Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The News & Advance Entry Title: Heroes emerge in Gretna; 'Part human, part robot’; The final Gaels Entry Credit: Ben Cates Judge Comment: Ben Cates reporting and writing makes the reader want to root for his subjects. He uses story-telling effectively, using descriptive writing and drama in heroes. Part robot story is another example of writer making reader care about the individual.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Daily News-Record Entry Title: Rowe; Black Coaches; Last Game Entry Credit: Shane Mettlen Judge Comment: Shane breaks out of routine sports writing to describe the end of a bad JMU season. Good enterprise on Black coaches and added responsibilities they face while fighting stereotypes. Game story provides a story line beyond play by play.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The News & Advance Entry Title: Liberty kicker, Oakwood's Morris Alexander, Lacrosse player becomes nurse Entry Credit: Damien Sordelett Judge Comment: Good reporting and research to find the back story on the game-winning kicker from Liberty.
