Known for being the youngest track and field athlete from the U.S. to qualify for the Olympics since 1980, Vashti Cunningham has been the top name in the high jump in the USA. From 2016 to 2023, she completely dominated the National Championships and Olympic trials, consistently taking home the title.

However, this seven-year streak was toppled at the 2024 US track and field championship in a thrilling turn of events. Day 4 of the 2024 US Olympic Track and Field Trials at Tracktown brought some serious drama in the women’s high jump finals. These trials also determine the US national champions in track and field for 2024.

In the women’s high jump finals at the 2024 track and field Olympics trials, Charity Hufnagel from Kentucky pulled off a big surprise with a new personal best of 1.94m. She broke Vashti Cunningham’s streak by winning her first USATF title on Monday night, clearing a personal best of 6’4.25”/1.94 meters. Hufnagel was on fire, effortlessly clearing five heights in a row, including her record-setting jump, without a single miss.

But after grabbing the title, Hufnagel took a shot at the Olympic standard of 6’5.50”/1.97 meters. It would’ve punched her ticket to Paris, but she missed all three attempts. Now, she has until June 30 to try again at another meet or hope her world ranking gets her on Team USA. Rachel Glenn from Arkansas nabbed second place with a 1.94m jump, while Vashti Cunningham secured third at 1.91m—just four inches off her best.

Despite not winning the championship, Cunningham had already cleared the Olympic standard height of 6 feet, 5½ inches earlier in the year, solidifying her spot on the U.S. team for Paris. Cunningham faced unexpected challenges, including a jump-off with Jenna Rogers from the University of Nebraska to secure third place. Both Cunningham and Rogers missed at an inch higher, but Cunningham clinched third by clearing 6 feet, 3¾ inches.

Women’s High Jump Final Results:

🥇 Charity Hufnagel – 1.94m
🥈 Rachel Glenn – 1.94m
🥉 Vashti Cunningham – 1.91m

With this resilient performance, Vashti Cunningham  will now head to her third Olympics showdown. Vashti’s Olympic journey began in Rio back in 2016, where she made her debut as the youngest track and field athlete from the U.S. to qualify for the Games since 1980.  Since bursting onto the scene at the 2016 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a gold medal performance in Portland, Oregon, she’s dominated both indoor and outdoor events and made it to 2 Olympic Games. But did you know that this high jump phenom comes from a family with strong roots in the NFL?

How are Vashti Cunningham and NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham related?

Vashti Cunningham’s father and coach is Randall Cunningham, a retired NFL quarterback. Their family is all about sports excellence, with her uncle Sam Cunningham and brother Randall Cunningham II also making their mark in the NFL. It all started when Vashti was just a fourth-grader entering the track world, and her dad, now a pastor, took on the role of training her in the high jump right from the start.

Their bond grew strong over the years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Vashti, known for her fiery personality, often clashed with Randall, desiring him to be more of a father than a coach at times. However, despite their occasional disagreements, Vashti always trusted her father’s guidance and now she calls herself her father’s “mini-me.”

A touching moment in their father-daughter coaching journey happened on Father’s Day 2021 when Vashti spontaneously cleared 6 feet, 5 inches (1.96 m) in the high jump, securing her spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Summer Olympics. As Vashti reflected on their relationship, she shared with PEOPLE, “I really love working with my dad because I noticed how he just doesn’t want the credit, he just wants the best for me. And I think that that’s probably the biggest blessing, is being able to work so closely with somebody like that.” Reflecting on their tight bond, let’s explore Randall Cunningham’s NFL achievements and how the fierceness of the sport uniquely prepared him to coach his daughter, Vashti.

Randall Cunningham’s NFL career influenced his career as a track and field coach

Randall Cunningham’s path from NFL quarterback to coach for his daughter, Vashti Cunningham, in track and field was quite a journey. Randall’s NFL career spanned an impressive 16 seasons, during which he played for notable teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens. Randall was known for his skills as a quarterback, making four Pro Bowl appearances and landing on three All-Pro teams. His versatility on the field earned him respect from fans and fellow players, and he even scooped up the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1992.

During his NFL days, Randall developed a tough strength and conditioning routine that included weight training and plyometrics, influenced by techniques he learned from Eastern Bloc athletes. Transitioning from quarterback to high jump coach felt natural for Randall and his NFL training laid the groundwork for coaching Vashti. He brought his expertise in maximizing physical potential and leadership skills to her training sessions. He has always motivated her to reach for the stars and grab every opportunity, mirroring his determination while leading NFL teams.

He once shared, “And that’s the mentality I put in my daughter. I’m like, ‘Look, this is your career. And you can either be the best or you can be one of the rest, or you can be a GOAT. You can become the greatest of all time at some point in your life. It depends what you want.'” Heading into her third Olympics this year in Paris, it’s evident that the dynamic between Vashti Cunningham and her father has propelled her to the pinnacle of her sport. What do you think about their journey together? Share your thoughts in the comments below!