IRVING, Texas – Jane Hedengren garnered the Big 12 Women’s Outstanding Freshman of the Year honor, the conference announced Thursday afternoon.
The true freshman earned the award after setting the No. 1 all-time NCAA mark in the 5000-meter at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, where she clocked 14:44.79 to win. The time became the 11th-fastest in the world and the second-fastest ever by an American. Her record broke Alabama’s Doris Lemngole’s previous mark by nearly eight seconds.
Hedengren kicked off February at the 118th Millrose Games, where she finished third, ahead of nine professionals, and set the No. 2 all-time NCAA mark in the 3000m, just behind Lemngole, who broke the record in the same race.
The Provo, Utah product set the third-fastest mile in NCAA history at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Feb. 14, crossing in 4:22.22. She also finished runner-up in the mile at the Big 12 Championships in 4:24.33.
Hedengren capped her conference championship meet with a win in the 3000m, crossing in 8:46.11, nearly 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
She is set to compete in the 3000m and the 5000m at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships from March 13-14.