G.O.A.T. Status Secure, Hedengren Completes Historic Spring Campaign With 8:40.03 3,000 Meters On Wet, Cold Day At Nike Outdoor Nationals; Tate Taylor Edges Maurice Gleaton In Highly Anticipated 100; Jackson Cantwell Leaves Ring As National Shot Put Champion

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Becky Holbrook photos

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS | WEBCAST

EUGENE — Jane Hedengren beat the wavelights to the finish line on a soggy afternoon at Hayward Field, gave a tearful hug to her mother and completed one of the most impressive and fascinating high school running chapters in history. 

With the lights set to her record pace of 8:40.99 from a couple of weeks ago, Hedengren outlasted and outkicked herself in the final homestretch and crossed the finish line in 8:40.03. 

"Depending on how I was feeling I wanted to close it out strong and get those lights at the end there," she said. "It was much more of a battle than I anticipated, but I'm here for it and I just wanted to maxmize that effort today."

Hedengren had entered Sunday's scheduled mile at Nike Outdoor Nationals as well, but will not run it. 

There is nothing left to prove at the high school level, where she owns every national record from 1,600 meters to 5,000. Timing was also set up for the 2,000 meters split and she broke the record in that, too. 

Hedengren will enroll at BYU in the fall as the most accomplished high school runner in history and new benchmark for future generations. 

She dove into the science of running mechanics, nutrition, strength training and cross-training in ways that set her apart from her peers. 

"I have a lot of behind the scenes stories about what she puts into it," Jane's father, John Hendengren, a BYU professor of Chemical Engineering and a former All-American on the track, said. "From listening to podcasts to looking at the latest research on physiology, she's a student of the sport. I think she's unique in that way."

Jane Hedengren, on top of hitting the gym, cross-training, running five days a week and cooking for herself, conducted a research project on Contralateral Pelvic Drop. The findings showed that for every 1 degree of CDP there was an additional 8 percent chance of injury risk. 

Working with one of the top physical therapists in Utah, a strength and conditioning coach employed by Nike, a running mechanics expert, McGyver Clark, and her high school coach, Jaimie Ribera, Hedengren had input from a range of experts. 

"The way we look at it, she's the CEO and she's got a board of advisors," John Hedengren said. "She can decide who's on the board."

Hedengren won her first Nike Outdoor Nationals title two years ago, but the trek through high school running had its ups and downs. But since a breakout race at Nike Cross Southwest last November, every race she has competed in has been an attention-grabber. 

By Saturday afternoon, Hedengren was content and relieved to have earned some rest. 

"It did feel like a victory lap, especially with a lot of uncertainties coming in," she said. "I just wanted to be bold out there and run as strong as I coud."

Hedengren's record-breaking run came after Cooper Lutkenhaus, the sophomore phenom from Texas, made history by becoming the first 800-meter runner in high school to run under 1:46. He powered through the wet conditions on the track and crossed the line in 1:45.45. 

Local cult hero Bodey Lutes from Coos Bay, Ore. hung on for as long as he could and finished second in US#5 1:47.74. At the moment, his college destination is NCAA D2 Western Oregon. 

A crowd that endured cold and rain throughout the day rose to its feet in anticipation of the spectacle of a boys 100 meters final featuring three sprinters who have run under 10 seconds. 

And the show didn't disappoint. Junior Tate Taylor edged Maurice Gleaton Jr by .01 seconds, 10.10 to 10.11 as both went under the meet record. Brayden Williams finished third in 10.17. 

Taylor and Gleaton didn't stop for interviews and are entered in the 200-meter prelims Sunday morning. 

Mia Maxwell won the girls 100 meters in 11.35 seconds, with just five of the lanes filled for the final. Her sister, Mariah, was second in 11.52 seconds. 

Corbin Coombs from Las Cruces, N.M. won an exceptionally fast boys 3,000 meters in a time of 8:03.58 and three more ran under 8:08. Junior Paul Van Laningham from Kentucky was second in 8:04.89, Charlie Vause was third in 8:07.66 and another junior, Malachi Schoenherr of Eugene was fourth in 8:07.82. 

Jackson Cantwell, son of a former world record holder and the nation's top offensive line recruit, won the NON shot put crown in rainy conditions with a best mark of 71-8 (21.24m). He earlier had won the U20 title with the 6-kilogram implement. 

His pursuit of Michael Carter's legendary record came to a close and it's not clear whether Cantwell will ever compete in the shot put again. His football goals come first. 

But of Carter's record, Cantwell said, "I don't think there's anyone currently alive that will get that record."

In the girls shot put, national leader Jessica Oji overcame the conditions to produce a winning throw of 54-5.25 (16.59m). 

The weather canceled the planned Shot Put Showcase, and as a consolation, winners of a rock-paper-scissors contest played for the right to take on Olympic champion Ryan Crouser in a best-of-three.

The boys pole vault saw several top names drop out because of the rain, but that played into the hands of Chase McGee, the Washington all-time record holder, who won the title with 16-10 (5.13m). 

Ja'Shaun Lloyd (Corsicana TX) won the boys 110-meter hurdles in a time of 13.28 seconds. 

Jasmine Robinson (North Cobb GA) beat a deep field in the girls 100 hurdles final in 13.30. 

Jayden Horton-Mims from Philadelphia (Imhotep) didnt let the weather affect him in the boys 400 meters, splashing through his lane to win in 45.58 seconds. 

Brooke Lloyd (Humble Summer Creek TX) won the girls 400 meters title in 52.48. 

The day closed with the championship 4x800 relays. 

California rivals Santiago and J Serra battled to the end of the girls race. Santiago ran 8:58.01; J Serra 8:59.08.

Downers North TC of Illinois won the boys 4x800 relay in 7:34.76, good for US#6.