Bishop Gorman’s Vashti Cunningham leaps to high jump finals at US Trials

EUGENE, Ore. — Bishop Gorman High alum and Olympic hopeful Vashti Cunningham easily qualified for the high jump final at the U.S. Track and Field Trials on Friday afternoon at Hayward Stadium.

The 18-year old Cunningham will jump Sunday for the right to represent the U.S. at the Rio Olympics in August.

She passed on the first height of 1.74 meters and then effortlessly cleared 1.84 (6 and 1/2 feet).

UNLV senior Kaysee Pilgrim also made 1.84 on her third and final attempt, also advancing to Sunday’s final.

“My Dad (Randall) just told me to take today like a practice and it went smooth,” Cunningham said. “I’m going to attack on Sunday. I’m very confident. I don’t think there is as much pressure on me as others who have been here before. I’m here, but I don’t feel pressure. I wouldn’t call myself the favorite.”

Amy Acuff, a five-time Olympian in the high jump and now 40, failed to make the 1.84 standard to advance and announced her retirement.