14.
Athlete: Lauren Ping
Year: 8th Grade, Class of 2023
School: Winona Cotter (MN)
Analysis: While she's the lone eighth-grader on the MileSplit50 top 25, Ping certainly deserves the recognition after the season she had in 2017. Following in the footsteps of her sister, Grace, Lauren rocked out at NXN, finishing 11th overall to earn an All-American finish in 17:58.90.
When the season got down to the wire, Ping only got better. Her final two races were both under 18 minutes, including a career best 17:07.72 at NXR Heartland, a race where she she finished fourth overall. She was second at the Class A Championships in Minnesota, second at the Section Championships and fifth at Roy Griak.
While she largely raced just behind her older sister in 2017, Ping stepped up when it mattered and looks to be even better in 2018.
| MILESPLIT50 RANKINGS TABLE | |
|---|---|
| Aug. 14 -- Amaris Tyynismaa | |
| Aug. 14 -- Jenna Fitzsimmons | |
| Aug. 14 -- Taylor Ewert | |
| Aug. 14 -- Sasha Neglia | |
| Aug. 14 -- Victoria Starcher | |
| Aug. 15 -- Grace Ping | |
| Aug. 16 -- Emma Wilson | |
| Aug. 17 -- Corie Smith | |
| Aug. 18 -- Adelyn Ackley | |
| Aug. 19 -- Anna Fenske | |
| Aug. 20 -- Tori Gaitan | |
| Aug. 21 -- Lauren Ping | |
| Aug. 22 -- Lexy Halladay | |
| Aug. 23 -- Tierney Wolfgram | |
| Aug. 24 -- Claire Walters | |
| Aug. 25 -- Ericka Vanderlende | |
| Aug. 26 -- Marlee Starliper | |
| Aug. 27 -- Sydney Thorvaldson | |
| Aug. 28 -- Brooke Rauber | |
| Aug. 29 -- London Culbreath | |
| Aug. 30 | 5 |
| Aug. 30 | 4 |
| Aug. 30 | 3 |
| Aug. 30 | 2 |
| Aug. 30 | 1 |
| Aug. 31 | Final Rankings |