too much pressure on myself." My guest for today's episode is Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks. However, he hasn't quite looked like that this entire season. It left many wondering if last year's Olympic silver medalists had slipped from his form. But back at Hayward Field just a couple weeks ago in his element, Rooks gave the answer. He was calm through the opening kilometers of the U.S. Championship final, unhurried as the laps ticked by. He moved up lap after lap until he was finally leading – and he never gave that lead back.A 59-second last lap sealed his third straight U.S. Championship title in 8:26.56, fending off his training partner Dan Michalski and veteran Bernard Keter. Rooks officially punched his ticket to Worlds and then a couple weeks later helped Michalski get the standard to secure his own berth to the World Championships in Tokyo.It was a vintage Kenneth Rooks race: patient, poised, and relentless when it mattered most. Now the BYU alum returns to the global stage in Tokyo with the big question hanging in the air: can he summon that magic again?We talk about bouncing back from some disappointing performances, how the results make a bit more sense when you look at the bigger picture, managing the weight of expectations, and how he's looking to summon that same grit again in Tokyo.____________Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Kenneth Rooks | @kenneth_rooks on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Watch: 2025 U.S. Championships Men’s 3000m steeplechase final____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
25 Aug 52min
The Build: Author Chris Lear Reflects On The Legacy Of Running With The Buffaloes And His New Book “Beyond Fast” On Coach Sean Brosnan’s Newbury Park Cross Country Dynasty
“The overarching message that I think Sean has with this book is that whatever ‘it’ is, go for it. If this is your thing and you give it all you’ve got and don’t limit yourself to what’s been done and what’s been possible, the sky’s the limit on what you can do.” Today's guest is someone whose work has shaped how we understand running at its most human level through writing about running. Chris Lear is the author of Running with the Buffalos, a book that for many is the gold standard of distance running storytelling.Two decades ago, Chris embedded himself with the University of Colorado's cross country team during one of its most dramatic seasons, and what turned out was a story of triumph, tragedy, and relentless pursuit that became a cult classic for runners everywhere. Now Chris is back with one of the most anticipated running books: Beyond Fast - the story of coach Sean Brosnan. It's written with Sean Brosnan and NBC News' Andrew Greif.Brosnan's journey is an unlikely one from BMX tracks on Long Island to the world of collegiate running and eventually to Newbury Park High School, where he transformed a struggling program into a dynasty. During his six years there, Brosnan didn't just build champions; he built what many believe was the greatest high school cross country team of all time.His impact went beyond workouts and race results; he created a culture that challenged young athletes to push past their limits and reimagine what was possible. In this conversation, we talk with Chris about the stories behind Beyond Fast and how a coach with a renegade spirit changed the sport of high school distance running.____________Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Chris LearProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Pre-order: Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance RunningOrder: Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside With Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, And The University Of Colorado Men's Cross Country Team____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
21 Aug 42min
Lausanne Diamond League Recap: Keely Hodgkinson Stays Hot With 1:55; Josh Hoey Beats Emmanuel Wanyonyi; Oblique Seville Beats Noah Lyles + Bonus: Doping News Round-Up
Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia are back to dive into all of today's action from the Lausanne Diamond League as well as recent doping news in the track and field world.Some of the biggest highlights from Lausanne include...- After a year off racing, Keely Hodgkinson won her second Diamond League in five days, this time setting a 1:55.69 meet record.- Josh Hoey once again continued to surprise, this time with a huge finish to win the 800m over Olympic champ Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:42.82.- Oblique Seville won a soaking-wet 100m in 9.87, with Noah Lyles finishing second in his second-straight Diamond League in 10.02 just ahead of Ackeem Blake (also 10.02).- In her first race since signing her On NIL deal, NCAA champ Doris Lemngole ran away with the steeplechase win in a torrential downpour, clocking a 9:16.36 worth 8 points in the league standings to give herself a good shot at qualifying for the DL final with only one race.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on Instagram____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
20 Aug 1h 21min
Silesia Diamond League Recap: Keely Hodgkinson Is BACK; Faith Kipyegon Just Misses The 3K WR; Yared Nuguse’s Worlds Hope Is Still Alive + NACAC/World Rankings Clarity
