BALTIMORE – Coppin State University track and field standout Christina Epps has advanced to the round of 30 in the 2014 NCAA Woman-of-the-Year selection process.
Epps is one of 10 women from across NCAA Division I that’s still in the running for the prestigious award. Overall, the top 30 women, selected from a group of 446 nominees, are composed of 10 honorees from each of the three NCAA divisions and span various NCAA sports. Link to NCAA Infographic: http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/woty-award.jpg
In late September, three finalists from each division will be selected to form the nine finalists for the award. Epps, along with the other women will attend the annual ceremony on Oct. 19 in Indianapolis, home of the NCAA headquarters, where the 2014 Woman of the Year will be announced.
The award celebrates the achievements of senior female student-athletes who have excelled in academic, athletics, service and leadership.
Epps is the first Coppin State University female student-athlete and one of two MEAC women to be among the top 30 this year along with UMES bowler Megan Buja.
“I am extremely blessed and honored to represent Coppin State,” Epps said. “Being named the MEAC Woman of the Year and advancing into the top 30 is very humbling. I always look back and realize how truly blessed I am. God has given me the talent. I am really proud of myself, but I know there’s more that I want to accomplish. This is all God. I acknowledge God in everything that I do and basically there are no limitations how far you can go in life, if you put God first. That’s how I live my life.”
The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year award: outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. Cumulatively, the top 30 earned a 3.85 grade-point average and more than 90 Academic All-America honors. The top 30 earned nearly 27 national championships (individual and team) and 38 All-America honors in their respective sports.
They also spent more than 24,000 hours volunteering during their college careers. Many served as team captains and held leadership positions in various campus and community organizations.
Epps, the first Coppin State University female student-athlete to be named MEAC Woman of the Year, has enjoyed a memorable career.
Epps was a four-time All-MEAC student-athlete in track and field and is 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.
“This is a tremendous honor that has capped off a great collegiate career,” Coppin State Deputy Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator and head women’s track and field coach Alecia Shields-Gadson said. “She has been the epitome of student and athlete. She has made Coppin State and the MEAC proud. As she moves on to her post collegiate career, look for more accolades to come. She is an excellent role model and will most certainly continue to make a positive impact on the world.”
Epps graduated in 2014 with a 3.30 grade point average in Psychology. She amassed many academic accomplishments before departing CSU including the Dean’s List four straight years, induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society and the Psi Chi International Honor Society. She was also selected as a USTFCCCA Academic All-American in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and selected to the MEAC Commissioner’s Academic Team for four straight years.
“The MEAC family congratulates Coppin State’s Christina Epps for receiving the honor of Woman of the Year,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. “Throughout her collegiate career Miss Epps has exemplified academic and athletic excellence and has displayed an impressive resume of service and leadership for Coppin State and the MEAC. Further her commitment to her community should be applauded and valued. We salute Miss Epps and support her efforts of representing the MEAC in the NCAA Woman of the Year process.”
Off the track, Epps volunteered with Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle School, Bare Your Chest for Breast Cancer, Chris Canty Foundation, Hash Tag Lunchbag, Samuel Ogle Middle School, Druid Hill Parks and Recreation just last year. She has also contributed her time to the Special Olympics Association Track Meet (2010-11) and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Elementary Middle School Annual 5k Fun Run and Walk (2010).
The NCAA established the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 24th year, the award is unique because it recognizes not only the athletic achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service and leadership.
“These women are perfect examples of NCAA student-athletes succeeding on the field, in the classroom and in life,” said Gloria Nevarez, NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee chair and senior associate commissioner for the Pac-12 Conference. “We are impressed by their outstanding achievements, and no matter the paths they take after college, we are confident that they will continue to lead their peers for many years to come.”
The other eight Division I women in the running for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award are Marisa Bast (Northwestern, softball), Kelly Comolli (Georgetown, basketball & tennis), Abbey D’Agostino (Dartmouth, cross-country & track), Christina Dorismond (Furman, volleyball), Alyssa Hasslen (Arizona, indoor track and field), Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford, basketball), Chelsea Oswald (Kentucky, cross country & track) and Elizabeth Tucker (Notre Dame, soccer).
“There are many people who are responsible for helping me achieve this honor,” Epps said. “I want to thank God, my mom, and my brother for introducing to track. My high school coaches who were really patient with me and of course coach Shields. She helped me grow as a woman and made me a better track and field athlete. In addition, I am appreciative of all of the support from my friends and teammates who have always been there for me.”