Former Christiansburg track star held in jail on rape charge

Christopher Dobbins of Christiansburg was accused following a Sunday incident.

Christopher Dobbins

Melissa Powell | 381-8621

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

A former Christiansburg High School and Radford University track and field champion has been charged with rape in relation to an incident that occurred early Sunday morning in the Victory Heights area of Christiansburg.

Christopher McKinsley Dobbins II, 21, of Christiansburg, was being held Tuesday at the Western Virginia Regional Jail.

According to online records, Dobbins was arrested Monday.

The police investigation at this point includes evidence that Dobbins and the victim knew each other.

According to his profile on Radford University’s athletics web site, Dobbins was a freshman at the university in 2010 and 2011. Brian Cox, a spokesman for university athletics, said Tuesday that Dobbins is no longer a student at the university. He declined to comment further.

Dobbins’ Radford University profile states that, in high school, he was a national qualifier in the 60-meter hurdles, a two-time all-state performer in the hurdles, a district and regional champion in the long jump and 55-meter hurdles, a school record holder in the 110-meter hurdles and Male Athlete of the Year during his senior year at Christiansburg High.

The Roanoke Times reported in March 2011 that Dobbins was named men’s Big South Conference Freshman of the Year at Radford University.

Dobbins’ Facebook profile lists him as a student at New River Community College, but an admissions spokeswoman said Tuesday that Dobbins is not currently enrolled.

Several of Dobbins’ friends had written on his Facebook wall and mentioned him in their Facebook statuses on Tuesday.

Most voiced their shock and told Dobbins to remain optimistic. “Keep your head up,” several wrote.

Monday, August 12, 2013