Christine Eckstein joined the Eastern Oregon University Cross Country and Track & Field programs ahead of the 2025 season as an Assistant Coach, bringing with her over a decade of coaching experience across multiple levels, from high school to NCAA Division I. A former collegiate distance runner herself, Eckstein has a strong background in athlete development and team success, having coached numerous all-conference athletes, individual champions, and NCAA All-Americans throughout her career.
Before arriving at EOU, Eckstein served as the Head Cross Country Coach at Pacific University during the 2024 season. In her time there, she coached Megan Feitz to an All-Conference finish and helped Peyton Fisher earn Freshman of the Year honors at the Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships.
From 2023 to 2024, Eckstein was part of a historic coaching staff at Oregon State University. During her time with the Beavers, the women’s cross country team achieved the highest NCAA ranking in school history (No. 9), placed sixth at the Pac-12 Championships, and finished ninth at the NCAA West Regional. She played a key role in the development of standout athletes Kaylee Mitchell and Grace Fetherstonhaugh, who earned All-Pac-12 and All-Region honors. Mitchell went on to become an All-American in both cross country and the indoor 3000m.
Eckstein also brings experience from several high school and community college programs across the Pacific Northwest. While coaching at Crook County High School in 2022–2023, she helped lead both the boys’ and girls’ teams to district titles and a fifth-place finish at the OSAA State Championships. Multiple athletes under her guidance earned top finishes at both district and state levels, including an individual district champion in the 800m.
Her earlier coaching career includes stops at Clark College, Mt. Hood Community College, Treasure Valley Community College, and St. Martin’s University. Notable coaching highlights include helping Shannon Porter to an NCAA DII All-American finish in cross country at St. Martin’s and coaching NWAC championship placers at both Mt. Hood and Clark.
Eckstein began her coaching journey at Elgin High School and later served as Co-Head Track & Field Coach and Head Cross Country Coach from 2015–2016. She also competed collegiately in cross country and track and field at Clark College, the Community Colleges of Spokane, and with the Mountaineers.
A native of Bend, Oregon, Eckstein earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from EOU in 2011.