This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia dive into the biggest moments from the Silesia Diamond League, recap the NACAC Championships, break down more changes in world rankings, and lots more.Some of the top performances from Silesia include…- In her first 800m in over a year, Olympic champ Keely Hodgkinson picked up right where she left off, clocking a world-leading 1:54.74 to win by nearly two full seconds.- Faith Kipyegon took a strong crack at the highly-suspect world record in the 3000m, and while she fell just short of Wang Junxia’s 1993 mark of 8:06.11, her 8:07.04 run was the second fastest performance in history.-Yared Nuguse won the 1500m in 3:33.19, claiming his fourth Diamond League 1500m victory and solidifying his spot in the final where he’ll have a shot at a wild card entry to Worlds.-Kishane Thompson turned the tables on Noah Lyles in their first 100m matchup since the Paris Olympic final, leaning at the line to equal the 9.87 meet record, just ahead of Lyles’s 9.90 in second. U.S. champ Kenny Bednarek took third in 9.96.-Proving her 10.65 at USAs was no fluke, Melissa Jefferson equaled the meet record with a commanding 10.66 100m victory over the likes of Tia Clayton (10.82) and Marie Ta Lou-Smith (10.87).-After a two-month break from the racing circuit, Karsten Warholm returned to action in STUNNING form, clocking a 46.28 Diamond League record to win the 400m hurdles in the third fastest mark of all time.Stay tuned for our Lausanne Diamond League recap + Brussels Diamond League preview on Wednesday!____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Watch: Kenny Bednarek Says He And Noah Lyles Are All Good After USAs Staredown And ShoveWatch: Silesia Diamond League interviewsListen: Emily Mackay On Qualifying For The World Championships, The Hunger For More And The Decision To Leave Team New Balance BostonListen: Jonah Koech On The Mindset, Belief To Win The U.S. 1500m Title + Previewing The 1500m In Tokyo____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
18 Aug 1h 38min
Jonah Koech On The Mindset, Belief To Win The U.S. 1500m Title + Previewing The 1500m In Tokyo
“It was just a matter of showing up and putting out whatever I had that day – and fair enough, that was my day! I don’t know how it happened. I didn’t expect to win. Nobody knew I was there, nobody was thinking about me. Even after the Rabat [Diamond League], I was shocked by myself!”A few months ago, Jonah Koech wasn't even supposed to be in the race. His Diamond League debut was meant to be an 800m in Rabat until a late field change bumped him out. The backup plan was to race the 1500m, an event where his personal best was 3:37.But that night in Morocco, Koech ran the race of his life, moving from 13th to 1st over the final lap, dropping a six second personal best of 3:31 and delivering one of the most improbable victories in Diamond League history. And if Rabat was the warning shot, then Eugene was the exclamation point at the U.S. Championships in just his seventh career 1500m as a pro.Koech closed in 12.49 seconds for the final 100m, nearly all of it in lane two, to win in a U.S. championship record of 3:30.17. He finished ahead of Ethan Strand and Olympic champion Cole Hocker. That's your team for the World Championships. Yared Nuguse missed the team, Hobbs Kessler missed the team. Jonah Koech did not. It's already been a winding road to get to this point, and in this episode, we talk all about it from growing up in Kenya, training alongside David Rudisha, the stops at UTEP and Texas Tech to U.S. citizenship through the Army service, injuries, a late career reinvention, and now heading to the world championships in the 1500m as a legit threat.____________Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Jonah Koech | @jonah_koech on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Watch: USATF Championships men’s 1500m final____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
17 Aug 1h 9min
Emily Mackay On Qualifying For The World Championships, The Hunger For More And The Decision To Leave Team New Balance Boston
“This year, with all the challenges and setbacks, gave me a lot of confidence in that I was still able to come out and deliver and make this team. I have a lot of confidence from experience and just knowing that no matter the circumstances, I'm able to stay focused and get the job done; just focus on myself and what I need to do to be the best runner I can be. That’s where I draw my confidence from.”My guest for today's episode is Emily Mackay. In the 1500m, the margin between heartbreak and a ticket to the World Championships can be a lean, a lunge, or a fraction of a second. For Emily, it was the last 100m at Hayward Field, stride for stride with her former training partner Heather McLean, both fighting for the third and final spot to Tokyo. Mackay pulled ahead in that final stretch and stopped the clock at 4:04.38 for third place behind Nikki Hiltz and Sinclaire Johnson and secured her place on Team USA for Tokyo.It's been less than a year since Mackay qualified for her first Olympics — a breakout 2024 season that saw her win World Indoor bronze in Glasgow in the 1500. She went on to run 3:55 to move to #3 all time among Americans and stood on the podium at the U.S. Olympic trials. She also reached the semifinal of the 1500m at the Paris Olympics, but in the months since, She's navigated change and injury.She parted ways with Team New Balance Boston's training group during the outdoor season and is now coached by Pete Julian. She’s still sponsored by New Balance while living in Boulder, Colorado. In this episode, we talk about the U.S. championships, the transition between training groups, and the confidence it takes to keep climbing in one of the most competitive eras of American distance running.____________Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Emily Mackay | @emily_mac7 on Instagram Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Watch: USATF Championships women’s 1500m final____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
14 Aug 44min
Silesia Diamond League Preview, Who Still Has A Path To The World Championships Via Diamond League Wildcard/World Rankings + Fred Kerley Suspended For Whereabouts, Sha’Carri’s Apology + More
This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia unpack the top highlights from the Gyulai István Memorial in Budapest earlier today, from Oordegem, Belgium on Saturday, and more of the biggest shakeups in rankings that took place over the weekend. We preview everything you need to know about the Silesia Diamond League, including the top athletes competing, matchups to follow, and records to watch for. We also dive into the latest drama in the track and field world, break down the qualification process for the World Championships, explain how the Diamond League wild card process works, and lots more.____________Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramMentioned in this episode…Subscribe: Sign up for NordVPN using our affiliate link hereSubscribe: CITIUS MAG Newsletter Listen: The Paulie Throws Podcast____________SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.
12 Aug 1h 47min
