BYU's Jane Hedengren takes 1st place at NCAA 5000m championship

BYU star Jane Hedengren continued to add her name to the record books with another incredible performance in the NCAA women's track and field 5000m championships.

The Cougar freshman has performed at an unprecedented level since the beginning of the season, adding her name to both BYU and NCAA record books almost every meet.

Hedengren took first place in the 5,000m just beating out Doris Lemngole, one of the best NCAA women’s track and field athletes, and a pseudo rival of Hedengren.

The Cougar freshman has had a eye-catching first year with the program, but she isn't satisfied with what she's already done.

“It was discouraging not closing the way I wanted to,” Hedengren said in an interview with the LetsRun Youtube channel after the meet. “So today we [were] really focused on running relaxed.”

Hedengren secured a time of 15:00.12, just beating Lemngole with a time of 15:03.42. This was a much-needed victory in the rivalry for the BYU freshman after coming in second to Lemngole in the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championship.

“It feels really special to be here with my team,” Hedengren said to LetsRun. “I’m continuing to learn, there’s so much to learn … having some great people around me.”

Hedengren’s dominance makes it easy to forget that one year ago she was a senior at Timpview High School, showing just how much time she still has left to break collegiate records.

The freshman has had the chance to compete at multiple high level competitions in her first year at BYU, including the Big 12 cross country championships.

Hedengren looked calm and composed in her final lap for BYU, smiling once she knew she had finally created separation.

Hedengren also was awarded with the Big 12 women's Outstanding Freshman of the Year honor, highlighting her incredible first season.

Along with these Big 12 honors, Hedengren is also on the Bowerman Watchlist, highlighting the best collegiate women's track and field athletes across the country.

Hedengren will have the chance to break more records at the NCAA women's track and field championships before preparing for the outdoor track and field season, continuing her stellar season.