3-time state cross-country champion Lauren Ping transfers to Valley Christian for her senior year

For the past three years, Lauren Ping has been a star runner for Desert Vista High School's cross-country team.

In fact, an argument could be made that the three-time Arizona girls' individual champion has been one of the most dominant Arizona high school athletes in any sport — boys or girls.

But this season things will look a little different for Lauren, who already has committed to Oklahoma State after high school.

Lauren will be running for Valley Christian High School in Chandler during her senior season, while her mom and dad plan to volunteer coach at Valley Christian as much as they can.

“I am super excited to be on coach Jenny Brecht’s team,” Megan said. “It is just so refreshing talking to Jenny and how at Valley Christian, they have a completely different philosophy. Lauren is excited to have a fresh start at a smaller school.”

Lauren’s mom, Megan Ping, previously coached her at Desert Vista. During Megan’s first year coaching in 2020, the team won the girls state championship in Division I and the the girls team title in the national Nike Cross Virtual Championship. The team repeated as state champions in 2021 and finished second last season. She was named The Arizona Republic's cross-country coach of the year  after the 2020 season.

“I am really close with my mom and dad,” Lauren said. “They have helped me a lot in my running career and I love that they come and help out.”

During her first three years of high school, Lauren Ping finished as the girls D-1 state indivdiual champion each season. She also was named The Arizona Republic's girls cross-country runner of the year each of those year's. She started her high school career running at Desert Vista with her older sister, Grace.

Deciding to transfer

Megan and Lauren cited a few reasons for the transfer to Valley Christian.

Megan said she left Desert Vista after the school's athletic director, David Klecka, required a greater time commitment to the position over the summer than she was able to meet, due in part to family obligations and a summer running camp she had organized. Megan said Klecka posted her job, so she moved on.

Klecka did not respond to inquiries from The  Arizona Republic.

Lauren, for her part, said she welcomed the idea of a smaller school community for her senior year. Desert Vista's enrollment is more than 3,000 students. Valley Christian's is less than 1,000. Desert Vista competes in Division I cross country, among the state's largest schools, while Valley Christian competes in Division III.

This season Valley Christian's girls cross-country team has eight runners in addition to Lauren. They are relatively new to cross-country, so Lauren is making it her mission to mentor them.

“I have been running for a long time so I think giving them advice and helping them will be key. Valley has such a good coach, the guys and girls on their team are super nice, so I think that helps with staying motivated.”

Not surprisinigly, Brecht is excited to add Lauren to the roster and Valley Christian community.

“I want each athlete to reach his or her full potential, while also growing in character through their participation in this sport,” Brecht said. “The Pings have expressed to me that they are looking forward to having their children be part of a Christ-centered school community.”

This season Lauren hopes to tally her fourth straight state individual title and wants to set the state course record. However, her biggest goal is to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon.

“When she finds what she wants to work hard at, she is unstoppable,” Megan said.

The invitational serves as the unofficial team national championship for the U.S. high school cross country.

“Nike Cross Nationals is back this year after they haven’t had it in two years and I hope to win it,” Lauren said.

The future: College, Olympic dream

Lauren was recruited by 20 colleges and universities. After multiple campus visits, she decided to accept an offer from Oklahoma State. Her sister Grace runs for Oklahoma State, but that was just one factor in her decision.

“My sister runs at Oklahoma State right now but I also felt a good connection with the coaches and the girls on the team,” Lauren said. “I ultimately felt like the coaches at Oklahoma State would help me become the best athlete that I can be, help me accomplish every goal I have for myself and encourage what I want.”

While at Oklahoma State, Lauren will study business, focusing on finance.

Apart from cross country, Lauren also runs the mile, 2-mile and 800 meter during track season in spring.

“I run track as well, so ultimately the dream would be to run professionally and go to the Olympics,” Lauren said. “That is definitely  a goal of mine.”

She knows that means working harder, starting this fall.

"When I first started cross country, I did not really push myself during races,” Lauren said. “(But now) I keep in mind all my goals, meets I want to compete in and personal records I want to beat. I am just excited to see what I can do in my last year as a high schooler (and) I will cherish every moment of my senior year.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lauren Ping transfers to Valley Christian for her senior year