This interview originally appeared in the FALL 2016 issue of The District.

In each issue we are pleased to connect with one of Morristown High School’s esteemed alumni.  We caught up recently with Christina Epps, MHS Class of ’09.

After graduating Morristown High School in 2009, Christina attended Coppin State University where she participated on the volleyball and track and field teams.  Both at Morristown High School and Coppin State, she earned many honors and recognitions for her achievements.   This past summer, Christina traveled to Rio, Brazil as a member of the 2016 USA Olympic Team.

MEF:  Tell us about your journey since high school:

CE:   When I graduated from high school in 2009, I was very persistent in hopes to play two sports in college and earn a scholarship.   I knew, at the time, since I was new to both sports, my statistics would not enable me to get a full scholarship.   Coppin State University did offer me scholarships from both teams and allowed me to play volleyball and run track allowing me to get my education for free, which is what I set out to do.  I graduated in Coppin State in 2013 with a degree in psychology, but I had a red shirt year because I tore my ACL in 2012.  As a result, I went to graduate school for a year and was able to compete my last collegiate season in 2014 for Coppin.   After the 2014 season, I trained with the goal to make it on the 2016 Olympic Team.  2015 was a really big growth year for me and it was the first year I could grow and develop and become better after my injury. It allowed me to take my talent to another level.  I not only made the finals for the USA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon that year, but I won… which was a great accomplishment.  In July I competed at the Olympic Trials for Track and Field.  In order to make the team you need to place in the Top 3 and hit the Olympic qualifying standard.  I was under a lot of pressure and the standard requirement had been haunting me that whole season.  In the end, it was very dramatic, and I made the team.   That feeling was amazing.  I had tears rolling down my face.  The feeling is indescribable and I’m hopeful I’ll be able to do it again in the future.   

MEF: What are you up to today?

CE:   As you all may already know I was in Rio this summer competing in the Olympics. But upon my return I began recovering from an injury and I have begun my training this past week as well in hopes of making the 2017 World Championship team who will compete in London this summer. Outside of training, I am also working as an Academic Advisor for Athletics at Coppin State University.  

MEF: What inspired you to your career?

CE:  It all started in high school when I noticed my ability to do well in the jumps.  I went back and forth a lot with what would be my main sport between volleyball and track. My coaches Gordon Drewery and Matt Carmel gave me great tools to set me up for success on the collegiate level.   My coach at Coppin, Alecia Shields Gadson, helped me hone my skills and while also learning about the true technique of the triple jump.   

MEF: Tell us about your experience at the Olympics?

CE: It was exhilarating and a completely amazing experience.  I did not expect all of the support I got from home, from phone calls and letter and cards.  My hometown even supported my family and I by setting up a Go Fund Me page to  help my parents raise money to come out to Rio and support me. I felt the energy going into Rio to make my hometown proud. I was so happy to be there. Despite the results, I hit my goal of making the Olympic Team and with experience from this Olympic Games I’m sure I’ll be better next time.  Morristown is an amazing place – we’ve always had such great camaraderie in the town and our school spirit is through the roof.  I love my hometown.

MEF: What are you most proud of?

CE: Overcoming adversity - after tearing my ACL, there were many times where I wanted to give up but I never did.  I pushed through those circumstances and I ended up where I am today.

MEF: What was your favorite memory of Morristown High School?

CE: Winning back-to-back track and field titles my junior and senior years is one of my favorite memories. We set school history and it was great to be a part of that team.

MEF: What of your success would you attribute to your experiences at the high school?

CE: I vividly remember and I will never forget when I was going to state championships and I placed third and didn’t do as well as I wanted.  I was so frustrated – I did not want to talk to reporters, I was not supportive of my team, I was immature.  Despite that, I did win the Most Valuable Player award that season for our team.  My coach, Matt Carmel, inscribed on my award this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. which I always hold with me.  “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  This quote motivates me as a true measurement of character. It is very defining for me.

MEF: What advice would you give a MHS student?

CE:  Don’t ever give up on your dreams despite the odds and what others say.   Keep pushing forward and lean on a strong support system. Continue to fight and work hard for what you want.

I would like the opportunity to say thank you to those in Morristown community who have supported me and helped my family.  Words can not express how happy and joyous they were to experience that moment with me in Rio. Your kindness Morristown has not gone unnoticed.