Cunningham raises bar with national high jump record

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Vashti Cunningham knew it would be the last time she would compete at historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium as a prep athlete.

So, the Bishop Gorman High junior wanted to treat the crowd at the 57th Mt. San Antonio College Relays to one more memorable performance before the stadium renovation.

Cunningham set the national high school record in the girls high jump by clearing 6 feet, 4 1/4 inches (1.94m) on her first attempt Saturday, eclipsing the mark of 6-4 set in 1993 by five-time U.S. Olympian Amy Acuff and equaled in 2009 by Oklahoma State star Toni Young.

Her jump was the highest by any American female athlete this year and ranks No. 3 in the world.

"It was time. This was the day. I felt it since I was warming up, I just knew it. I had been doing all the work I needed to do to get it, so I had no doubt in my mind," Cunningham said. "It's just a really happy moment for me. I can't wait to go higher."

Acuff held only the U.S. high school record because her clearance came in her last meet as a prep athlete against an international field in Innsbruck, Austria. The performance came more than four years before Cunningham was born.

"It means a lot to me because my dad has told me about her since I was a little kid and I was like 'Oh, I'm never going to do that,'" Cunningham said. "To finally do it, I just feel like never doubt yourself, you can do anything that you put your mind to and work for."

Young matched Acuff's height at the Norman North meet in Oklahoma in 2009 to share the U.S. prep record and set the National Federation High School record.

Cunningham, who already held the U.S. 15-16 age group record when she cleared 6 feet in 2013, now holds the 17-18 age group record as well. Her previous career-best jump was 6-3 last May in Nevada and she cleared 6-2 1/2 in March.

Cunningham also equaled the U.S. junior record set by Tanya Hughes in 1991 to repeat as Mt. SAC Relays champion, before missing on three attempts at 6-6.

"A lot of great people perform here," Cunningham said. "I want to be one of those great people to perform here that comes back and says 'In high school, I broke this record here.' I want to be a part of that greatness."