When I picked up my copy of the Daily on Monday, it bought a smile to my face as I read the article on the Cyclone football victory Saturday. I have been an avid football fan my entire life and after years of highs and lows, I certainly recognize the significance of such a victory over a top 25 team.

However, I was disappointed to see the women’s cross-country team’s Big 12 Conference victory with only a small picture on the front page and the main story tucked away in the sports section.

I have been informed that front-page stories are determined by story quality and its appeal to readers, which, at a newspaper, makes sense. Granted the cross-country team got its coverage Wednesday, but it still is a testament to the lack of interest we as students are showing our team. I think, though, the idea that it was determined that the football team’s win was a more appealing story for ISU students than the cross-country championship is the problem at hand.

The football win is excellent and I would congratulate the team on its hard work. But I think we really need to take into consideration the scale of accomplishment demonstrated by both teams.

When was the last time the football team won a Big 12 Championship? Well, Iowa State football’s closest claim to a title was a Big 12 North co-championship in 2004 and co-champions in 1911 and 1912 while in the Big Eight. So that would be, never? Believe me, the minute the football team wins a Big 12 Championship I will be cheering my heart out, but we need to give credit when and where it is due.

The cross-country team won its first Big 12 Championship this weekend. That is a championship, meaning we, Iowa State University, are the best in the conference. Shouldn’t we recognize this great achievement? Cross-country doesn’t get the glamour of football and basketball and I doubt most people could tell you the name of a single runner, but the fact that even a Big 12 Championship is overshadowed by a single football win is just disappointing.

Now, maybe a small portion of my resentment stems from the trauma that is high school. I ran cross-country and I can promise you the athletes in the sport don’t get much love. Now, granted, I wasn’t particularly good, but it was still disappointing when they scheduled the powderpuff football game during our home meet during homecoming week, and it was still hurtful when the football players would mock us for having an hour-long practice despite the fact that we had run six miles plus sprints.

The main problem I have is the inequality different athletes receive. Everyone is entitled to their preferences to sports that they like to watch, but each athlete deserves the same respect for excelling in their field. The cross-country runner competing at a Division I level is more than likely putting in the same amount of effort as any football player and when that effort pays off in such a big way, it should be recognized.

This week, that credit goes to the cross-country team. As my cross-country coach once told me, “You have all of the guts, and none of the glory.” I’m sorry that it’s only a small opinion column tucked away in the pages of the Daily and a few days late, but congratulations, ladies. It’s an amazing achievement.