Adarra Hagelund cleared 5-11.25 in the high jump to win the NDSU Tune Up. Photo courtesy of Dickinson State Athletics
If high jumping were a subject, Adarra Hagelund would be in a class of her own.
The Dickinson State senior from Soldotna soared to new heights in Fargo, N.D., clearing a jaw-dropping 5 feet, 11.25 inches to win the NDSU Tune Up. Hagelund reset her own program record, conference record and Alaska record, all while becoming the third-best high jumper in NAIA outdoor history.
Hagelund netted her 34th collegiate win in the event, topping her nearest competitors from Division I North Dakota State.
The reigning indoor and outdoor national champion entered the competition at 5-4.5, clearing the opening height on her first attempt, followed by another one-and-done at 5-6.5.
After soaring over 5-8.5 on her second attempt, Hagelund surpassed 5-10.5 in one try to improve her then-season best and NAIA lead.
As the final jumper in the competition, the senior remained locked in and ready for takeoff, clearing a herculean 5-11.25 on her first attempt. Hagelund concluded the competition after three tries at 6-0.
It’s safe to say Hagelund’s hard work and dedication have paid off as she trails only Azusa Pacific’s Latrese Johnson (6-2.5) and Ruky Abdulai (6-0.75) of Simpson (Iowa) in NAIA outdoor history, while tying for third all-time with Bailey Collier of Southwestern (Kan.).
Hagelund’s jump is the highest by an NAIA athlete outdoors since Abdulai’s clearance in 2007, while Johnson’s record was set back in 1991.
And it also marks her first competition this season that focused solely on her signature event, as Hagelund has continued to venture into the depths of the heptathlon, long jump, triple jump and hurdles, setting personal bests along the way.
The Blue Hawk’s ascent to the top has been unparalleled, having picked up high jumping during her senior year at SoHi and winning the state title in her maiden season before signing with Dickinson State.
Since then, she’s added more than 10 inches to her personal best, topped the former Alaska all-time high jump record twice, won two national titles and three All-American honors.
Hagelund was also recently named USTFCCCA’s National Athlete of the Week — a first in Dickinson State outdoor history — leaving her mark in NAIA history as she prepares to wrap up her illustrious collegiate career on the national stage, one jump at a time.
Alaska Women’s All-Time High Jump
- Adarra Hagelund, 5-11.25 (5/26)
- Emma Nelson, 5-10.00 (2/22)
- Nevaeh Watkins, 5-9.25 (6/25)
- Janay DeLoach, 5-8.00 (1/11)
- Ceil Dunleavy, 5-8.00 (5/17)
- Gabrielle Todd, 5-7.25 (2/13)
- Cathy Ballensky, 5-7.00 (1992)
- Alisha Allen, 5-7.00 (4/16)
- Renae Pickarsky, 5-6.00 (1983)
- Chase Stephens, 5-5.75 (2/20)
Source: Alaska Sports Report
