Malone surpasses 2010 mark by Winger with 219-3 (66.82m) performance, Cunningham clears 6-7.50 (2.02m) for first time to elevate to No. 4 in U.S. history; Nigeria’s Brume sets African women’s long jump record to edge Reese and Malone, with Winkler remaining unbeaten this year in men’s hammer

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Photos by Chuck Utash

Even with Kara Winger returning from a knee injury this spring in an attempt to make a fourth Olympic team, there might be a changing of the guard when it comes to the women’s javelin in the United States, and Maggie Malone showcased that again Saturday at the Chula Vista Field Festival as part of the USATF Journey to Gold Series.

When it comes to the women’s high jump, Vashti Cunningham only created more of a gap between herself and American peers with a lifetime-best performance at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California.

Malone produced a third-round throw of 219 feet, 3 inches (66.82m) to eclipse the 2010 national record of 218-8 (66.67m) achieved by Winger at the U.S. Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

RESULTS | PHOTOS | WEBCAST REPLAY

Malone, who had a second-round throw of 208-1 (63.42m) that would have also won the competition, improved to No. 3 in the world this year and elevated to the No. 28 all-time competitor, with Winger at No. 30.

Canadian Liz Gleadle placed second with a fourth-round effort of 207-9 (63.33m), ascending to No. 13 in the world this year. Ariana Ince, a former U.S. champion, took third with an opening-round throw of 197-8 (60.26m).

Cunningham improved her world lead with a first-attempt clearance at 6-7.50 (2.02m), elevating to the No. 4 competitor in U.S. history with the best jump by an American since 2013.

After close friend and training partner Jelena Rowe had three misses at 6-6.25 (1.99m), Cunningham skipped from 6-4 (1.93m) all the way to 6-7.50.

Following 19 combined misses in her career at any height 6-7 or above, Cunningham made good on her 20th opportunity, before concluding her competition.

Malone wasn’t the only athlete to achieve a national record Saturday, as Ese Brume not only surpassed the Nigerian all-time best in the women’s long jump, but produced the African continental record as well with a wind-legal 23-6.25 (7.17m) performance in the sixth round that took over the world lead.

Six athletes surpassed the 22-foot barrier, with half of them soaring past 23 feet, as Brume eclipsed the 1996 standard of 23-4.50 (7.12m) achieved by Chioma Ajunwa to secure the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta.

American Brittney Reese equaled the No. 3 all-conditions mark this year with a wind-aided effort of 23-3.50 (7.10m) in the sixth round. Chantel Malone of British Virgin Islands, who achieved a wind-aided performance April 24 at Chula Vista with a leap of 23-3.50, took third Saturday with a wind-legal leap of 23-2.50 (7.07m) in the final round.

Rudy Winkler – surpassed as the world leader in the men’s hammer throw Sunday by Pawel Fajdek at 272-3 (82.98m) competing in his home country of Poland – continued his success against fellow Americans with a first-round effort of 258-5 (78.78m) to win his fifth competition this year.

Alexander Young placed second with a fourth-round throw of 256-11 (78.30m), ascending to No. 9 in the world this year, giving the U.S. four of the top 10 performers globally this season.

Sean Donnelly, fourth in the world this year at 260-1 (79.27m), finished third Saturday at 252-7 (76.98m).

Donald Scott produced the No. 4 all-conditions effort this year in the triple jump with a wind-aided 56-6 (17.22m) in the fourth round. Scott added a wind-legal 55-6.50 (16.93m) in the sixth round that would have also won the competition.

Chris Carter secured second with a wind-legal 55-2.75 (16.83m) performance in the fifth round.

Jeff Henderson improved to the No. 4 wind-legal athlete in the world this season in the men’s long jump with a first-round leap of 27-6.50 (8.39m). Marquis Dendy and Corey Crawford both had marks of 27-2.50 (8.29m), with Dendy earning the runner-up spot based on a better second jump.

Jamaica’s Sabina Allen prevailed in the women’s triple jump with a personal-best performance of 46-7.25 (14.20m) in the sixth round, matching the No. 14 competitor in the world this year.

Americans Imani Oliver and Tori Franklin finished second and third. Oliver achieved a mark of 45-3.75 (13.81m), with Franklin jumping 45-3 (13.79m).

Michael Shuey triumphed in the men’s javelin, rallying from fourth place with a throw of 263-6 (80.32m) on his final attempt, just off his season-best 265-9 (81.01m) from March that has him ranked among the top 25 competitors in the world.

Riley Dolezal led entering the last round at 253-3 (77.20m), but was surpassed by Shuey. Curtis Thompson, the U.S. leader this season at 267-2 (81.44m), took third Saturday at 249-1 (75.93m).

Nigeria’s Chioma Onyekwere won the women’s discus with a third-round throw of 202-7 (61.75m) and American Micaela Hazelwood secured second with a personal-best 198-7 (60.52m) in the final round.

South Korea’s Woo Sangheok cleared 7-5 (2.26m) on his second attempt in the men’s high jump, before missing three opportunities at 7-7 (2.31m).

Americans Erik Kynard, Jr., and Tyler Arroyo both had clearances of 7-2.50 (2.20m).