The potential to write his own story

Christian Jackson, a senior at Virginia Tech, is making his mark, breaking down barriers and records as a dual-sport athlete in both cross country and track and field since 2021. One call from previous head cross country and distance coach, Eric Johannigmeier, made Blacksburg home for Jackson. For him, the decision was easy and he was namely excited about the indoor track facility that would be his home away from home for his collegiate career. 

Jackson has been a collegiate distance runner for the last four years. He took time to reflect on his legacy after an unfortunate career-halting stack of injuries after his freshman indoor track season including a torn hip labrum and three separate stress fractures from April 2022 – March 2024. 

“The idea of if I were to stop right then and there, that would be my story. I did not want that to be what I am known for, even what I remember myself as,” Jackson recalled.  “I had that fuel of wanting to write a better story for myself. I wanted to see what I could do with my potential.” 

Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, with his persevering mindset, Jackson continued his story.  

This past season alone, Jackson medaled the 800m race at both the ACC Indoor and Outdoor championship meets, collecting the bronze during indoors and the gold at outdoors. Notably, at the ACC Outdoor Championship he broke three records in the men’s 800m race including the ACC Championship meet record, Virginia Tech program record and Kentner Stadium facility record. His performance also placed him No. 20 on the NCAA all-time list in the 800m. 

Jackson reflected on those post record-breaking feelings coming off of his injuries. Surprisingly, breaking three records in one race was not his main goal.  

“I remember going into that race looking at the record thinking ‘Dang that is quick,’” Jackson said. “I was confident I could run that fast. ‘If I give it all I have and win, the time will come’ has been my mindset all season. Seeing that record was a good feeling, the cherry on top,” he stated with a huge smile on his face.  

With a successful beginning to the season, was Jackson ready to keep the momentum going on the national stage at NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships? 

“I am looking forward to being on that stage and putting on a show,” Jackson expressed.  

Unsurprisingly, he did just that. Jackson grabbed first place in his 800m heat and earned an automatic spot at finals. He finished seventh overall in both the semifinals and in the country. Jackson received his first career individual event All-American honors in his race. 

In moments like these big wins after his career pause, he turns to his mother for a voice of reason and his inspiration to strive for more. Jackson mentioned in a recent interview he has had personal struggles with not feeling well-respected on the track. His mother, who is not afraid to tell him what he does not want to hear, responded that he can’t demand respect and that he must earn it. Big names in the world of sports do not demand respect, they earn it from their achievements. Jackson explained that she always keeps his head on straight and keeps him thinking the right way.  

Coming back from his injuries and having voices of doubt creeping in, the distance segment of track was an even more mentally taxing challenge preparing for the race. How does Jackson get in the right mindset before taking his place at the starting line? 

“I try not to have too many doubts because I don’t see how that benefits me,” he said. “It is just negative thoughts with no positive outcome, so I try to think positively and reassure myself a lot. If I ever get a little too nervous before the race, I just run the race in my head, maybe 20 times before I actually run it. By then, I have a mindset of ‘I can do this.’” 

What keeps him going in that final push at the finish line? 

Jackson responded laughing, “Honestly not getting caught embarrassed, I think to myself ‘I have to go!’” 

Jackson explained that in his comeback, head coach Ben Thomas has been a huge inspiration both in recovery and performance.  

“When Ben Thomas first came here, he did not show any doubt towards me, especially coming off my injury,” Jackson responded. “He told me ‘I am going to need you for this [team] and you are going to have to step up and get it done.’ Seeing that a coach believes in you from the beginning is a really good feeling. It makes you want to work hard. It makes you want to step up to the challenge and go above and beyond [the expectations].” 

Jackson did not forget to praise his teammates for their support as well, recalling their endless positive energy, holding each other accountable, and pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves.  

Studying sports media and analytics, Jackson embraces what he learns in the classroom to make the most of his athletic career on and off the track.  

“In track, you have to be marketable,” he stated. “[Studying] sports media, I know even if I run fast, I want to be a professional athlete and be successful in this career, so I have to [learn how to] be marketable [to others].”  

When asked more about the change of personal expectations from before injury to after, he said it was all about his shift of mentality from an external focus to more internal.  

“Before injury, my expectations were not in the right place, from the heart,” Jackson elaborated. “I wanted to prove myself to others. I felt a lot of pressure to do that which I believe led to my injuries because my head was all over the place. Finally coming out of my injuries, I was able to mainly focus on myself and listen to my body. I felt no pressure then because I had been out and I felt I had a fresh start with essentially no one knowing who I am.” 

With two years of eligibility left, Jackson is far from done. He has big plans for his legacy in Blacksburg and what the track and field program can mean to Hokie Nation. 

“Virginia Tech is known as a football school, but I feel there is potential for this to be a running community more than we think. It would be cool to make our program be more nationally recognized.”