Jane Hedengren, a standout freshman from BYU, is set to compete in her first NCAA Division I cross country national championship. With just under 24 hours until the race, she participated in a press conference alongside competitors Grace Hartman from NC State and defending champion Doris Lemngole. Hedengren received significant media attention and expressed her excitement for the upcoming competition.
Historic Championship Potential
If Hedengren secures the individual title, she will make history as the first female true freshman to win since 1985. Remarkably, she has dominated her debut season by winning all three collegiate races. She achieved a course record at her first event, the Pre-National Invitational, finishing in 18:42.30, nearly 25 seconds faster than the previous record.
Impressive Performance at Championships
- Big 12 Championship: Hedengren set a record with a time of 18:29.60.
- NCAA Mountain Regional: She completed the 6,000-meter course in 19:06.60, finishing 42 seconds ahead of runner-up Pamela Kosgei.
Reflecting on her season, Hedengren emphasized personal growth and expressed gratitude for her team’s support. Despite increased media attention and pressure following a stellar high school career, she remains focused on enjoying the collegiate experience and competing against new rivals.
BYU’s Title Defense
BYU’s women’s team, the reigning national champions, enters the championship ranked No. 2 behind NC State. Head coach Diljeet Taylor is proud to lead the team as they seek back-to-back titles. She highlighted the importance of every championship as an opportunity for new athletes to demonstrate their skills.
Building a Competitive Rivalry
The recent national titles have been closely contested between BYU and NC State. Coach Taylor acknowledged the competitive rivalry and the respect shared between both programs. She also mentioned her collaboration with NC State’s head coach Laurie Henes to promote strong female leadership in NCAA athletics.
Race Day Details
The NCAA Division I cross country national championships will be broadcast on ESPNU. The women’s race is scheduled to commence at 8:20 a.m. MT, followed by the men’s race at 9:10 a.m. MT, featuring the BYU men’s team.
