Seven Big 12 teams are currently splashed across the national top 25 rankings. From No. 3 Texas to No. 23 Texas A&M and every squad in between, the conference has become the country’s softball powerhouse.

“This is definitely a very, very good conference, and for us the most important thing is that we go out and compete,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler.

While much of the conference is on the rise, the ISU squad is searching for its place atop the conference ladder. The women stand at 1-7 and have not won in conference play since splitting a doubleheader with Oklahoma State.

The No. 21 Cowgirls began the onslaught, and every team since has swept the Cyclones. Texas A&M, Texas Tech and now Texas have powered through Iowa State and left the Cyclones reeling.

For some teams, this would be the most challenging stretch on its schedule. For Iowa State, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Doubleheaders against Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri all await the Cyclones in the regular season. Each team sits in the top 15 nationally, with Missouri leading the way at No. 9.

Iowa State isn’t the only team searching for success. The Kansas Jayhawks are also looking for an escape from Big 12 futility, having secured only one conference victory in 14 attempts this season.

Conference struggles are nothing new for the Cyclones. From 1984-2009, Iowa State won only 115 conference games. This total is still far less than the number lost by teams of the 2000s, 145.

“We need to concentrate on things that are in our future instead of things that have already happened in the past,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.

The games at Texas were a perfect example of the trials and tribulations the Cyclones have endured during their Big 12 tenure. With back-to-back losses against the Longhorns, Iowa State is now 1-33 all time versus the ladies from Austin.

“I think the first thing to recognize is that no, we didn’t win, but at the same time we did some things well, better than what we have been doing,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.

In regard to all-time records, Iowa State does not have the upper hand in any Big 12 series. The only Big 12 school that the Cyclones maintain an advantage over is Kansas State, a team that no longer participates in competitive softball.

Searching for the solution to their conference pitfalls is an ongoing process. Iowa State dwells at the bottom of the conference in team fielding, pitching and batting.

Individual and team efforts will need to improve if the Cyclones have any hope to salvage their conference play. Gemeinhardt-Cesler said it all begins by giving themselves a chance to compete.

Their next chance to compete in the Big 12 will come against the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday in Ames.