OUR VIEW: Cross country team will be missed at home, on meets in Logan

The Utah State University cross country team seems to be getting the short end of the stick this year.

Not a single meet is scheduled at home for the long-distance runners.

USU students and cross country fans are being deprived of the chance to root for the men’s and women’s teams. Do not overlook that not only the fans are being deprived.

The teams are missing out as well. They don’t have their fans to cheer them on unless they are racing nearby. They are also missing out on money – yes, the stuff that makes the world go ’round. At cross country meets, visiting teams pay to compete and gain recognition. The money goes toward the home team’s program.

Why would the team pass up the opportunity to gain the obviously much-needed extra funding?

There is a very special reason. The team will be attending a national qualifying meet this season. Unfortunately, the meet falls the same day the USU cross country team was to have its home meet. USU is going to miss out on rooting for its runners at home, but with all of the potential they are showing this year, USU may be rooting for them as they push their way to victory in nationals.

Winning on that scale is many times better than having a meet in Logan. National competition brings with it national recognition. That can only be a good thing for the athletes and moreover, Utah State.

As long as they keep running and keep in shape, the USU cross country team members are going to make USU proud, whether they have a home meet or not.