Bishop Gorman alum qualifies for third Olympics in high jump

Vashti Cunningham loves Paris.

Now, she’ll get to compete there on the grandest of stages. With the world watching.

The Bishop Gorman alum qualified for her third Olympics in the high jump Monday at the U.S. track and field trials in Eugene, Ore.

Cunningham will next head to 2024 Games in Paris, which run from July 26 to August 11.

“I’m looking forward to my third Olympics,” Cunningham said recently. “I love jumping (in Paris). I’m just happy to be going to a place that is familiar to me. I’ve been to Paris multiple times, love the atmosphere and feel my energy is always great when I’m there.

“The pressure is a little bit on, but just staying focused is the main thing for me.”

Cunningham had to win a jump-off with Jenna Rogers from the University of Nebraska to secure a third-place finish at the trials Monday and the final spot on the U.S. team. Cunningham reached the Olympic standard by clearing 6 feet, 5½ inches earlier this year.

The 13-time U.S. champion was expected to have have an easy time qualifying in her event. She finished 13th her first Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, then improved to sixth in Tokyo in 2021.

Cunningham almost didn’t get a third opportunity Monday.

But she won the jump-off by clearing 6 feet, 3¾ inches after both she and Rogers missed at an inch higher. It was the highest mark Cunningham cleared in the competition, but four inches below her personal record.

Charity Hufnagel out of Kentucky, who finished 12th in the NCAAs just two weeks ago on the same track, was the surprise winner Monday. Rachel Glenn out of Arkansas was second.

“I think there are more nerves now than when I was younger,” Cunningham said following the qualifying round. “I don’t know how to explain it. There’s just a little bit more pressure. I’m telling myself to be as cool, calm and collected as when I was younger. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten wiser than when I was a kid and knew nothing.

“I just have to tell myself it’s just running and jumping. It’s the same thing as when you were a little girl.”

Contact Ed Graney at @egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.