BYU freshman Jane Hedengren added another record to her résumé Sunday in New York.
Hedengren finished third in the 3,000-meter at the 2026 Millrose Games, behind Alabama’s Doris Lemngole of Kenya, but set the record for an American collegiate in the distance with a time of 8:34.98, according to CITIUS MAG.
“I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot,” she said of her fitness post-race, per LetsRun.com. “I don’t know how well that showcased it today to be quite honest, but definitely more to come. I’m excited for these opportunities, putting in effort out there and hopefully it will come together soon.”
Hedengren said that going into the race she “wanted to represent BYU well and just put in a good effort.”
Already this season, Hedengren shattered the NCAA record for the 5,000-meter in her first collegiate indoor race in December, as the Deseret News previously reported.
On Sunday, the freshman led the majority of the race behind pacemaker Sadie Sargent, a member of Nike Swoosh TC and a former BYU runner, until Nozomi Tanaka of Japan passed Hedengren just under the 2,000-meter mark.
Following the race, Hedengren said getting behind Sargent quickly was her plan going into the event, according to LetsRun.com.
Hedengren retook the lead with 400 meters to go. But 200 meters later, Lemngole and New Balance pro Hannah Nuttall of Great Britain caught her.
Lemngole’s first-place finish of 8:31.39 set a new NCAA record, nearly four seconds faster than Katelyn Tuohy’s 2023 record.
Hedengren’s time is now the NCAA’s second-fastest of all-time behind Lemngole, per FloTrack.
Sunday marked the first track meeting between Hedengren and Lemngole in what is shaping out to be a compelling rivalry.
It also was their first meeting since the 2025 NCAA cross country national championship, where Lemngole beat Hedengren to win the individual title.
How other current and former BYU runners fared
Hedengren and Sargent weren’t the only BYU representatives on the track for the 3,000-meter, which Hedengren referenced post-race.
“Starting off indoor season, a great opportunity to be out here with so many amazing women and so many BYU alums. So, felt really special to be out there with such a crew just rolling,” Hedengren said.
Behind Hedengren, pro Lexy Halladay-Lowry came in fourth (8:38.78), BYU senior Riley Chamberlain finished eighth (8:43.16), and pro Courtney Wayment placed 10th (8:52.01).
