The young Texan runner must have the most impressive excuses for missing school of any high school junior might offer, given he spent in Japan these past two weeks training to participate for Team USA at the World Athletics Championship.
But Lutkenhaus’s goal of reaching the 800-meter championship race finished in the opening round on Tuesday when he could only finish in seventh place in the intense heat of Tokyo.
“The conditions were challenging,” he commented afterwards. “Some days just don’t go your way. You might stumble now and then, but you come back. And I look forward for what lies ahead.”
The athlete’s record of 1:42.27 places him as the 22nd quickest runner – although he is only 16 – in the record books over the 800-meter distance. So notable was his promise that the legendary world record holder David Rudisha, present in the stadium, mentioned he couldn't wait to watching the American runner race.
Lutkenhaus, the most junior American ever to compete at the world championships after placing second in the national qualifiers, was self-assured after posting personal bests in training. However he was unable to deliver his best under pressure.
He occupied the majority of the race in lane two or three, and when he tried his sprint finish with 150 metres to go, he did not have sufficient left in the tank. He crossed the line in 1:47.68 in a race taken by Poland’s Maciej Wyderka.
“Well, the sprint just wasn’t there as it normally is,” the athlete explained. “But you just have to move on, live and learn. But I am leaving the stadium optimistic, simply because getting to race the best guys in the world is thrilling.”
“There are any second thoughts from that race,” he added. “You’re gonna have off days now and then.”
