Vashti Cunningham will be competing in Rio in just a few weeks in the high jump, looking to become the first American woman to win a gold medal in the high jump since 1988.
She’s 18 years old and 6’1″. Her father is former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham. He’s also her coach. Here’s the E:60 piece on the Cunninghams and how Vashti’s journey to the 2016 Summer Olympics unfolded. [Side note: I love how Randall bribes her to motivate her. Press play and see what I’m talking about.]
https://vimeo.com/176860142
Video courtesy of ESPN
About The Author
Nick Piccone has covered Philly sports and events for over 14 years. He founded Bleeding Brotherly Love in April 2011, and renamed it Bleed Philly in 2013. In 2015, he joined Sean Brace in launching Philly Influencer, which quickly became a top Philly sports and culture website. He covered professional wrestling for PhillyVoice from 2015-2021, and co-launched The Straight Shooters podcast in 2015, covering the entire pro wrestling industry. He also produces content for Fox Sports Radio Philadelphia and the Villanova Sports Radio Network. He grew up in South Philadelphia and South Jersey, and is a graduate of Neumann University.
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Nick Piccone
