When Raegan Lantz first approached her coaches about dedicating a match to diabetes awareness, she was hoping it would catch on.
Three years later, the tradition at Miami (Ohio) University volleyball has continued and grown.
Lantz, a West Ottawa graduate with Type 1 Diabetes, is a Dexcom U athlete ambassador who continues to be a role model for athletes affected by Diabetes.
Miami's Diabetes Awareness match took place on Oct. 9 and prior to the match, Lantz med with a local group of eight kids living with Diabetes, part of “Dexcom U Days,” a mentorship initiative from Dexcom U, an NIL program for college athletes with diabetes.
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"It means so much to me. This game means a lot to me. I want to be representation for kids. It can feel lonely if you don't know anyone else who has Type 1, or you don't see it," Lantz said. "Having the opportunity to bring awareness on whatever scale has been so meaningful to me. Having a coaching staff and school who is so supportive of that has been a huge thing for me. They want me to have that platform."
The kids spent time with Raegan, learned how she manages diabetes on game day and how she has handled it since being diagnosed at age 14.
"It was amazing," she said. "I got to see all the kids. We talked about little things. I tried to give them a lot of encouragement. There are good days and bad days, but really leaning on community is important. I just tried to pour into them as much as I could. They made posters for me during the day and that was so cool to see. They got to stand with us during the National Anthem. What I have been wanting to do with this game was not just bring awareness, but have community there at the game and give kids the opportunity to see athletes playing at a high level and succeeding with Type 1."
The kids cheered Lantz on as she and the RedHawks swept Central Michigan. She had six kills and two blocks in the match. Lantz has 63 kills and 35 blocks in 16 matches so far this season.
"The first year, we didn't have any local kids there, but last year we had one. To have a group this time shows the growth," Lantz said.
Lantz was an all-state volleyball player at West Ottawa and was twice named Holland Sentinel Volleyball Player of the Year. She holds the school record for kills in a season with 669.
She will celebrate senior night later this season and will have even more volleyball in the future. Lantz plans the transfer portal to see if she wants to use her fifth year of eligibility at Miami or elsewhere, depending on school needs.
"The season is going great. Seeing the way my team fights has been really fun," Lantz said. "This team has something really special going."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: WO grad Reagan Lantz elevates Miami's diabetes match: 'I want to be representation for kids'