Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Fredericksburg Free Press Entry Title: Joey LoMonaco best lede Entry Credit: Joey LoMonaco Judge Comment: Goat landscaper lede and first day of kindergarten lede pulled this one into first in a category where not much separated 1 thru 4. Ledes were almost too clever, but they were well done and left reader wanting more of the story.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Cardinal News Entry Title: A wait for disaster relief, a mental health journey, and kisses from a beagle Entry Credit: Elizabeth Beyer Judge Comment: Ledes definitely kept me intrigued. Short, but left the reader wanting more. Well done.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Richmonder Entry Title: Michael Phillips Entry Credit: Michael Phillips Judge Comment: These ledes were intriguing. They let the reader know what the story was about while still making them want to know more. "This is not a story about one of them" was great example of a good lede.
Competition Comment: Tough group from which to pick a winner.
