Jane Hedengren has made headlines once again, marking a significant milestone in high school track and field. On June 5, 2023, the Timpview High School graduate shattered the U.S. high school mile record with a stunning time of 4:23.50 at the Hoka Festival of Miles in St. Louis, Missouri. This remarkable performance not only set a new standard for high school athletes but also stands as a U.S. U20 record.
### Lead from Start to Finish
At just 18 years old, Hedengren showcased her incredible athleticism by leading the race from start to finish. Winning by a staggering 12 seconds, she crossed the finish line at St. Louis University High School, leaving her competitors far behind. The previous outdoor mile record was held by Sadie Engelhardt, who clocked 4:28.46 in 2024. Hedengren’s impressive feat lowered that record by nearly five seconds, highlighting her dominance in the event.
“I’m really stoked with it,” Hedengren candidly expressed to DyeStat. “In these races, I’m trying to hit maximum effort, and I’ve found that allows me to run the best time on the day. I’m just grateful for my body and the gift this is.”
### Masterful Race Strategy
Hedengren executed her race with remarkable precision. After an explosive first lap, clocking in at 1:04.8, she settled into a steady rhythm by the 800-meter mark (2:11.3). As she approached the 1200-meter split at 3:16.5, she picked up the pace for a strong finish, completing the last lap in a brisk 1:07. In a testament to her exceptional talent, Hedengren’s time exceeded that of the professional women’s field participating in the same event. Mere moments after her race, elite runner Christina Aragon won the professional race with a time of 4:29.38.
### Nearly All-Time Collegiate Record
Looking ahead, if Hedengren were competing in the NCAA right now, her time would have shattered the collegiate record in the outdoor mile by two seconds. She fell just 0.04 seconds shy of the indoor collegiate mile record set by Silan Ayyildiz of Oregon earlier this year, a record that stands at 4:23.46.
### A Season of Records
Remarkably, this mile is just one of several historic feats Hedengren has achieved this season. In April, she crushed her own U.S. high school record in the 5,000 meters, finishing in an impressive 14:57.93 against seasoned professional and collegiate runners at the Bryan Clay Invitational. She became the first high school athlete to break the 15-minute barrier in this event. Additionally, not long before, she set another U.S. high school record in the 2-mile, completing it in 9:34.12 at the Arcadia Invitational. Earlier in the season, Hedengren also secured the U.S. high school record in the indoor mile with an outstanding time of 4:26.14.
### Upcoming Challenges
Following her record-breaking performance in the mile, Hedengren has ambitious plans for the rest of the season. She announced her intention to compete in the 2-mile at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle and the 3,000 meters at Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. Both events promise to showcase her extraordinary athletic capabilities as she aims to continue building her legacy in the world of track and field.
### Focus on Training and Future Prospects
Hedengren’s success thus far can be attributed to her rigorous training regimen, dedications, and an unyielding drive to excel. As she prepares to join Brigham Young University later this year, her performance in the high school ranks has set the stage for what many believe will be a remarkable collegiate career. With her exceptional talent, the running community is eagerly anticipating the next chapter in her athletic journey.
### Conclusion
In an era where young athletes are consistently pushing the boundaries of performance, Jane Hedengren’s record-breaking mile stands out as a testament to dedication, hard work, and talent. As she continues to redefine what is possible in high school track and field, her inspirational story serves as a motivating example for aspiring runners everywhere. The world will be watching as she moves forward in her athletic career, ready to inspire the next generation of athletes to reach for the stars.
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