Christian Balcer Signs With Mississippi College

Christian Balcer, East Central at Watson High School Meet Choctaw Trails

On Wednesday morning, East Central's Christian Balcer made it official that he will be joining the Mississippi College Choctaws in the fall.

Balcer, who is the #1 ranked distance runner in the state of Mississippi this year, is one of the best distance runners in the South this year. He has remained undefeated through 7 races this year. These races include his 15:18 win at MC Watson, as well as his 15:15 win at the MHSAA 5A State Championships, a race he won by a full 1 minute and 12 seconds. 

In late April, Balcer made the most of his track fitness, as he soloed a 9:27 3200m, an 18 second PR. The Moss Point native also secured a respectable 4:25 1600m PR in the indoor season. 

To put it in perspective, his 3k (converted) and 5k marks would currently rank him #3 in both events among the Men's team at Mississippi College, a nationally ranked program in Division 2 this year. The program is run by Head Coach Mathew Reneker. 

"I chose Mississippi College was Coach Reneker's vision for the program and the hospitality of everyone on the team and everyone on campus"

The vision that Coach Reneker has for the future of the program is also something that Balcer believes in, as he personally thinks that both the men's and women's teams are headed in the right direction. He is ready to contribute to being part of a national-caliber program, taking both teams to nationals in the next couple of years.  

Christian adds even more depth coming off of last year's stacked Mississippi recruiting class when MC snagged state champion talents such as Brock Kelly, Jacob Britt, and Adam Gomez. 

"It feels awesome because we are guys from Mississippi representing a Mississippi University", commented Balcer on now being teammates with these guys. "It'll feel like I never left home."

He also said that he thinks the old friendly rivalries will turn into a great team atmosphere.  

When asked what he thought of his own season this year and the progression he has made, Balcer said that he thought that he capped off his senior season really well, and he's ready to show what he's made of in Huntsville next weekend. After running a 21 minute 5k at the 2016 State Meet, one can certainly say that Balcer has come a long way since then. 

When questioned on what event Balcer might run in college next year, he said he believed he could definitely hold his own in the 3k and 5k, but that he and Coach Reneker have also been talking up the idea of the 3k steeple. 

Lastly, Balcer advises all of the other future runners that will get go through the recruiting process this: "Remember that it is YOUR decision. Don't let people [talk you out of it] because you don't plan to attend the school they're rooting for. Go to the school that you will be the happiest going to."

Balcer boasts a 3.9 GPA, as well as an ACT score of 21. 

Up next for Balcer is the RXC Championships on November 21 held in Huntsville, AL, where he will test himself against some of the top distance runners in the nation.