BALTIMORE, Md. – Coppin State’s Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Alecia Shields-Gadson always knew Christina Epps would be preparing for a trip to Rio to compete in the 2016 Olympics.
“The first thing I remember is her saying to me two days before the (triple jump) competition (at last month’s United States Olympic team trials in Oregon) that you’re going to jump 14.17 (meters),” Epps said. “I just have a feeling that you’re going to jump a 14.17. When I saw the mark come up on the board, I was like ‘man how did she know that I was going to jump 14.17?’ I guess it was in her spirit and on her mind. The second thing she said to me was ‘I knew you were going to be here. This is not a surprise to me.’ She always saw my potential and that what makes me appreciate her so much. She’s done so much for me despite everything else that she has to do.”
Epps rewarded Shields-Gadson’s faith by turning in the performance of her life. Epps was second in the competition with a career-best mark of 14.17 meters (46-6). It was another improbable moment in an impossible brilliant career for the gloriously gifted Epps.
Epps, a 2014 Coppin State graduate, and Shields-Gadson have an extraordinary bond.
It’s one that goes deeper than mentor-mentee, coach-athlete and mother-daughter. It’s a combination of all three and each element along with the grueling and intense early-morning and late-night training sessions that are the reasons why Epps is representing Team USA in the triple jump. She’s making the most of the experience she earned through lots of blood, sweat and tears by posting selfies and adding to her snapchat stories.
“I am on Cloud Nine,” Epps said of qualifying for the Olympics. “It’s unbelievable and it’s a feeling I can’t explain. I am super excited and happy. Coach Shields’ continued belief in my potential and my excellence as an athlete has continually pushed me to move forward despite the odds. She’s always been there for me and she continuously pushes me.”
Shields-Gadson recognized greatness and something special in Epps long before she reached the pinnacle of her career as Coppin State’s first female Olympic athlete in school history. Before traveling all across the world together, Shields-Gadson’s high-pitched voice with a southern drawl was the early morning soundtrack for Epps. There were times when Epps wanted to stop in the middle of a workout. Shields-Gadson didn’t allow it.
While Shields-Gadson fussed and motivated Epps during practices and meets, the priceless moments occurred behind closed doors. It was during those sessions that Epps absorbed like a sponge the inspirational nuggets, coaching wisdom, personal guidance and more from Shields-Gadson. They also shared plenty of laughs, tears, hugs and smiles.
“Christina has become like one of my own children,” Shields-Gadson said. “I value our one-on-one life sessions more than our training sessions. Over the years I've pushed her to be more outspoken and assertive and at times she uses that against me.”
They have a unique relationship that blossomed as Epps became more serious about being an elite triple jumper. The dedication was displayed as they managed training at early hours, going to work, changing back into practice clothes and continue training all while finding time to dedicate to significant others.
“Because of my strong personality and me questioning of how I want to do things, she balances me so well,” Epps said. “Because she’s so strong willed, she can get me to do what she wants to do. I don’t think many coaches can coach me because I have a lot of different dynamics that happen with me. She’s learned those dynamics. She knows when to push me and when to say ‘OK, you had enough and you’ll get back up again. She doesn’t always baby me.”
Epps’ journey to Rio wasn’t easy.
By now, everybody knows Epps tore her anterior cruciate ligament as a junior. She recovered from that temporary setback to enjoy a decorated senior season capped by winning the indoor and outdoor Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) triple jump championship, earning All-America honors and finishing seventh in the national championship meet.
That’s when things changed for Epps, who had been used to success at that point. The turning point on her road to Rio occurred during the 2014 USATF Outdoor Championships. Epps didn’t perform up to her standards and was disappointed with her results. Instead of sulking or feeling sorry for herself, Epps immediately got back to work.
“That downfall prepared me to work harder,” Epps said. “In that moment, the season was going well for me. I needed a learning experience in that moment to remind me that everything isn’t always going to happen the way you want it to. I didn’t want to hear that in the moment. I was frustrated. I realized it wasn’t my time yet and God had another plan for me. It kept me hungry and I wasn’t just satisfied with being an All-American.”
Of course, through the frustration, Shields-Gadson was there to make sure Epps wouldn’t feel sorry for herself.
“She wanted it for me, but she was like we have to get right back to work,” Epps said. “We have goals for you to achieve and you need to be confident in yourself. She told me, ‘you had a bad day and sometimes that happens.’ She rebuilt my confidence and motivation to be hungry for something greater the next year. It means everything to me to have her there.”
An exploding bundle of fury, Epps hasn’t stopped soaring since.
One year later, a confident and consistent Epps won the triple jump at the USTFA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. She finished seventh in the triple jump at the Pan-Am Games and competed in the IAAF World Championships in China.
“She's getting more confident with every major competition,” Shields-Gadson said. “The same ladies that she used to watch on video, she's now competing with them. Once her confidence is high, the sky's the limit. Her perseverance is incredible. We had a ‘come-to-Jesus’ moment after she tore her ACL and she had to promise me that if I was going to sacrifice my time and energy, she would have to put in the work. And she has! After last year's USA nationals I knew she was a contender.”
With each meet, Epps has gotten stronger and better.
“My coach pushed me to the next level by being my sport psychologist and getting me to believe in myself like she believed in me,” Epps said in 2015 after winning the USTFA national championship. “She has been nothing but a huge blessing. She is a huge part of my success and I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. She's the coach of the year in my book.”
NOTES: Epps is one of 554 athletes, including a record-number of 292 women, representing Team USA … The 292 women competing marks the most who have competed for any nation at a single Games, topping the previous mark of 289 (China, 2008) … For only the second time in history, the U.S. Olympic roster features more female athletes than male … Epps is one of 365 Team USA athletes who are making their Olympic debut … Epps competes Saturday, August 13 at 8:30 a.m. in the triple jump.