Jane Hedengren was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mountain Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year for her indoor season, the organization announced on Mar. 19.
Hedengren’s recognition comes after a standout freshman year in which she won two national titles at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, claiming victories in both the 3000-meter and 5000-meter events. She set a championship record in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:00.12, finishing ahead of defending champion Doris Lemngole from Alabama. In the 3000 meters, she recorded an 8:36.31, more than seven seconds faster than her closest competitor, earning two First Team All-American honors.
Earlier in her season, Hedengren set an NCAA record in the 5000 meters on Dec. 6, clocking a time of 14:44.79 during her first collegiate indoor race. She also ran the second-fastest collegiate indoor 3000 meters ever at the Millrose Games with a time of 8:34.98 and posted the third-fastest mile in NCAA history at 4:22.22.
At the Big 12 Championships, Hedengren secured victory in the 3000 meters and finished second in the mile event, contributing significantly to her team’s runner-up finish by scoring a total of 18 points.
This is Hedengren’s second USTFCCCA Mountain Region honor; she previously received recognition for cross country.
