* Eastlake (CA) sophomore Jaelyn Williams is one of the top up-and-coming distance stars the state of California has to offer
Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/California MileSplit
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Now that we've officially shifted into the outdoor season, more and more athletes are making noise around the country.
Whether it's near the ocean in sunny San Diego or in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, high schoolers are already in peak form.
This past weekend, three distance athletes threw down huge statement performances to solidify themselves near the top of their state, and even put themselves into the national conversation.
Here are three underclassmen who showed they're not going anywhere anytime soon.
The sophomore from Chula Vista, California took full advantage of the perfect weather and fast competition at the 43rd Annual Mt. Carmel Sundevil Invitational in San Diego.
Williams picked up her sixth win in as many races this season, leaving with a new PB in the 1600m. Williams clocked 4:44.91, leaving the field behind for a six second victory.
She followed that up with a 24 second win in the 3200m, crossing in 10:21.89. Heading into the last weekend of the month, Williams is No. 1 in the state in the 1600m, and No. 2 in the 3200m, with plenty of chances left to get even faster.
COOPER LUTKENHAUS
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Justin Northwest (TX)
Class of 2027
Hailing from just over half-an-hour north of Fort Worth, Texas, the freshman sensation showed over the weekend that he's not just built for one event. After running an incredible 1:50.8 over 800m at the Texas Distance Festival, Lutkenhaus dropped down in distance to the 400m.
He was the lone underclassmen in a very talented final, finishing runner-up behind the Texas state record holder. Lutkenhaus crossed in 47.60, over four-tenths of a second faster than his personal best he set in the prelims. The freshman phenom will surely provide more to write about as the season goes on.
As one of the top distance athletes in the state of Utah, Alder isn't unknown by any means. The NXN qualifier competed in her second meet of the outdoor season a few days back, opting for the 1600m/800m double at the Pine View Invitational.
Alder won the 1600m by six seconds, crossing in 4:47.15, an outdoor PB. She doubled back for two more laps, running 2:09.21 pick up her second win of the day. As of now, Alder is the fastest in the state in all three distance events, and the fastest sophomore over 800m in the nation.
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