Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Richmond Times-Dispatch Entry Title: David Teel Entry Credit: David Teel Judge Comment: Wow! Teel brings it home with a variety of subject material in a writing style I envy - word choice, imagery, cadence. Fantastic.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Rubama Entry Credit: Larry Rubama Judge Comment: Loved this columnist for his sensitive approach. His love of people story-telling shines. WEll done!
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Richmond Times-Dispatch Entry Title: Randy Hallman Entry Credit: Randy Hallman Judge Comment: I don't know what's in the water in Richmond, but I want some. Hallman's NASCAR coverage is insightful - loved the Gibbs and street racing columns. This paper is so lucky to have such awesome talent.
Place Name: Alternate Winner Contestant Name: The Washington Times Entry Title: Cheers for Ovechkin have taken a sinister turn; Former Redskin answers calling; Late father is a 'hard voice to replace' Entry Credit: Thom Loverro Judge Comment: OK, this was tough - Loverro wields a sharp blade in his hard news approach to columns. These are excellent. WT readers are well served by his obvious expertise and acerbic observations. Could have been a first.
Competition Comment: By far the toughest group to judge. Very hard to pick one over the other.
