The Five Future Girls Stars Of The 2019 Season: No. 1

Cory Mull


Arizona is about to get a powerhouse combo in Grace Ping and Lauren Ping. 

But for the purposes of this post, we're going to focus on Lauren, a two-time Nike Cross Nationals All-American. 

You read that right. 

It seems unfathomable that an incoming freshman would be so accomplished, but this is Lauren Ping we're talking about. She's got four national All-American finishes already, including an indoor and outdoor finish from 2019. 

She's the No. 1 Future Star this fall. 

The Ping's have been afforded very good coaching over the years, from their father, Ryan, to independent coach Tom Schwartz, otherwise known as "Tinman."

Now they're headed to Arizona in 2019 to join Desert Vista and the duo should make the squad immediately one of the best in the Southwest.

Lauren is headed for another breakout season following her eighth-grade year, where she broke 18 minutes three times -- in her last three races. 

She saved her best work for NXR Heartland (17:29.30) and NXN (17:29.50), where she placed 14th-overall. But Ping didn't stop there, finishing sixth overall in the 5K indoors at New Balance Nationals Indoor in 17:17.30. 

She followed in the spring with a time of 4:50.64 in the 1,600m and 10:23.28 in the 2-mile at New Balance Nationals Outdoor. 

If nothing else, Ping might be the most battle-tested freshman we've seen in a long time. Alongside her sister, Grace, Lauren should compete for a state championship in Arizona and a couple more national qualifiers -- though the Southwest will at least present a stiffer test than the Heartland. 

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Top Girls Returners In Minnesota (Now Arizona For The Ping's)

RANKTIMEATHLETE/TEAMGRADEMEET DATEPLACE
117:06.80
TIERNEY WOLFGRAM
Math & Science Academy
2021
Milaca Mega Meet1st
217:10.80
GRACE PING
Cotter Schools
2021
Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional2nd
317:29.30
LAUREN PING
Cotter Schools
2023
Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional3rd
417:31.10
ANNA FENSKE
Farmington High School
2021
Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional4th
517:39.10
EMMA ATKINSON
Wayzata High School
2020
Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional6th



Top Freshman Girls Incomers Nationally 

RANKTIMEATHLETE/TEAMGRADEMEET DATEPLACE
117:13.94
CARLY MCNATT
FL Holy Trinity Academy
2023
FHSAA 1A District 111st
217:29.30
LAUREN PING
MN Cotter Schools
2023
Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional3rd
317:48.62
LEAH FUTEY
NM Sue Cleveland High School
2023
Nike Cross Regionals - Southwest3rd
417:55.64
ALI BAINBRIDGE
SD Lennox High School
2023
Region 3A1st
518:05.00
STORRIE KULYNYCH- IRVIN
MD Annapolis Friends Meeting Home School Association
2023
MileStat.com XC Invitational


Top Track Times Nationally For An Eight-Grade Girl

ranktimeathlete/teamgrademeet/date/place
1600m4:50.64 
LAUREN PING
MN Cotter Schools
2023
Hamline Elite Meet1st
1 Mile4:58.47 
LAUREN PING
MN Cotter Schools
2023
New Balance Nationals Outdoor17th


ranktimeathlete/teamgrademeet/date/place
3200m10:32.04 
LAUREN PING
MN Cotter Schools
2023
MSHSL Section 1A T&F Finals1st


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Lauren Ping's 2018 Performance Graph



THE TOP FIVE:


HONORABLE MENTION: 

Each day we'll list our next athlete on the top five list, along with an accompanying honorable mention pick across our 6-10 selections. 

No. 6, Riley Chamberlain, Del Oro: She was California's best up-and-coming talent in 2018, winning her first California Division 4 state cross county championship and producing five performances under 18 minutes for 5K. She was also chosen -- based on times -- to represent California at NXN, finishing 62nd there. Chamberlain's outdoor season saw her run a 4:56.94 in the 1,600m and 10:21.31 in the 3,200m, where she was fourth in that race. 


HONORABLE MENTION SELECTIONS: