Get ready to be amazed because the swimming world is buzzing with the name Luka Mijatovic, and for good reason. This 16-year-old phenom is rewriting the record books, and his latest feats are nothing short of astonishing. At the 2025 Pleasanton Seahawks SC Senior 2 meet, held from November 7th to 9th in Pleasanton, California, Mijatovic didn’t just swim—he dominated. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: he’s expanding his repertoire beyond his middle-distance freestyle stronghold, and the results are jaw-dropping.
Fresh off his electrifying 8:37 in the 1000-yard freestyle—a performance that ranks him 5th all-time across all age groups—Mijatovic dropped two more lifetime bests on Saturday. In the 200-yard Individual Medley (IM), he clocked a stunning 1:44.28, shaving nearly 1.4 seconds off his previous personal best of 1:45.67 from April. This leap not only solidified his position as a versatile swimmer but also catapulted him to 9th place all-time in the 15-16 age group, edging out his teammate and training partner, Tim Wu.
But wait, there’s more. Mijatovic also unleashed a new personal best in the 100-yard butterfly, touching the wall at 47.54 in the prelims. Though he scratched the final, this time places him 52nd all-time in his age group. And this is the part most people miss: he achieved this just weeks after swimming a 48.50 in the same event on October 18. His ability to consistently improve across multiple strokes is a testament to his work ethic and potential.
Here’s the controversial part: With Mijatovic set to train under Bob Bowman, the legendary coach behind Michael Phelps, at the University of Texas in 2027, the question on everyone’s mind is: Will he become the next IM superstar? Bowman’s track record with men’s IM events is unparalleled, and Mijatovic’s recent performances suggest he could thrive under such guidance. But is the IM truly his future, or will he stick to his freestyle roots? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Mijatovic wasn’t the only standout at the meet. Daniela Linares Danzos, just 15 years old, stole the show in the 200-yard backstroke, clocking a new personal best of 1:54.32. This time not only shaved over a second off her previous best but also crowned her the fastest 15-16-year-old in the country this season by over two seconds. She now sits comfortably among the top 60 all-time in her age group. Meanwhile, Georgia commit Maddie Thornton from Bend Swim Club secured second place with a best time of 1:54.92, nearly six seconds ahead of her pace from last year.
Other notable performances included Tim Wu’s blistering 1:42.55 in the 200-yard backstroke, the fastest time in the country this season for a 17-year-old, and Jordan Ragland’s 20.02 in the 50-yard freestyle, a solid showing for the Cal commit.
As Mijatovic prepares to swim the 500 free, 200 fly, 100 free, and 100 back on Sunday—though he’ll likely scratch at least one—the swimming world is left wondering: What’s next for this rising star? Will he continue to dominate freestyle, or will he fully embrace the IM under Bowman’s tutelage? One thing’s for sure: Luka Mijatovic is a name you’ll be hearing for years to come. What do you think his future holds? Share your thoughts below!
