by Deji Ogeyingbo2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals: The Next Generation of Track Stars to Watch
The 2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals will bring the country’s fastest, toughest, and most talked-about high school athletes to Hayward Field this weekend. If last year’s records told us anything, it’s that the line between elite prep talent and future Olympians is getting thinner. What we’ll see over the next few days will likely shape the sport’s next generation.
All eyes will be on Jane Hedengren, the Timpview (UT) senior who continues to chase records. She already owns the national bests in both the mile and 3,000 meters, and she’ll look to lower those times again in her final meet as a high school athlete. Her 4:23.50 mile in St. Louis earlier this month was 12 seconds faster than the field. But it’s her solo 9:17.75 two-mile run in 88-degree heat, where she passed through 3,000 meters in 8:40.99, that might be the most impressive effort we’ve seen from a prep distance runner in years.
On the boys’ side, Cooper Lutkenhaus comes in with the confidence of a champion and the record to prove it. The Justin Northwest (TX) senior shattered a 29-year-old national 800-meter record with his 1:46.26 in Seattle, and also holds the indoor mark. He hasn’t lost to another high schooler in two years, and after his narrow win over Owen Powell and Tiago Socarras, his grip on the event feels even stronger.
That said, Quentin Nauman is quietly building his own legend. The Western Dubuque (IA) junior became the first American high schooler to run under 1:50 in the 800, 4:00 in the 1,600, and 9:00 in the 3,200, all in the same meet. His anchor leg in the sprint medley relay (a 1:47.5 split) at the Iowa State Championships turned heads nationally. He may not have the resume Lutkenhaus does yet, but his momentum is impossible to ignore.
In the sprints, the girls’ 100m is shaping up to be a showdown between the top seven in the country. Leading the charge is Dana Wilson of Greensboro Day (NC), who’s run 11.02 this season and holds multiple sub-11.10 marks. She’ll be challenged by Mia Maxwell (TX) at 11.04 and a deep field that includes Taylor Nunez and Kylah Woods. With such a narrow gap separating them, execution and nerves could be the difference.
Jasmine Robinson of North Cobb (GA) is another athlete to watch. She’s entered in the 200, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles, and her current form suggests she’s ready to deliver on all three fronts. She’s ranked second nationally in the 300 hurdles and posted a blistering 39.81 at Arcadia, joining one of the most exclusive clubs in high school track. Her versatility makes her a rare triple threat.
For pure firepower, the boys’ 100 meters could be the highlight of the weekend. Tate Taylor, Maurice Gleaton Jr., and Brayden Williams make up one of the most electric lineups in meet history. Taylor, the current national record holder with a 9.92, also owns the indoor 200 title. Williams has gone under 10 seconds three times (albeit with wind), and Gleaton brings championship poise to every race.
Then there’s Bullis School (MD), whose presence is always felt at Nationals. Quincy Wilson returns to defend his title in the 400 meters, looking for his fourth straight championship win in the event. Teammate Cameron Homer will be in the mix after a breakout indoor season. Their program continues to produce some of the most consistent quarter-milers in the country.
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