Overcoming a shoulder injury and surgery last season, Avery Baker-Schlendering displayed grit and perseverance at the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships to break her own school record twice and win the national title in the high jump.
“It was surreal and I was in disbelief,” Avery said. “I almost started crying, but told myself, ‘You’ve got to keep it together.’”
Avery trailed the leader at the meet before jumping 1.76 meters to tie, breaking a school record she set earlier in the season. She then broke her own record again to win the national title with a jump of 1.79 meters, becoming the fourth woman national champion in program history, and bringing home the program’s 12th national title.
From Freeport, Maine, Avery transferred to ONU in fall 2024 from another university to major in exercise physiology and join the Polar Bear Track and Field program. Athletic from an early age, she didn’t start participating in track and field until high school.
“I fell in love with the sport, especially the high jump,” she said. “It just clicked for me.”
During her first week of practice as a Polar Bear in October 2024, however, she dislocated her shoulder and tore her labrum, which required a surgical repair.
“It was very hard, especially being so far from home and new to the Polar Bear team,” she said. Encouragement from her teammates, coaches, and staff, especially head athletic trainer Krisi Hatem, motivated her during therapy and contributed to her comeback. “Krisi was my rock on days when I felt down,” said Avery. “She reminded me to be patient.”
In fact, Avery believes her strength training, combined with refining her technique, gave her an edge. While she notes that her performance was a bit up and down this year, she hit her stride right before the national championship meet.
“I made a little tweak and it finally clicked,” she said. “It was a real confidence booster.”
Reflecting on her national title, Avery says she couldn’t have done it without a strong support system. “Having a team and coaches where everyone supports one another and cheers you on—I definitely value that, and you can’t underestimate its importance.”