It’s a rainy day, with 11 teams and over 20 kids from different schools lined up at the start of the track. While three of them are wearing Loy Norrix uniforms, only one of them would make history.
On Apr. 25, 2025, junior Jackson Lam broke a 57-year-old track and field school record in the 1600 m running event at the Don Lukens Invitational, a track and field meet hosted annually at Griffith Stadium.
“It was probably the best feeling I felt after finishing a race,” said Lam. “I knew that I’d be able to close in 64 [1:04] for the last quarter. It didn’t dawn on me until the last 100 meters that I’d break it.”
The original record was held by Gary Harris in 1968, with a final time of four minutes and 19 seconds. Lam surpassed the record this year with a final time of four minutes and 13 seconds. In Lam’s previous season, he missed the school record by only a few seconds.
“It was definitely one of my goals. I had only run 4 seconds off of it last year,” said Lam. “I was coming into this season a lot stronger and healthier, and I had a lot more training under my belt.”
To add more weight to this achievement, the meet where Lam broke this record was the Don Lukens Invitational named for the former LN track coach, Don Lukens, who recently passed away.
“I cried a little bit when I gave my dad a hug. I was very emotional,” said Lam. “I felt like I could fulfill everything he [Lukens] worked for and the program that Coach Duckett has continued.”
This is not Lam’s first school record. He currently holds the records for both the 5 km and now the 1600 m. He also held multiple middle school records until his younger brother beat the records in 2025.
“It’s an honor to have my name on the board for the 2nd time, which is even harder than just getting on the board the first time,” said Lam.
Lam also said his coaches were very helpful in achieving his goal.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to everyone who helped me get there: Coach Schmidt. Coach Duckett, Coach Bates,” said Lam. “They have all been very influential and helpful, and they are the reason why I can do what I do.”
Lam has consistently demonstrated that hard work goes a long way and that there is no limit to achieving your goals.
“If you’re a freshman or middle schooler, you just need to consistently show up because that’s all I do,” said Lam. “I don’t have a special workout or a special thing that I eat or special shoes that I wear. It’s just that I show up every day and give it my 100% effort.”
