In 2018-19, the Mountain East Conference began its "Dear Sport" initiative where student-athletes in the conference were encouraged to write a letter to their sport. The initiative provides the opportunity for student-athletes to express in their own words the impact that sports has played in shaping them throughout their lives. 

Click here to view all letters posted throughout the year. 

Below is a letter from Tanner Redinger, a cross country runner at UVa-Wise

Dear Cross Country,
 
You have been one of the biggest players in my life. You have been there through the high points and the low points in my life. I have made so many life-long friends from cross country by either at meets or just teammates. Cross country wasn’t something I was interested in when I was in elementary school but was definitely in love with as soon as I first tried it when I was a freshman in high school.

The first meet I ever ran in high school was one of the best feelings in the world. Just the feel of the air brushing past my face and seeing all of the other runners pushing to try and win the race was one of the most exhilarating feelings I have ever felt in my life. One of the best feelings in my entire cross country career is the day I broke eighteen minutes because it was one of my most proud moments of my entire life.

There are so many friendships I have made over the years of cross country and there are some that I call brothers. The best feeling is when you go to meets and there are all of your friends from other schools, and they are on the starting line with each other just wanting to go off and compete for the first place.

Cross country is a sport that I am truly blessed to participate in during college at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and it has shown me a new level of the sport that I never knew about. Now, here I am three seasons into it, and I am now a very strong and determined runner.

Sincerely,
Tanner Redinger