{"id":20980,"date":"2021-06-22T21:02:40","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T02:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=20980"},"modified":"2021-06-22T21:15:07","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T02:15:07","slug":"vashti-cunningham-daughter-of-former-qb-randall-cunningham-makes-olympic-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=20980","title":{"rendered":"Vashti Cunningham, daughter of former NFL 4X PRO BOWL QB Randall Cunningham, makes Olympic team"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vashti Cunningham showcased why she\u2019s the best women\u2019s high jumper in the country in May when she leaped a personal best of 6 feet, 7\u00bd inches at the Chula Vista Field Fest. Days leading up to the U.S. Olympic track and field\u00a0trials, Cunningham envisioned jumping a new personal record.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Cunningham didn\u2019t eclipse her personal best, but a gold medal and trip to Tokyo is a more than worthy consolation prize. The 23-year-old won the women\u2019s high jump at 6-5\u00a0to qualify for her second Olympics.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe final was very exciting for me. I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about it days leading up to it. I was so ready to be there,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cI didn\u2019t quite jump the height that I wanted to, but I was just happy to go through (and) to win my first trials title.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the 2016 trials, the then 18-year-old Cunningham finished second. Five years later, she was the only high jumper to clear 6-5.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis meet right here meant a lot to me. I really, really wanted the title in 2016 but I was young and just trying to navigate my way,\u201d Cunningham explained. “So, it really means a lot to me to come here today and get that title.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cunningham\u2019s family was at Hayward Field to witness her win the crown. She is coached by her father, former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moments after the event she opened up about winning in front of her coach and father on Father\u2019s Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe feeling is just amazing. I was looking at pictures of us over the years. I sent them to him, and I was like \u2018Happy Father\u2019s Day.\u2019 I know that making him happy, makes me feel so good. I was blessed to have my family here and my dad,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cI\u2019m happy it was on Father\u2019s Day.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

A little over a month from now, Cunningham will try to capture her first Olympic medal. She placed 13th at the 2016 Olympics. She\u2019s confident things will be much different this time around.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cunningham\u2019s 6 feet, 7\u00bd inches clearance in May is the No.1 mark in the world this year. She didn\u2019t exceed her personal best on Sunday night, but she is in prime position to earn a spot on the podium in Tokyo.<\/strong><\/p>\n