Olivia Baerny: A Multidisciplinary Talent in Track and Field

Olivia Baerny has carved a distinctive path in track and field as a versatile athlete excelling in jumps, sprints, and combined events. From her early days as a cross country runner in Washington to her collegiate success at Azusa Pacific University, Baerny’s career reflects adaptability, technical precision, and a legacy rooted in family athleticism. This biography synthesizes her journey through high school, community college, and NCAA Division II competitions, highlighting her evolution into a multifaceted competitor.

Early Life and High School Career

Athletic Lineage and Initial Forays

Born into a family with deep ties to track and field, Olivia Baerny’s potential was evident early. Her father, Todd Baerny, held Kent-Meridian High School’s cross country record for over a decade and set marks in the 800m, mile, and two-mile events313. Her mother, Lisa Kaye, was a two-time collegiate All-American high jumper3. This genetic and environmental foundation propelled Olivia into athletics, though she initially focused on soccer at Jacksonville High School in Alabama3.

Transition to Distance Running

Baerny’s pivot to running began in earnest during her freshman year at Kent-Meridian High School in Washington. Competing in cross country, she quickly demonstrated promise, securing a 14th-place finish (19:57.8) at the 2016 Class 4A Westside Classic and qualifying for the state championships6. Her strategic pacing and mental resilience—honed through grueling hill workouts and interval sessions—became hallmarks of her approach4. By her senior year, she aimed for Border Clash, a prestigious regional meet, though her post-high school trajectory would shift toward technical events6.

Collegiate Development: Lane Community College

Emergence as a Combined Events Specialist

Enrolling at Lane Community College in Oregon, Baerny diversified her skill set. At the 2021 NWAC Southern Region Championships, she claimed titles in the triple jump (11.36m), 400m (1:02.59), and 4x400m relay (4:26.48), while finishing second in the heptathlon (3,813 points)12. Her heptathlon performance included a 1.50m high jump, 28.17m javelin throw, and 2:28.57 800m, showcasing her range8. Coaches noted her ability to balance speed and power, a trait rooted in her soccer background’s aerobic and multidirectional demands3.

Technical Refinement

Baerny’s progression in jumps was particularly notable. By 2021, her long jump (4.92m) and triple jump (11.36m) ranked among the NWAC’s top marks, while her shot put (8.45m) and 100m hurdles (17.17) underscored her capacity for technical events2. These results positioned her as a transfer target for four-year programs seeking multidisciplinary contributors.

Ascendance at Azusa Pacific University

PacWest Conference Impact

Transferring to Azusa Pacific University in 2023, Baerny transitioned to NCAA Division II competition. Competing in jumps, she earned Outdoor All-PacWest honors in the triple jump (11.75m) and contributed to team scoring at the 2023 PacWest Championships7. Her 2024 campaign marked a breakthrough: a 5.79m long jump at the Chris Rinne Invitational and a 11.96m triple jump at the Franson Last Chance Meet, the latter ranking 39th nationally7.

Event-Specific Mastery

Baerny’s technical growth under Azusa Pacific’s coaching staff is evident in her improved runway approach and takeoff mechanics. At the 2024 PacWest Championships, she placed third in the long jump (5.62m) and second in the triple jump (11.92m), cementing her status as a conference contender7. Her sprinting ability—evidenced by a 13.15 100m—complemented her jumping, allowing her to compete in relays and short sprints when needed7.

Technical Profile and Training Philosophy

Jumps Biomechanics

Baerny’s triple jump technique combines a 12-step approach with a penultimate stride emphasizing horizontal velocity retention. Her phase distribution—approximately 34% hop, 30% step, 36% jump—aligns with optimal models for maximizing distance7. Video analysis from the 2024 Bryan Clay Invitational reveals consistent takeoff angles of 18–20 degrees, minimizing vertical energy loss7.

Strength and Conditioning

Azusa Pacific’s program emphasizes plyometrics and Olympic lifts to enhance explosive power. Baerny’s regimen includes clean pulls (3 sets of 5 at 80% 1RM) and depth jumps (4×6 from 30cm boxes), targeting fast-twitch fiber recruitment1. Her social media posts highlight recovery strategies like contrast water therapy and dynamic stretching, critical for managing the demands of combined events1.

Challenges and Adaptations

Navigating Event Transitions

Baerny’s shift from distance running to jumps required recalibrating her training focus. Early collegiate meets revealed inconsistencies in her triple jump phases, with excessive braking forces during the hop step2. Through film study and technical drills—such as bounding over mini-hurdles—she improved phase continuity, boosting her personal best by 0.60m between 2021 and 202427.

Academic-Athletic Balance

Pursuing a degree in Art at Azusa Pacific, Baerny integrates creative disciplines into her mental preparation. She has cited figure drawing classes as enhancing her spatial awareness, indirectly benefiting her runway navigation1. This interdisciplinary approach mirrors the PacWest’s emphasis on holistic student-athlete development.

Legacy and Future Trajectory

Program Impact

At Azusa Pacific, Baerny’s school record in the triple jump (11.96m) has redefined expectations for multisport converts. Her success validates recruiting athletes with diverse athletic backgrounds, a strategy gaining traction in mid-major programs1.

Post-Collegiate Prospects

With eligibility remaining through 2025, Baerny aims to breach the 12.00m triple jump barrier—a mark that would place her among the top 25 NCAA Division II performers all-time. Beyond athletics, her artistic pursuits may lead to collaborations with sportswear brands, merging design with performance aesthetics1.

Conclusion

Olivia Baerny’s journey from Kent-Meridian’s cross country trails to PacWest podiums exemplifies the transformative potential of collegiate track and field. Her ability to synthesize speed, power, and technical precision across jumps and combined events offers a blueprint for aspiring multisport athletes. As she continues refining her craft, Baerny remains a testament to perseverance, familial legacy, and the enduring appeal of track and field’s varied disciplines.

For followers of NCAA athletics, her World Athletics profile and Azusa Pacific’s updates provide ongoing insights into a career blending artistic sensibility with athletic rigor

Go Olivia!