Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Ygnacio Valley High’s Lauren Dang
Name: Lauren Dang
School: Ygnacio Valley High School
Grade: Junior
Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field
Dang is concluding her junior year at Ygnacio Valley with a bang. She recently set personal best times while taking fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.6) and 300m hurdles (51.37) at the Diablo Athletic League championship meet.
She is a team captain and MVP for coach Mark Tran’s track and field squad. Her hurdle times qualified her in both events for the North Coast Section Tri Valley meet. Not to sit around waiting for her favorite two events, during this outdoor track and field season Dang has also run 100, 200, 400 and 800 meter races plus competed in the high jump, long jump and discus. In the winter point guard Dang helped YV qualify for the Division IV NCS playoffs.
She also is a setter and outside hitter for the school volleyball team in the fall. Away from school she plays club hoops for Bay Area Magic. Coach Tran says, “Lauren is a leader, self-motivator, and overall great person. Her most endearing quality is that she genuinely cares about people.
Team spirit
Lauren is most happy when teammates do well.” Looking ahead, Dang would like to attend a four-year college after graduating in spring 2023 to study architecture and engineering. She would also like to compete in hurdles on the collegiate level.
She is a member of the YVHS Health Academy and an honor student with a 4.0 GPA, making sure her busy sports schedule does not interfere with her studies.
The Pioneer congratulates Lauren and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to Sports@PioneerPublishers.com
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.