BYU freshman Jane Hedengren captured her first NCAA title on Friday night, winning the women’s 5000 metres in 15:00.12 at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
Hedengren, already the NCAA record holder in the event, moved decisively in the closing stages to defeat Alabama’s Doris Lemngole, the two-time defending NCAA cross country champion. Lemngole, who had previously held the edge in their collegiate meetings, finished second in 15:03.42.
The victory marks Hedengren’s first NCAA crown and continues a remarkable freshman campaign for the BYU standout.
Hedengren, who broke several US high school records in 2025, was competing in her first NCAA track final. With the victory, she became the first freshman in NCAA history to win the women’s 5000 metres at the indoor championships.
Hedengren took the lead before the end of the first mile, which was covered in a pedestrian 5:04.43. She then dropped the pace, running the following mile in 4:46.36 to reach 3200 metres in 9:50.79 and put the pressure squarely on Lemngole and Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico.
Hedengren saved her best for last by running the final 1600 in a speedy 4:33.72. During the final few laps, she continued to increase the pace to take a dominating win over the field and the title.
