BALTIMORE, Md. – Surrounded by top student-athletes during the Woman of the Year ceremony in Indianapolis, Coppin State University track standout Christina Epps finally had confirmation that she was one of the elite.
It was something that those close to Epps always knew: That she was already a phenomenal woman. Inspired by Coppin State’s nurturing environment, dedicated coaches and a competitive drive like no other, Epps reached heights of brilliance on and off the track.
Epps closed an amazing chapter in her life when she was feted Sunday night as one of the 30 finalists for the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Epps, who was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year was honored last week by conference commissioner Dennis Thomas during Coppin State’s annual Fanny Jackson Coppin convocation.
“I didn’t realize the significance of the award until I got to Indianapolis,” Epps said. “All of those women who were there were truly amazing and I was honored to be part of that group. I had to sit back and think that I am considered in this caliber of women. It’s still shocking that I made the top 30. I had no idea that there were 250,000 women eligible to be Woman of the Year. I value the award even more after this weekend.”
Although Epps wasn’t the overall winner, the weekend and experience was a life-altering event for her. Notre Dame soccer player Elizabeth Tucker was named the 2014 Woman of the Year.
Epps, a triple-jumper, has her sights on qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. She is currently training harder than ever to make that a reality. However, that’s the future. Last weekend, was a final opportunity to be saluted for an awesome year on and off the track.
The highlight of the weekend for Epps was participating in a community service event in which they packed book bags with school supplies and interacted with young girls. This experience left a lasting impression on Epps, who was amazed that the young girls were aware of all of Epps’ accomplishments. The young girls were also awed by Epps.
“One girl was absolutely amazing and was like I hope you win,” Epps said. “It was encouraging. I showed her how to shoot a basketball. She admired my accolades because her and her program leaders had read up about me and complemented me. Hopefully, I impacted her in some little sort of way. I know that experience impacted me.”
Now in its 24th year, the Woman of the Year Award recognizes female student-athletes for outstanding academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.
Epps was an 12-time All-MEAC student-athlete in track and field and a six-time triple jump champion in the conference. She is the current Coppin State triple jump record holder. Her school standard is 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches), which was established by finishing third overall at the NCAA Division I East Regional Outdoor Preliminary Championships.
Epps was selected as the Coppin State Female Presidents' Eagle Award Winner, Female Athlete of the Year and MVP in track and field this past season. She served as team captain from 2012-2014 and was the SAAC President from 2013-2014.
She competed at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon and the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California last month. Epps earned indoor All-American honors after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships and she finished sixth at the U.S. National Championships.
“Going through this entire experience made me really more confident in myself,” Epps said. “I was blessed to achieve plenty. There were times where I thought that I don’t really think I am the best or one of the best. However, being in Indianapolis, made me realize that you are one of the best, doing great things and I can carry this on and hopefully lead other girls. To hear all of those accolades of those women and what that they had achieved, I was really humbled and extremely honored to be among them.”
Epps was also blessed to have a strong support system present at the event. Along with her mother, Beverly, attending on Epps’ behalf was Derrick K. Ramsey (Coppin State’s Director of Athletics), Alecia Shields-Gadson (Coppin State Deputy Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator and Head Women’s Track and Field Coach) and Luwanda Jenkins (Coppin State’s Chief of Staff to the President and Associate Vice President for Government Relations).
“I am grateful for all the support and it really helped me throughout the year,” Epps said. “It meant a lot having my mom with me. Having her there signified growth for my family. I know she was extremely proud of me and I was very happy to put a smile on her face. The entire week was heartwarming. This is an experience I’ll never forget. It’s something I will carry on for the rest of my life.”