No he should run this year, then we can do our usual thing of spending the next five years asking what happened to former teen phenom Lutkenhaus.
"The guys who last in this business are guys who fly straight, real low key, real quiet.. -the guys who want it all, the chicks and the champagne and the flash -- they don't last."
Because there is more to life than running and he is a human being not an AI robot.
I can't imagine why he wouldn't want to go to worlds unless he actually hates running and only does it because he's good at it.
Seriously, what 16 year old in their right mind who just qualified the biggest meet of the year(s), in a far away country, wouldn't jump at the opportunity to go?
There is no saving for the future with this kid. He is here. Now. 1:42 guys run in global championships. There's no guarantee he will make the Olympics or any other team in the future. Strike while the iron is hot regardless of age.
This. Nothing is promised in this sport, it sure seems like he will make every international team for the foreseeable future but we all know it rarely ever goes that way.
I agree with the OP. Lutkenhaus has been competing at a high level since January. It has been a long season. Time to shut it down. Rest up. Hang out at the water park with friends. He is a 16 year old kid. His physical and mental health should be prioritized.
Not really an option. Texas public schools start early. I guess I can't call him a high school sophomore anymore as his junior year starts August 12th.
There is no saving for the future with this kid. He is here. Now. 1:42 guys run in global championships. There's no guarantee he will make the Olympics or any other team in the future. Strike while the iron is hot regardless of age.
That is an option. But if he really is a generational talent, he will qualify for any championship he wants and possibly dominate the scene for years. Will he be ready for that - mentally? He already achieved more than he or anyone foresaw at USA’s. So the other option - instead of the hot iron one - is to cool down and digest the experience.
… and aim for LA. Yes he qualified, yes he’s fast. But for his development it would be better to take it easy for now.
How much would Papa Hoey be willing to pay? The excuse Lutkenhaus could make would be very obvious - "as a high schooler still enrolled in school, the travel during the year would be too much...".
I agree. He will need to take at least two weeks off from school. That is a lot of important learning he will miss and need to make up. He'll never catch up, end up failing his classes, dropping out of high school, and then next time we see him will be on a street corner peddling crack cocaine and claiming, "I could have been a contender!"
… and aim for LA. Yes he qualified, yes he’s fast. But for his development it would be better to take it easy for now.
absolutely INSANE take. the worlds experience, no matter what happens, will be extremely helpful for his psyche. it will make him FAR better able to handle the pressure of future worlds & olympics. he should go into worlds this year with zero pressure and just enjoy the experience. treat each round like a final, why the heck not
Based on how he listened and responded to interviewers immediately after the race, my gut tells me that he's probably a very good student. Early in the school year quite a bit of material is usually review, or closely tied, to concepts from previous courses. I doubt he will have much trouble getting ahead of the game before he leaves and catching up when he returns.
Furthermore, everything about a trip to the World Championships will be an incredible learning experience that we can only wish most students could have.
I imagine his teachers will cut him some slack in getting caught up just as they would for any student out two weeks with an illness.
I completely agree with going and enjoying the experience with no real pressure - everything's gravy at this point.
If you were to suggest signing a professional contract between now and Worlds, I would not be on board with that.
I agree with the OP. Lutkenhaus has been competing at a high level since January. It has been a long season. Time to shut it down. Rest up. Hang out at the water park with friends. He is a 16 year old kid. His physical and mental health should be prioritized.
No one can guarantee the future. This should be the start of being at many championship meets for him but it could also be a once in a lifetime experience. He can hang out with friends at a water park any time.
Seize the day. There is no guarantee that he will get another shot at a WC , and never at a WC as a 16 year old. Anything can happen next year. Injuries could stack up, personal issues could beset him, he may burn out, the magic could just disappear (not that he's suddenly a 1:50 runner, but maybe he's just a 1:44 runner).
All this seems unlikely. He seems destined for greatness. However, nothing is guaranteed in life. Other than he has a ticket now for a WC and he should take it and then try to build on that.
You could make an argument (albeit a poor one) that going to Tokyo in HS didn't help Ryun. He may have been better off getting a solid base for his senior as he finished in last place in his semi. After struggling in Mexico and falling in Munich, his Olympic career ended without a medal despite his dominance in 66 and 67.