USATF Women’s High Jump — Seventh Crown for Cunningham

IT WAS A MOMENT fans have seen before, over and over again. Vashti Cunningham captured a national high jump title, this one her seventh outdoors, 16th overall.

As much as fans cheered loudly when the 27-year-old Cunningham cleared key bars, they also loved seeing her challengers, some of whom made significant breakthroughs.

The going got lively at 6-2 (1.88). OT champion Charity Hufnagel, up first, left the bar trembling but got the make. Villanova/Auburn alum Sanaa Barnes got over as well, a PR for her. Then Cunningham brushed it but it stayed up; she took over the lead on misses. Jenna Rogers, who jumped 3rd at the NCAA for Nebraska, and Emma Gates (on her third) made it over as well.

Those five then attacked 6-3¼ (1.91). Surprisingly, it was only Barnes and Arizona junior Gates who cleared on their first tries. For Barnes, it marked a second PR; Bates tied her best. Cunningham would clear the bar on her second try. Neither Hufnagel nor Rogers could get over.

The bar moved to 6-4¼ (1.94). Amazingly, Barnes cleared her third PR of the day on her first attempt. Cunningham followed, maintaining her lead because of a miss that Barnes had at 5-10¾ (1.80). Gates missed three times and bowed out in 3rd place.

The bar at 6-5½ (1.97), Barnes started to struggle. She had two misses before Cunningham cleared on her second try. On her last attempt, Barnes had impressive height with her torso, but the fatigue showed and she hit with her legs.

No more attempts for Cunningham, who celebrated No. 16 by hugging the officials. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy about a win in my life,” she said.

She explained what made 16 so special: “OK, so, I’ve had a very rough season to start out with, and it’s just been long, you know what I’m saying? And when you don’t know what it’s gonna look like in the end, you’re just going through it day-by-day.

“That’s what it’s just like. It feels so long and so exhausting. You’re wondering, like, ‘Was I just good for a moment?’ But God really showed up for me, and it’s just so awesome.”

WOMEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS

(August 01)

1. Vashti Cunningham (NikeRBNvG) 6-5½ (1.97) (out AL);

2. Sanaa Barnes (unat) 6-4¼ (1.94) PR (also 6-2/1.88 PR, 6-3¼/1.91 PR);

3. Emma Gates (unat) 6-3¼ (1.91) PR;

4. Charity Hufnagel (unat) 6-2 (1.88);

5. Jenna Rogers (unat) 6-2;

6. Morgan Smalls (Il) 5-10¾ (1.80);

7. Alyssa Jones (Stan) 5-10¾;

8. tie, Ajia Hughes (SnUt), Inika McPherson (unat) & Cierra Tidwell (unat) 5-10¾; 11. Paris Mikinski (Az) 5-10¾; 12. Destiny Masters (Wich) 5-8¾ (1.75); 12. Liz Evans (unat) 5-8¾; 14. Rachel Wilson (PittSt) 5-8¾;… nh—Emem Ntekpere (CWa).

Jeff Hollobaugh is a writer and stat geek who has been associated with T&FN in various capacities since 1987. He is the author of How To Race The Mile. He lives in Michigan where he can often be found announcing track meets in bad weather.