Christina Epps named MEAC Woman of the Year

BALTIMORE (July 31, 2014) – Coppin State University’s Christina Epps (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) was named the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year, the conference announced today.  Epps will be honored during a special on-campus event to be announced at a later time.

The award, selected annually by the MEAC Senior Woman Administrators, 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 to be named MEAC Woman of the Year.   

“I am extremely blessed and honored to represent Coppin State,” Epps said. “Being named the MEAC Woman of the Year 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.”

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. Senior 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.”

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). 

Epps will represent the MEAC as its nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.  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.

Maryland Eastern Shore senior bowler Mega Buja was the 2014 MEAC Woman of the Year runner-up.

“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.”

MEAC Woman of the Year Honorees
2006       Renecia Lovelace, North Carolina A&T (Softball)
2007       Courtney Smiley, Howard (Basketball)
2008       Jessica Worsley, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)
2009       Loreal Smith, North Carolina A&T (Track and Field)
2010       Kalyn Washburn, Delaware State (Bowling)
2011       Kristina Frahm, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)
2012       Jazmyne Hefflefinger, Delaware State  (Bowling)

2013       T’nia Falbo, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)

2014       Christina Epps, Coppin State (Track and Field)