Moanalua senior, Rahieum Lee traveled to New York to compete in the USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships in late June.
Lee competed in the 800 meter run in the Men's 17-18 bracket. In his 2nd straight year at the championships, the Hawaii high school standout was determined to improve on his last years 8th place finish.
In the Prelims, Lee was able to finish 8th place to secure a spot in the Championship finals after running a 2:01.030. Which was his first race after returning from injury.
"I ran 2.01 at that time. It was like kind of slow for me. But to come back from injury, run a 2.01, I was like, 'You know, you didn't think you were that fast. You have a chance now to do something on the national stage'," said Lee.
The Senior not just raced in the finals, but finished in 4th place, 4 places higher than his previous year and while also breaking his own personal record.
Lee ran a 1:55.98 in the finals to secure his top 5 finish.
"it's about obviously being fast and just be fast the right time," said Lee.
So the Moanalua runner, despite not running during the Hawaii High School Track and Field postseason due to a hamstring injury, was able to come away with All-American status and a top 5 finish on the national stage this summer.
"It's definitely very humbling because, you know, not a lot of people get it (All-American Status) and that's what makes qualifying for All-American so hard," said Lee.