Vashti Cunningham, daughter of Randall, headed to Olympics
Randall Cunningham is still the most famous member of his household, but he may not be for much longer.
Over the weekend, Cunningham’s 18-year old daughter, Vashti, qualified for the Summer Olympics in her specialty, high jump. Cunningham is the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic track team in decades.
She qualified by finishing second to veteran Chaunte Lowe (in contrast to Cunningham, Lowe is a 32-year old mother of three). Lowe cleared a world-leading 2.01 meters (or 6-foot-7) to win, with Cunningham clearing 1.97 meters (6-foot-5.5).
Cunningham is coached by her father, who is also currently working as her agent, as she turned pro earlier this year.
"This is greater than anything I've ever done. It's always better when your kid does it." -Randall Cunningham https://t.co/IxljgGhkne
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) July 4, 2016
Vashti’s spot on the U.S. team was expected – she is the reigning IAAF World Indoor Champion, a title she won in March with a clearance of 1.96 meters (6-foot-5). After winning that crown, Cunningham announced she was turning professional and signed a deal with Nike. She graduated from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas last month.
Cunningham is considered a medal favorite at the Games; her all-time personal best is 1.99 meters (6-foot-6.5), which she recorded in winning the U.S. National Indoor title in March.
Her older brother, Randall Cunningham II, just completed his sophomore year at USC and won the NCAA outdoor title in high jump last month with a jump of 2.25 meters (7-feet-4.5). He will compete for a spot on the Olympic team beginning Friday night, though he is not one of the favorites to make the team.