Dax Cunningham is returning for his second chance at greatness when he competes Saturday in the AAU Junior Olympics Games in Humble, Texas.
Cunningham, who is the son of Iola native Alisha Cunningham and her husband, Dorian, and is the grandson of Jeanne Cloud.
The 8-year-old credited his dad and coach Ben Poetz for learning how to high jump. He honed his skills with coaches Brandon Cooper and Jamie Rojas at the Austin Pole Vault and Throws, an indoor training facility.
Cunningham made it to nationals after qualifying for the triathlon and the high jump in the 8U division.
He finished in the top 40 in the triathlon with a personal record in the 400 meters earlier this week. Cunningham now shifts all his focus to the high jump.
He qualified for nationals in the high jump after clearing a personal best of 3 feet, 5.25 inches. Alisha Cunningham said watching her son compete has inspired the family to take up running and considers them a true track family.
“We believe all of life’s lessons can be learned out on the track and this is part of our journey,” Cunningham said.
