Utah: Freshman Cross Country Ace Jane Hedengren Shatters BYU Records in Collegiate Debut

In Provo, BYU freshman sensation Jane Hedengren blazed through her first college meet at the BYU Autumn Classic, clocking a 16:42 5K that not only won by 20 seconds but also erased two program freshman benchmarks, propelling the Cougars to a team sweep. The 18-year-old's poise signals a bright future in NCAA distance running.

Underdog vibe:

Transitioning from rural high school trails where she trained solo amid family farm duties, Hedengren's quiet confidence turned skeptics into believers during a gritty mid-race surge. X users buzzed with "BYU bolt" highlights, praising her as a beacon for overlooked rural athletes chasing big dreams against urban elites.