Vashti Cunningham, a high school senior just shocked the track and field world last weekend by winning the U.S. Indoor Women’s High Jump Championship and crushing her own national high school record.
Vashti, who is the daughter of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, cleared 6 feet, 6 ¼ inches (1.99 meters) to defeat American record holder Chaunte Lowe. This is certainly an amazing feat for Vashti and her father, who serves as her coach.
Vashti decided to forgo competing in the New Balance Nationals against the top high school athletes, and instead competed at the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships in Portland, Oregon against the some of the best high jumpers in the country.
Vashti could represent the United States in Rio at the 2016 Olympic Games if she continues to progress and maintain form throughout the season. She will eventually be faced with the decision to compete in college or turn professional.
My guess is that she will turn professional at the end of the season. Vashti is already one of the best high jumpers in the country and possibly by the end of the season, she could be one of the best in the world.
By: Dr. Brandon Spradley, Director of Sports Management, USSA. Dr. Spradley can be reached at bspradley@ussa.edu
Check out the video of Vashti’s winning jump: Vashti Cunningham High Jump