Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Powhatan Today Entry Title: Robby Fletcher Sports Writing Portfolio Entry Credit: Robby Fletcher Judge Comment: Robby Fletcher does an outstanding job of putting the reader "inside the head" of the athlete: high school, college and professional.Robby's wrestling story that details the subject's "wrist control" frame of mind is the best such description I've ever read. Excellent work that puts you a step ahead of this category's other entries.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Breeze Entry Title: Sports-Writing Portfolio - Hayden Hundley Entry Credit: Hayden Hundley Judge Comment: Hayden Hundley's stories on the struggles and successes of JMU lacrosse and basketball athletes are enlightening. Great descriptions of the intense-dad-coaching-their-kid dynamics, good and bad. Credit to the reporter for apparently helping family members be comfortable talking about this. The story on JMU Athletics dealing with success, scheduling and the new world of NIL payments, is insightful. Great work!
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: Peter Brewington's Sports Writing Entry Credit: Peter Brewington Judge Comment: Strong reporting and writing. Good use of quotes to help stories flow. Experience shows!
Competition Comment: Excellent competition in the top half of this category. The stories that stood out to this judge go beyond the "big game" victory or "coach retires" stories, and delve into how athletes are dealing with injury, disappointment, success, their parents (who may also be their coaches) and for those in college, the potential of NIL.
Keep up the great work, Virginia!
