'Once in a lifetime' runner, Timpview's Jane Hedengren, redefines 'what's possible with belief'

PROVO — At 18 years old, Timpview High track star Jane Hedengren has redefined running — not only in Utah but at a national level, too.

The first-ever girl from the state of Utah to win the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year award for cross country started running with a local track group as a way to do something new with friends.

But Hedengren comes from a family of successful runners and soon found it to be something she was incredibly good at as she got older. As such, she eventually became "totally committed" to the sport and has claimed a national title and many records along the way.

"I became totally committed to track when through my hard work great things came about," Hedengren said. "I don't look at records because I'm trying to redefine what's possible with myself. Sometimes with having that record there, I can think a standard is good when I want to push way past that."

Her most recent accomplishment was a course-record 16-minute, 32.7-second finish at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland to claim her first national title at the event.

"Jane is someone that to know how good she is you really do have to understand running," her coach Jaimie Ribera said. "I just want to get her through these next couple months here with high school track and then I just get to be a Jane Hedengren fan."

To hear how Hedengren got started running and what drives her today — as well as where she plans to continue her running after high school — watch the story above.

Check out more Beyond The Game videos, including one about how Jay and Sara Hill's commitment to each other has helped them through life's complications, or about how longtime former BYU coach and Runnin' Utes star Jeff Judkins is spending his retirement, among many more.

Related topics