‘We’re on our way!’ Parents of Morristown Olympian heading to Rio, with community’s help

By Kevin Coughlin

When Morristown High School grad Christina Epps competes in the Olympics this weekend, her mom and stepdad will be in Rio to cheer her on.

And so will many Morristowners. In spirit, anyway.

Their donations to an online campaign helped send Beverly Epps-Blackwell and Kevin Blackwell to the Games.

“We’re on our way!” Beverly exclaimed by phone on Thursday, in Baltimore en route to the airport for the second leg of their journey from Morristown.

Some 170 people, including former MHS classmates of Christina (’09), contributed nearly $9,300 to defray expenses for her parents, who have health problems and modest means. Donations ranged from $5 to $100.

Christina is scheduled to compete in the qualifying round of the triple jump at 8:40 am on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. The finals are set for 7:55 pm on Sunday, Aug. 14.

Video interview with Olympian Christina Epps

Christina’s parents will be accompanied by her fiancé, a basketball player at Coppin State University, the Baltimore school where Christina starred in track and field and volleyball.

Beverly said she spoke to her daughter a few days ago, before the team headed to Brazil.

“She was very high, very excited to be where she is, very thankful and grateful for the opportunity,”  said the mom. She echoed those sentiments.

“I just want to say thank you so very much to Morristown, to everyone I know and everyone I don’t know, and to those at Coppin State University, who donated to help my family,” said Beverly, who is active with her husband at Morristown’s Church of God in Christ.

“It makes a big, big difference,” she said of the contributions.

Family friend Penny Lopez, who started the campaign, was pleased with the outcome.

The July scheduling of the Olympic trials–where Christina made the U.S. team with a dramatic final jump— did not leave much time for fund-raising.

“It’s amazing to know that perfect strangers supported Christina out of a sense of community and Morristown pride,” said Lopez, who has received moral support from the community in her own battle with breast cancer.

Matt Carmel will be cheering in front of his TV this weekend.  He coached Christina at MHS.

“She worked harder than anyone else. She just wouldn’t quit,” said Carmel, who recounted trying unsuccessfully to talk Christina out of a training run in a pounding rainstorm.

The coach knows Christina will give it her all in Rio.

“She just hated to lose,” Carmel said. “Even if it was rock, paper, scissors” on the team bus.