Josh Hoey and Jane Hedengren  at the 2025 BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener:

A Day of Records: BU Opener Delivers

Saturday, December 6, 2025  the indoor track at Boston University played host to what may go down as one of the most memorable December meets in recent middle- and long-distance history.

Under the glow of “FloTrack Night in America,” two athletes one a rising collegiate freshman, the other the U.S.’s top middle-distance pro produced record-shattering runs that stopped the track world in its tracks. (LetsRun.com)

Jane Hedengren: A Freshman Makes History

Nineteen-year-old freshman Jane Hedengren, competing for BYU Cougars, stunned the crowd by demolishing the collegiate indoor 5,000 metre record.

She clocked 14:44.79, an astonishing 7+ seconds faster than the previous mark of 14:52.57 set by Doris Lemngole only a year ago  and even faster than the previous collegiate outdoor 5,000 m record of 14:52.18. (LetsRun.com)

Her closing lap was something out of a movie: with roughly a mile to go she surged ahead, running a final 1600 metres in 4:35 (about 66.8 seconds for the last lap) to bury the field. (LetsRun.com)

With that run, Hedengren becomes the first collegiate woman indoors or out to dip under 14:50 for 5,000 m; she also ranks as the second-fastest American woman ever indoors behind only the national record holder, and enters the upper echelon of the all-time list for U.S. women. (FloTrack)

For a freshman in her first ever collegiate track race, the performance was almost surreal.

But Hedengren insisted after the race that she wasn’t shocked  she felt ready. “We’ve shown in practice that we’re around that level,” she said. (LetsRun.com)

Coach Diljeet Taylor had predicted she could be special.

What she unleashed on Saturday more than a 13-second personal best and now a bona fide NCAA record  reminds track fans why she has long been tabbed as a potential generational talent. (LetsRun.com)

Josh Hoey: From Middle-Distance Star to 600 m Record Breaker

Just 22 minutes after Hedengren’s bombshell run, Josh Hoey brought the hype to a fever pitch. In the men’s 600 m, he ran 1:12.84 shaving nearly a full second off the previous indoor world best of 1:13.77 set by Donavan Brazier in 2019. (LetsRun.com)

Despite tighter indoor curves and shorter straights, Hoey’s time ranks as the second-fastest ever in any conditions only 0.03 seconds shy of the legendary outdoor mark of 1:12.81 by Johnny Gray. (Watch Athletics)

He paced the race with his younger brother, Jonah Hoey, to ensure a smooth, conservative start (200 m split ~23.74 seconds), before unleashing a powerful final lap  splitting ~25.2 for the last 200. (FloTrack)

Hoey’s reaction? Humble. He described the meet as “preseason,” noting the vibes felt like a training session back home.

But make no mistake: this was a performance worthy of attention.

In a season already loaded with American indoor records the 800 m, the 1000 m, and a world indoor title  Hoey has now added the indoor 600 m world best to his résumé. (Wikipedia)

The race also underscores something many are talking about:

Hoey seems to be in phenomenally good shape, raising tantalizing questions about how much more he might have left in the tank for the rest of the 2025–26 indoor season. (LetsRun.com)

What This Means  And What To Watch Next

For Hedengren

• Her 14:44.79 instantly marks her as one of the top U.S. distance talents  not just among collegians, but among all American women indoors.

• Given her youth and rapid development, she’s almost certain to contend for NCAA titles  and possibly challenge national records  in 2026 and beyond.

• Her closing speed suggests she’s not just a mileage grinder; she has a fierce kick. That could make her dangerous at 3k, 5k, and perhaps even 10k or on the roads.

For Hoey

• The indoor 600 m is a rarely contested, non-championship event but still, 1:12.84 is world-class, and given in-season consistency, it solidifies him as a frontrunner for 800 m and 1500 m dominance.

• Because the 600 m isn’t typically run in major meets, the record may stand for a while  but given Hoey’s shape, a sub-1:12.8 is not out of the question.

• As he continues without a long-term coach (he parted ways with his previous coach earlier this fall) (Wikipedia)  how he manages training, racing frequency, and recovery will be crucial.

For the Meet & Indoor Track Scene

The 2025 BU Opener in particular the new “Elite Window” format  delivered in style.

A record-breaking women’s 5k, a world-best men’s 600 m, tight finishes in other races  the meet may reshape expectations for what early-season indoor events can deliver. (FloTrack)

It also sets the tone for 2026: with multiple athletes peaking early, the chase for NCAA titles, U.S. national records, and international glory is already heating up.

Final Thoughts

Saturday at BU was a showcase of what makes track & field special: raw talent, perfect execution, and history made in real time. Jane Hedengren’s 14:44.79  a staggering collegiate and U20 benchmark  suggests the U.S. may have unearthed a long-term distance superstar.

And Josh Hoey’s 1:12.84 600 m run? A blistering reminder that middle-distance racing can still surprise and excite.