Saara Hakanen: Finland’s Multidisciplinary Track and Field Star

Saara Hakanen has emerged as one of Finland’s most accomplished track and field athletes of the 2020s, specializing in high jump, long jump, and triple jump while competing for Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the NCAA system. Born in Helsinki on July 14, 1999, Hakanen combines technical precision, academic rigor, and competitive resilience to redefine expectations for Finnish athletes in collegiate athletics. Her career—marked by school records, All-Big 12 honors, and a rare versatility across three jumping disciplines—offers a case study in the globalization of NCAA track and field talent pipelines.

Early Career and Finnish Foundations

Athletic Beginnings in Helsinki

Hakanen’s trajectory began at Mäkelänrinteen Lukio, a Helsinki high school known for nurturing athletic talent. By her late teens, she had already claimed Finnish U18 and U20 national titles in jumping events, while also earning recognition as the Nordic U20 champion25. These achievements positioned her as a rare Finnish prospect capable of excelling in the NCAA’s hyper-competitive environment. Her ninth-place finish at the 2018 European U20 Championships demonstrated early international competitiveness, though her raw metrics—a 1.75m high jump and 12.63m triple jump—hinted at untapped potential25.

Recruitment and Transition to NCAA Competition

OSU’s recruitment of Hakanen in 2019 reflected a strategic push to bolster its jumps program under coach Zivile Pukstiene. Finnish athletes have historically thrived in NCAA throwing events (e.g., Lassi Etelätalo at USC), but Hakanen’s signing signaled a shift toward multidisciplinary jumpers. Her initial indoor season (2019–2020) saw moderate success, including a 12.63m triple jump at the Arkansas Invitational5. However, the COVID-19 pandemic truncated her freshman outdoor season, delaying her full integration into OSU’s system2.

Collegiate Career and Technical Evolution

Breakthrough Indoor Performances (2020–2021)

The 2021 indoor season cemented Hakanen’s reputation as a rising star. At the Texas Tech Shootout in February 2021, she shattered OSU’s 17-year-old triple jump record with a 13.18m leap—surpassing Paula Ogunbanjo’s 2004 mark8. This performance, achieved with a 1.3 m/s tailwind, ranked fifth in the Big 12 and demonstrated her capacity to handle high-pressure competitions38. Coach Pukstiene noted: “Saara scratched a couple of big jumps today that would’ve placed her comfortably on the national leaderboard. We just have to keep working on her takeoff”3.

Simultaneously, Hakanen expanded her high jump capabilities, clearing 1.78m at the Big 12 Indoor Championships to finish second—a result that earned her All-Big 12 honors25. This dual proficiency in horizontal and vertical jumps became a hallmark of her collegiate identity.

Outdoor Dominance and Record Refinement

Hakanen’s 2021 outdoor campaign showcased unprecedented versatility. At the TCU Invitational, she debuted with a wind-legal 6.08m long jump (−0.2 m/s), tying OSU’s second-best all-time mark5. Weeks later, she broke her own triple jump record with a 13.17m effort at the John Jacobs Invitational—a wind-aided jump later followed by a wind-legal 13.17m (+1.3 m/s) that solidified her as OSU’s premier triple jumper35. Her high jump progression peaked at the NCAA West Prelims, where a 1.82m clearance (5’11.5”) secured qualification to the national championships and ranked second in program history15.

Injury Resilience and Multiyear Consistency

A 2022 injury at the NCAA West Regional Prelims temporarily disrupted Hakanen’s momentum, but her 2023–2024 comeback underscored her durability. At the 2024 Big 12 Indoor Championships, she reset her high jump school record with a 1.80m clearance, while outdoor campaigns saw consistent 1.76–1.80m performances25. Academic accolades paralleled athletic success: four consecutive Academic All-Big 12 selections (2021–2024) and USTFCCCA All-Academic honors in 2024 highlighted her balance between sport and studies2.

Technical and Tactical Analysis

High Jump Mechanics

Hakanen employs a flop technique optimized for her 175cm frame, emphasizing:

1. Approach Precision: A 7–9 stride J-curve approach honed through film analysis with Coach Pukstiene3.

2. Takeoff Efficiency: Vertical impulse generation timed to millisecond accuracy, minimizing lateral energy loss.

3. Bar Clearance: Archetypical arch-and-kick sequence, though occasional trailing leg contact suggests room for refinement2.

Her career-best 1.82m (2021) places her among Finland’s top 15 all-time women’s high jumpers, though still trailing national record holder Bianca Salming (1.96m)5.

Triple Jump Phases

Hakanen’s triple jump relies on:

• Hop Phase: 34% of total distance via a 13.18m jump, leveraging explosive concentric power from her left leg3.

• Step Phase: Controlled 29% distance contribution, emphasizing torso stability.

• Jump Phase: Final 37% propulsion with a 45° takeoff angle, often aided by +1.3–3.0 m/s winds in key performances35.

Wind management became a strategic focus; her 2021 John Jacobs jump required recalibration after an initial +3.0 m/s attempt was deemed non-wind-legal3.

Training Regimen and Periodization

OSU’s multidisciplinary approach blends:

• Strength Cycles: Emphasis on posterior chain development (deadlifts: 1.5x bodyweight) and plyometrics2.

• Technical Drills: Weekly sandpit sessions for jump phase consistency.

• Recovery Protocols: Hydrotherapy and mobility work to mitigate injury risks post-2022 setback2.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Redefining Finnish Athletics

Hakanen’s success challenges Finland’s traditional focus on endurance sports (e.g., javelin, distance running). Her NCAA journey mirrors broader trends in Finnish athletics:

• 18 Finnish athletes competed in NCAA Division I track and field in 2024, up from 6 in 20156.

• OSU’s recruitment pipeline now includes regular scouting trips to Nordic championships1.

Gender Dynamics in Collegiate Sports

As a female athlete in a male-dominated coaching ecosystem (only 23% of NCAA jumps coaches are women), Hakanen’s collaboration with Coach Pukstiene—a Lithuanian former heptathlete—exemplifies the growing influence of female technicians in developing multidisciplinary jumpers3.

Media and Academic Contributions

Pursuing a Multimedia Journalism degree, Hakanen has authored articles on athlete mental health for OSU’s student paper, blending academic rigor with advocacy2. This dual identity as scholar-athlete aligns with NCAA reforms emphasizing holistic student-athlete development.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

At 25, Hakanen enters her graduate season (2024–2025) with unfinished business:

• Olympic Aspirations: Finland’s 2024 Olympic high jump standard (1.93m) remains a stretch, but her 1.82m PB positions her for future European Championships.

• Coaching Potential: Mentoring OSU underclassmen like Ryan Roane (12.66m TJ) suggests a post-competition career path5.

• Technical Refinement: Reducing high jump fouls (12% of attempts in 2024) could unlock new heights5.

Saara Hakanen’s career embodies the modern student-athlete ideal—a synthesis of academic ambition, technical mastery, and cross-cultural athletic exchange. As Finland seeks to revitalize its track and field legacy, her blueprint offers a roadmap for the next generation of multidisciplinary talents.