In 1988, Randall Cunningham became the youngest quarterback since the merger to rush for at least 500 yards in three different seasons. In 2016, Cunningham's daughter one-upped him.
Vashti Cunningham, 18, became the youngest athlete since 1980 to make the United States track and field team for the Olympics by qualifying in the high jump on Monday. Per SBNation:
Cunningham cleared 1.97 meters in the finals on Monday, qualifying in second place behind (Chaunte) Lowe, who managed 2.01 meters to take the top spot. (Inika) McPherson was third at a height of 1.93 meters.
"I'm very appreciative, just to be able to go to the Olympics this year," Cunningham said, per USA Today. "So I'm more thankful than disappointed. It was a relief to qualify and just know that I was top three. At the same time, I still wanted to win. I always want to win."
Randall is Vashti's coach, and per USA Today, he noticed that his daughter "lost some juice" in her legs during qualifying, so he wants to ratchet up her training prior to the Olympics.
Meanwhile, both Lowe and McPherson will represent the United States in Rio de Janeiro as well. Lowe is a three-time Olympian and finished sixth in the high jump at the 2012 games in London, while McPherson did not qualify for London because she didn't clear the bar during trials while she was suffering from a torn quadriceps. (She competed in the trials against the advice of her doctor.)
