Jenna Hutchins Was Surprised By Her Record-Breaking Season

Earning an American U20 national outdoor 5K record and the national cross country high school record in one season came as a total surprise to Jenna Hutchins. 

Going into the year, the Science Hill (TN) junior didn't think it would be possible. Her eyes weren't even set on these feats.

Instead, her focus was to have fun and to take advantage of every opportunity she would have in front of her this fall. Hutchins understood not everyone across the country was getting the same chance as her to compete, so she wanted to make sure that every time she stepped on the course or track that she was going to give it her all. 

She became the first high school female athlete to break 16 minutes for 5K on the cross country course in November, running 15:58.42 to win the RunningLane Cross Country National Championships.

A few weeks later, at the Five and Dime Athletics Meeting, the 16-year-old smashed the high school national record and American U20 outdoor record with a 15:34.37 on the track, surpassi...