Charlie Riedel / AP
Vashti Cunningham clears the bar Sunday, July 3, 2016, during the women’s high jump final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene Ore.
Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 | 8:30 a.m.
Bishop Gorman High grad Vashti Cunningham cleared 1.94 meters (about 6-feet-4 1/4) on her final jump to advance to Saturday’s women’s high jump finals at the Rio Olympic Games.
Cunningham, the 18-year-old daughter of former UNLV and NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, is one of 17 competitors to qualify for the next round. That includes fellow Americans Chaunte Lowe and Paige McPherson, who are both tied as top qualifiers because they cleared every jump this morning.
Cunningham cleared 6-6 ¼ earlier this year, so she has room to go, but the jitters of competing in her first Olympics showed up in some of today’s jumps. After starting at 1.85 meters, Cunningham missed her first jumps at 1.89 and 1.92, then missed her first two at 1.94 before clearing the bar on her third and final attempt to advance.
The final round of the women’s high jump begins at 4:10 p.m. Saturday.
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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