Photos by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport
Vashti Cunningham had another year of meet opportunities to take down Amy Acuff's national high school girls high jump record of 6'4", but why wait when you have a meet as great as the Mt. SAC Relays to make a name forever for yourself as the all-time greatest in an event? The junior from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada and often known as the daughter of former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham (most notably of the Philadelphia Eagles in the late 1980s and early 1990s), took down a 22 year old record set back in 1993 by the eventual 5-time Olympian in Amy Acuff!
After a somewhat disappointing, but still a win at 6 feet last weekend at the Arcadia Invite from the national leader, Cunningham came into the Mt. SAC Relays with an extra bounce and determination in her step and it showed on very first attempt at the new national record height of 6'4.25" by clearing it and mesmerizing the crowd at Mt. SAC in the process.
Cunningham gave several good tries next at 6'6", but had to settle with her new title as the U.S. high school national record holder in the girls high jump. Can she move the record up to 6'6" before she graduates next spring? It is certainly in the realm of possibilities and appears to be no physical limitation whatsoever for Cunningham!
More to come on Cunningham's historic performance!
