State News sports writer Krista Latham is still surprised about being named the Big Ten’s collegiate sports writer of the year.

“I wasn’t really expecting to win,” the journalism senior said. “I owe a lot to all the other sports writers at The State News.”

The conference annually honors William Reed, a former Big Ten commissioner, by acknowledging a student journalist from one of the 11 Big Ten universities with the William R. Reed Memorial Award. The award is given to a reporter who, “through his or her writing during the previous academic term best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and dedication to the Big Ten and intercollegiate athletics, which marked the life of Reed.”

Latham has worked for The State News for four semesters and is currently interning at the Flint Journal. She covers area athletes for the Grand Blanc Community Journal, her hometown.

“Working at the Flint Journal is a good experience, but I still have a lot to learn,” she said.

Latham nabbed The State News’ Best Sports Feature Story of the Year award for her in-depth look at former MSU female athletes who were still waiting for their long-overdue varsity letters.

A few months later, the university announced it would give varsity letters to female Spartans who competed prior to 1980, when female athletes were first recognized.

The story also placed 10th in the William Randolph Hearst In-Depth Writing Contest and helped Latham win the 2001 John H. Kreig Memorial Scholarship at MSU.

Latham believes news clips and the essay she submitted to the Reed Award voting committee really helped her stand out from the other Big Ten college writers.

“To be a great sports writer, you have to look for the story that’s not your typical ‘gamer’ story,” Latham said. “You have to be creative and listen to whoever you’re interviewing. Present your sports story in a way so non-sports lovers will be interested in reading it.

“I’ve always loved to read and write and I like going to events non-reporters don’t get to go to.”