Jane Hedengren has been named the Big 12 Women’s Outstanding Freshman of the Year, according to an announcement from the conference on Thursday.
Hedengren, a true freshman, achieved this recognition after setting a new NCAA all-time record in the 5000-meter event at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. She completed the race in 14:44.79, which not only secured her victory but also became the 11th-fastest time globally and the second-fastest ever recorded by an American athlete. This performance surpassed Alabama’s Doris Lemngole’s previous NCAA mark by nearly eight seconds.
Earlier in February, Hedengren participated in the 118th Millrose Games where she finished third overall—outpacing nine professional runners—and established the second-best NCAA time in history for the 3000-meter distance. She was just behind Lemngole, who set a new record during that same competition.
At the David Hemery Valentine Invitational on February 14, Hedengren ran the mile in 4:22.22, making it the third-fastest mile ever run by a collegiate woman. During the Big 12 Championships, she finished as runner-up in the mile with a time of 4:24.33.
She concluded her conference championship appearance by winning the 3000-meter race with a time of 8:46.11—nearly ten seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
Hedengren is scheduled to compete in both the 3000-meter and 5000-meter events at the upcoming NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships from March 13-14.
