Vashti Cunningham
Photo Credit: James Lang/USA Today Sports
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Bishop Gorman (NV)
High Jump
Cunningham comes from a long line of athletic success, with former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham for a father and USC track and field star Randall Cunningham II as her older brother, but she made a name for herself in high school.
The Bishop Gorman (NV) high jumper currently sits as the only high school female to ever eclipse 6-4 outdoors and 6-3.25 indoors, owning both outdoor and indoor national records of 6-5 and 6-6.25. Cunningham earned her first international win in 2015 with a clearance of 6-5 at the Pan American Junior Championships
But Cunningham did more than set impressive records. She became the first girls high jumper to turn pro while still in high school, signing with Nike in March of 2016 as an 18-year-old. More teenagers have gone the professional route in the years since, including the notable likes of Briana Williams and Tamari Davis.
Since turning pro, Cunningham has accrued numerous feats, including the high jump gold at the 2016 World Indoor Championships and two trips to the Olympic Games representing the U.S.