Senior Christian Schaaf has been running for most of his life. He began running around the age of 12 when his mom, a former long-distance runner in high school, inspired him to start running.

“One of the first races I did, I did in honor of my aunt…who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did this one race every year on Thanksgiving, but she couldn’t do it that year because of the cancer,” Schaaf said. “My mom and I decided to run the race in her honor, and I feel like that’s when it really clicked that I wanted to start running.”
Schaaf’s favorite part about being on the cross-country team is the close-knit atmosphere of the team. He enjoys being able to connect with his teammates over their common passion of running.

After graduating, Schaaf plans to join a running club in his local community to continue being active and engaging with his passion of running. “One of my goals is [to] run the Boston Marathon so after college I might take some time off to give my body a rest and then begin training for that.”

Class Year: 2022
Major: Public Relations and Graphic Design
Hometown: Phoenixville, Pa.

High school: Phoenixville Area High School

Favorite Jays Nest item: Egg Jay on a bagel

Favorite movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite artist: Coldplay

Favorite sports team: Philadelphia Flyers

Favorite place to visit: Valley Forge Park

Favorite Etown memory: Movie nights in Ober sophomore year

Greatest Etown accomplishment: Being named an Emergent Scholar

Hardly anyone knows that… Christian is a twin

Christian started running when he was… 12