Introducing the 2026-2027 Dexcom U Class
Redefining what’s possible
Twenty-seven college athletes. One shared mission: showing what's possible with diabetes.
Meet the largest Dexcom U class yet and follow their journeys as they compete, lead, and inspire.
When you see what's possible, you believe it is
Research shows representation, mentorship, and community build confidence for athletes living with diabetes.1
More young adults with type 1 diabetes are sticking with sports.
The percentage who quit sports after diagnosis dropped from 24% to 16%, while overall sports participation rose to 85% from 81%.¹
Isolation and stigma are declining.
Young adults with diabetes reporting frequent loneliness dropped to 15% from 28%, and those feeling embarrassed because of type 1 diabetes dropped to 12% from 20%.¹
Visible role models and mentors would make a real difference.
77% of young adults say awareness of athletes with type 1 diabetes would help newly diagnosed individuals, and 82% feel more represented seeing people with diabetes in sports and media.¹ Among those surveyed with a diabetes mentor, 92% report a positive experience.¹
Diabetes management remains a barrier.
Among those who quit sports, 62% feared low glucose levels, while 54% found managing diabetes during activity too complicated (up from 42%).¹
CGM users report greater control and confidence.
Those who started CGM use within a year of diagnosis reported significantly lower rates of glucose control difficulties (11% vs. 28%), fear of lows (22% vs. 54%), and mental burden (18% vs. 34%) compared to later adopters.¹
Meet our Dexcom U athletes
Aliya Gricius
School: University of Wisconsin–Superior
Sport: Hockey
School: University of Wisconsin–Superior
Sport: Hockey
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8, Aliya Gricius is a sophomore and women’s hockey goalie at the University of Wisconsin–Superior. She has used Dexcom CGM since her diagnosis and now pairs it with the iLet Bionic Pancreas.* Inspired by NHL player Luke Kunin, Aliya learned early that diabetes did not have to stand between her and her goals. She hopes to build a career in marketing while using her story to show young athletes with diabetes that they can compete, grow, and succeed in sports.
Anya Tribune
School: Gardner-Webb University
Sport: Soccer
School: Gardner-Webb University
Sport: Soccer
Anya Tribune was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4 and began using Dexcom CGM in 2013. Now a junior at Gardner-Webb University, she competes on the women’s soccer team and manages her diabetes with Dexcom and a t:slim X2 insulin pump.† Her greatest role model has been her mom, whose support and example shaped Anya’s journey. Anya hopes to keep advancing in soccer and, by sharing her experience, help other young athletes with diabetes feel supported as they continue pursuing the sports they love.
Ari Long
School: University of Oregon
Sport: Basketball
School: University of Oregon
Sport: Basketball
Ari Long has lived with type 1 diabetes since eighth grade and is now a senior basketball player at the University of Oregon. She uses Dexcom G7 with Omnipod 5‡ to help manage glucose through classes, training, travel, and games, and shares her levels with family and coaches through the Follow app. Ari is grateful for a platform that lets her share her story and empower kids. She hopes to give the next generation of athletes with type 1 diabetes the confidence to follow their dreams without seeing diabetes as a limit.
Austin Howard
School: Vanderbilt University
Sport: Football
School: Vanderbilt University
Sport: Football
Austin Howard was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 15 in August 2023 and began using Dexcom CGM later that year with Omnipod 5.‡ He is a sophomore football player at Vanderbilt University with aspirations of reaching the NFL and exploring fashion or modeling. Through Vanderbilt’s Summer Social Impact program, Austin has provided school supplies to children in need and connected with Owen, a young athlete with type 1 diabetes, at a youth camp. Inspired by Mark Andrews, Austin wants to encourage young athletes and show them support firsthand.
Ben Mirisch
School: University of Southern California
Sport: Water Polo
School: University of Southern California
Sport: Water Polo
Ben Mirisch was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16 and began using Dexcom CGM immediately. Now a junior at the University of Southern California, he competes on the men’s water polo team while balancing academics and athletics. Ben is the founder and president of USC’s Diabetes Empowerment Network, which supports fellow student-athletes managing type 1 diabetes. Inspired by Mark Andrews, he hopes to win an NCAA championship, pursue a career in real estate law, and keep building community for students and athletes navigating diabetes.
Clarke Byram
School: University of Tennessee
Sport: Track & Field
School: University of Tennessee
Sport: Track & Field
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 3, Clarke Byram began using Dexcom CGM at 11 and now pairs Dexcom G7 with a Tandem t:slim pump with Control-IQ.† He is a junior pole vaulter on the University of Tennessee track and field team with his sights set on the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials. Clarke also coaches a middle school pole vault program, where one athlete he mentors recently won a state championship. Guided by his mother’s support, he hopes to keep mentoring young athletes and passing on the discipline and confidence that shaped him.
Cooper Farrall
School: Bentley University
Sport: Basketball
School: Bentley University
Sport: Basketball
Cooper Farrall was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10 and now uses Dexcom G7 with Omnipod 5.‡ A senior captain on Bentley University’s men’s basketball team, he has earned First Team All-Conference, All-NE10 Tournament, Second Team All-East Region, Academic All-Conference, and Academic All-District honors, plus a 2026 NCAA Tournament appearance. Cooper founded a T1D basketball camp, leads fundraisers, and created @t1dhooper, which has more than 11,000 followers. Inspired by his sister Grace, he wants to help athletes with diabetes feel capable, connected, and supported.
Drew Kleinheider
School: Saint Louis University
Sport: Baseball
School: Saint Louis University
Sport: Baseball
Drew Kleinheider was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8 in 2014 and began using Dexcom G5 about a year later. He is now a sophomore baseball player at Saint Louis University. His dad, who also lives with type 1 diabetes, has always been his diabetes role model. Beyond baseball, Drew has volunteered with Special Olympics, nursing homes, and his local church. He hopes to become a lawyer or run his own company after his playing career while continuing to serve others and connect with people facing challenges in their own communities.
Join our community.
Become a Dexcom Warrior!
Ready to make an impact? Share your story of living with diabetes and inspire others in your community. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for years, your journey can empower others to pursue their goals. We invite you to share your experience, inspire your community, and show the world that diabetes won't hold you back.
Sign up to become a Dexcom Warrior and be sure to mention “Dexcom U” in your form. We’re pumped to meet you and celebrate your journey!
Our experts are here to help.
*For full Beta Bionics safety information, please visit https://www.betabionics.com/safety/. †The t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology is indicated for patients with type 1 diabetes, 6 years and older. BOXED WARNING: Control-IQ technology should not be used by people under age 6, or who use less than 10 units of insulin/day, or who weigh less than 55 lbs. For full safety information, visit tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo. ‡The Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is indicated for use by individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and older and type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and older. For a list of compatible smartphone devices for Omnipod 5 visit omnipod.com/compatibility.
1 Dexcom, data on file, 2026 survey data compared with 2022 survey results.
BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.