Christopher Eskesen is a graduating senior from Tupelo High School who specializes in distance events, specifically the 3200m. In Eskesen's senior year, he ran lifetime PR's of 4:42 and 9:55 in the 1600m, as well as 16:45 in the 5k during the cross country season. Eskesen also won the stacked North Half 6A Meet, beating distance running talents such as teammates JT Posey and Taylor Brown, as well as Madison Central's Ben Owens. In that historical race, 1st and 4th place were separated by a mere 1.4 seconds. This performance also qualified him to be in the 6A State Meet, where he went on to finish 8th.
Eskesen has decided to take his distance running talents to Blue Mountain College in the Fall, where he will run cross country, as well as the 1500m and 5000m during track season, and will most likely make an immediate impact. Blue Mountain is an NAIA program located in New Albany, MS. Other successful Mississippi alumni that have run there include MHSAA 5A State Champion Ken Gassaway from Saltillo and NAIA Cross Country Nationals Qualifier Will Crigger from Corinth. Blue Mountain just finished last year's cross country season with a 3rd place finish at the SSAC championships.
Once at Blue Mountain, Eskesen is planning on majoring in Psychology, one of the most popular majors at the school, and one of the best Mississippi schools for psychology according to niche.com. According to bmc.edu, "The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology will stimulate intellectual and critical thinking as it provides opportunities for service, integration with other fields of study and the Christian faith, and a deep understanding of the development of relationships in a pluralistic society."
Below, you can see a little bit on how Christopher got to where he is today, and some advice he would like to give to young and up-and-coming athletes!
Explain your 'running journey'... (How did you get into running, how did your senior season go, and how did you get connected with the college that you are going to?)
My running journey started my seventh-grade year. I just wanted to do a sport and heard on the announcements about the cross country so I decided why not try it. My senior year of XC didn't go as I wanted bc I really wanted to run state but unfortunately, due to me getting quarantined I didn't get to run it. I used that as motivation for my track season where I ran a 9:54 2mile and a 2:02 800. Well it took the visit for me to get really connected with BMC the coaches there are really nice and motivate the runners so I thought this is where I can go to get better and to hopefully be able to go to Ole Miss in the coming years
What is your most memorable meet/race and why?
My most memorable race would have to be the New Albany invitational. This is where I broke 10 in the 2mile for the first time and that so meant so much to me because it shows that if you put in the work you can achieve anything.
Out of all your high school achievements, which one means the most to you and why?
Would have to be going sub 10
If you could go back and do it all over again, what would you change, if anything?
I wouldn't change a thing
Who is somebody that you look up to / someone that helped you along your journey to get you where you are today?
It would definitely be my Mom because she motivated me in everything I do and always believed in me even when I didn't sometimes
What will you miss the most?
My teammates and coaches
What piece of advice would you give to the younger athletes that are just getting started on their journey?
If you put in the miles and go out every day and grind you will be great. Don't let anyone tell you can't because you can. Running is hard and it is supposed to be but if you can push beyond those barriers it can be something great
Eskesen leading the 1600m at the Tupelo Invitational
