Cunningham aims to reach new heights in outdoor opener

After setting national high school standard at Mt. SAC Relays in 2015, U.S. and World Indoor champion seeks record fourth consecutive victory, in addition to potential meet record

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Vashti Cunningham has already enjoyed several memorable moments in her career competing at the Mt. SAC Relays and the U.S. Olympian has an opportunity to add another impressive chapter Saturday at the meet’s 59th edition at El Camino College’s Murdock Stadium in Torrance.

Cunningham, 19, is not only looking to become the first female high jumper to win four consecutive years, but also to challenge the meet record of 6 feet, 6.75 inches (2.00m) shared by Tisha Waller in 1999 and Chaunte Lowe in 2006.

“I know 2.00 is definitely coming. I just couldn’t tell you when,” Cunningham said. “I never know how high I’ll jump before going in a meet.”

After winning the 2014 title with a 6-1 clearance (1.85m) competing for Bishop Gorman NV, Cunningham set the national high school record by clearing 6-4.25 (1.94m) in 2015 at Mt. SAC, before the meet was moved to Cerritos College last year because of construction at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.

“My favorite memory from going to Mt. SAC in high school was of course setting the record. But that night everything fell in to place in God’s plan. That was my favorite thing,” Cunningham said. “I had a feeling I would do well at that meet and it went through.”

In her professional debut last year, Cunningham battled strong winds to clear 6-4 (1.93m) to win the women’s invitational elite competition, matching former Arizona standout and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Brigetta Barrett (2011-13) with her third straight Mt. SAC victory.

Cunningham has only competed in one meet this year, defending her USATF Indoor title March 5 with a 6-5 (1.96m) clearance in Albuquerque, N.M.

She will now try to become only the fourth woman in meet history to win at least four high jump titles, joining Debbie Brill (seven), Amy Acuff (six) and Waller (five).

“Since this time last year I feel like I’ve learned a lot, with being around professionals and being in competition. I think it’s made me really sit back and evaluate every standpoint of the whole sport,” Cunningham said. “But as a jumper, I’ve matured and started to understand what jumping is and really started to visualize what I need to do to clear any height I face. Knowing is the easy part though, doing is definitely the challenge sometimes.”

Cunningham, the 2016 World Indoor champion, has a goal of clearing 6-8 (2.03m) this year, joining Louise Ritter, Barrett and Lowe as the only Americans to reach that rarefied air.

“I think 6-8 is good, but I’d like to see her go higher. She went up an inch last year, so she should get to at least 6-7 this year outdoors on a nice sunny, hot day,” said Randall Cunningham, Vashti’s father.

“Consistency has really been the key to her success. That’s why she can come out and jump 6-4, 6-5 all the time, because that’s what you have to jump to be one of the top jumpers in the world.”