NEW YORK, (Jan 24) – Meghan Hunter and Cooper Lutkenhaus captured the women’s and men’s 800 metres titles on Saturday at the Dr. Sander Invitational, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze meeting at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York.
Hunter opened her indoor season with a personal best of 1:59.70 to win the women’s race, a mark that briefly led the world list before U.S. teammate Roisin Willis bettered it at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix later in the day. Hunter, who entered the meet with a lifetime best of 2:00.21, held off fellow Americans Olivia Baker and Ajee’ Wilson, who finished second and third in 2:00.46 and 2:00.92, respectively.
Harvard’s Sophia Gorriaran clocked a U.S. collegiate-leading 2:01.30 for fifth place.
In the men’s race, 17-year-old Lutkenhaus, making his professional debut, improved his indoor best from 1:46.86 to 1:45.23 to start his season with a commanding win and broke the American Under-20 indoor record. Lutkenhaus’ winning time took .01 seconds off the previous AR U20 800 record of 1:45.24, set by Brandon Miller, while he was representing Texas A&M in 2022.
Shane Cohen was runner-up in 1:47.63, followed by Will Cuthbertson in third at 1:47.86.
Read More: Watch 2026 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Schedule and Live Results
Roisin Willis Wins New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Title
At the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, Roisin Willis produced a world-leading 1:59.59 to win the women’s 800m. The 21-year-old, a two-time NCAA champion and 2022 world under-20 gold medallist, led through 400m in 57.87 seconds and maintained her advantage to the line.
Britain’s Isabelle Boffey finished second in a personal best 2:00.14, and American Victoria Bossong placed third, also setting a lifetime best of 2:00.36.
Ireland’s Cian McPhillips claimed the men’s 600m title in 1:16.37, to set a personal best, but missed the meeting record, while beating USA’s 2019 world 800m champion Donavan Brazier, who was second in 1:17.20. Bryce Hoppel, the 2024 world indoor champion, took third in 1:17.24, while Mehdi Yanouri finished fourth in 1:17.83 to round out the four-man field.
McPhillips, who owns an indoor 800m best of 1:45.33 and holds the Irish outdoor record of 1:42.15, stayed behind the early pace before moving past the field in the final lap to clinch the victory.
Symone Goss contributed to this report.
Photo: jzsnapz
