At just 16 years old, Luka Mijatovic is already rewriting the record books in distance swimming, leaving many to wonder: Is he the future face of American swimming? But here’s where it gets even more impressive: Mijatovic didn’t just win—he obliterated a 23-year-old national age group record in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2025 Toyota U.S. Open Swimming Championships in Austin, Texas. Clocking an astonishing 7:48.28, he secured the 12th fastest time in U.S. history and left his competitors in the dust, winning by over three seconds.
This wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. Mijatovic, a junior at Foothill High, has long been pegged as a rising star, but his performance in Texas solidified his place among the elite. “During warmups, I felt really good, so I decided to go out fast and hold on as long as I could,” he told USA Swimming. “I knew the competition was tough with swimmers like Bobby Finke and Carson Foster in the race. My goal was to start strong and build momentum throughout.”
And build he did. As the race unfolded, Mijatovic extended his lead, never giving his rivals a chance to catch up. “I tried to glance around to see where I stood,” he explained. “I spotted Carson in the first 300-400 meters, and Ilia Sibirtsev was right beside me, but I focused on my own race.”
What’s even more remarkable? The national age group record he shattered had stood for over two decades. “I didn’t realize it was that old, but I had my eye on it coming into the meet,” Mijatovic admitted. “I’m happy with my performance, but it’s only December—I know I have a lot more to prove. I’m constantly working harder, training smarter, and pushing myself to improve with every race.”
Mijatovic, who recently committed to swim for the powerhouse University of Texas (https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/sports/2025/12/02/pleasanton-preps-star-foothill-swimmer-mijatovic-commits-to-university-of-texas/), showcased his versatility throughout the championships. He secured second place in both the 400 freestyle and the 400 individual medley, and finished fourth in the “B” final of the 200 freestyle. In the 400 free “A” final, he unleashed his signature closing surge, touching the wall second with a time of 3:45.30, just behind Olympic champion Leon Marchand (3:44.70), who swims for Texas but represents France internationally.
Speaking of Marchand, the four-time Olympic gold medalist and long-course world record holder in the 200 and 400 IMs, his presence in the pool adds another layer of competition. But is Mijatovic the next Marchand? Or will he carve out a legacy all his own?
In the 400 IM, Mijatovic finished second with a time of 4:15.91, though no one could catch Carson Foster, who dominated with a 4:07.07. In the “B” 200 free final, Mijatovic placed fourth with a 1:48.88, trailing Texas’ Shane Casas, who won with a 1:46.62.
Mijatovic wasn’t the only Pleasanton Seahawks swimmer making waves. Tim Wu, a senior at Dougherty Valley, placed second in the “C” final of the 200 free and fourth in the “C” final of the 400 free. Jeremy Ting, a Monte Vista senior, finished seventh in the “C” final of the 200 IM and second in the “C” final of the 400 IM.
Brooke Bennett, a Granada senior, stole the show in the women’s 400 free “C” final, winning with a time of 4:20.56. She also placed seventh in the “C” final of the 50 breaststroke, fifth in the “B” final of the 400 IM, and seventh in the “A” final of the 800-meter freestyle with an 8:55.73. Her younger sister, Taylor Bennett, a Granada freshman, finished seventh in the “C” final of the 100 breaststroke.
Rylee Hutchinson, an Amador Valley junior, placed sixth in the “B” final of the 400 IM with a 4:55.07, just behind Brooke Bennett.
Shifting gears to football, the Monte Vista Mustangs’ remarkable postseason run ended just shy of a CIF State title game. They fell 17-13 to St. Ignatius in the 3-AA CIF NorCal title game, who will now face Ventura—a 35-28 winner over Arroyo Grande in the SoCal final—on Friday, December 12, at 8 p.m. at Fullerton Stadium.
But here’s the real question: As Mijatovic continues to dominate in the pool, is he the next big name in American swimming? Or will someone else rise to challenge his reign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Editor’s note: Dennis Miller, a seasoned sportswriter for the Pleasanton Weekly, Livermore Vine, and DanvilleSanRamon.com, has been covering Tri-Valley high school sports since 1985. He’s also a horse racing handicapper and journalist. This column originally appeared in Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, a weekly sports e-newsletter by Embarcadero Media Foundation. To subscribe for free, visit here (https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/tri-valley-preps-playbook/).
