Foothill Swimmer Luka Mijatovic Wins U.S. National Title

PLEASANTON, CA — Foothill High School rising senior Luka Mijatovic won the men's 400m freestyle at the Toyota USA National Championships in Irvine, making him the youngest national champion since Michael Phelps in 2002.

Mijatovic, 17, completed the final in 3:43.5, a new personal best and a 17-18 National Age Group record. He is the fastest American his age to ever swim that time, and the only swimmer younger than 18 to swim faster was Australian Ian Thorpe at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, according to NBC Sports.

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Mijatovic has emerged as one of the nation's top young swimmers. He holds 16 individual national age group records across multiple age groups, including earlier this year in 500 and 1,000-yard freestyle events.

He is scheduled to represent the United States later this month at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia.

After he graduates Foothill, he is set to attend the University of Texas, where he will be coached by Bob Bowman, who coached Michael Phelps throughout his career.

SEE ALSO:

• 16-Year-Old Pleasanton Swimmer Wins U.S. Open Championships

• Pleasanton Native Breaks World Record In 30-Mile Swim To Golden Gate Bridge: Report
• Dublin Native Breaks D3 Swimming Record