WRC sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak is heading to the big leagues.

The D.C. NBC O&O announced this week that Czarniak, who has been with the station since 2005, will be leaving to join ESPN in mid-July.

“Lindsay has been an important part of our station for the last six years,” said Camille Edwards, WRC’s vice president of news. “We would have loved for her to continue to be part of our team. She will always have a lot of friends at NBC4, and we truly wish her all the best.”

Czarniak, 33, was hired by legendary WRC sports anchor George Michael, who took her under his wing and eventually handed her the reins when he departed the station in 2007. He once called her “the best hire I’ve ever made.”

In April, Czarniak got engaged to WRC weekend anchor Craig Melvin.