These Transfers Will Make Immediate Impacts For Teams In XC


Lauren Ping

Desert Vista (AZ) to Valley Christian (AZ)

- - -

The three-time Arizona Division I state cross country champion makes the move to Valley Christian for her senior year, a big move for one of the top returning cross country athletes in the nation this fall.

Ping joins the smaller, AIA Division III school alongside her mother, Megan -- her former coach at Desert Vista -- who will join the cross country coaching staff at Valley Christian. According to The Arizona Republic, Ping cited moving to a smaller high school community as a welcome change, but the move also come as a result of logistical challenges regarding Megan continuing in her role as coach at Desert Vista.

Nonetheless, Ping will certainly elevate Valley Christian's status on the team. Last year, the girls squad placed 12th at the Division IV State Cross Country Championships, but having one of the best athletes in the state as their top runner in 2022 will likely boost their team placement in Arizona.

Ping enters her senior season as the second-fastest returning girl with her 16:40.40 5K PR set at the Desert Twilight XC Festival this fall. She's also no stranger to elite cross country racing, placing 22nd at the Eastbay Cross Country Championships in 2021 and running at Team Cross Country Nationals in both eighth and ninth grade. Now repping a Valley Christian uniform, Ping will look to earn yet another state title and continue her success on the national front come postseason racing as a way to cap off her high school career before moving on to Oklahoma State in 2023.