final

Group B
First Award: Leader-Telegram, Eau
Claire: Joe Ziemer: The breadth of
styles of columns are sure to be welcomed
by readers. One column is an
insightful look at the private school
multiplier being proposed in the state,
while others explore the human interest
angle to perfection.
Second Award: Beloit Daily News:
“Wedig will be perfect hire for Purple
Knights” - Jim Franz: Great variety of
human interest angles are explored
in these columns. A great service to
readers.
Third Award: The Journal Times,
Racine: “Hisle makes a call from the
heart, Humble start led to great success,
Ozzy’s enduring spirit” - Peter Jackel:
These columns go well beyond the
game stories to let readers in on what
kind of personalities the stars have.
Honorable Mention: Kenosha News:
“Rangers make it less like work, Reigel
part of Bo’s Platteville posse, Local recounts
his time with ‘Moonlight’ Graham”
- Mike Johnson: Variety of the
columns keep the readers interested.
Group C
First Award: Daily News, West Bend
- Nicholas Dettmann: Topics are explored
in depth and address complex
local issues that readers want to know
more about. These are far more than
the obligatory columns tied to the “big
game.”
Second Award: The Chippewa Herald,
Chippewa Falls: Brandon Berg:
These columns take readers behind the
scenes and explain why the games turn
out the way they do.
Third Award: Daily Jefferson County
Union, Fort Atkinson: “Just Saying”
- Josh Smith: Topics chosen tend to
be non-traditional, which makes the
readers take note.
Honorable Mention: Daily Jefferson
County Union, Fort Atkinson: “Seisser
Up Sports” - Jeff Seisser: Columnist
writes from a personal perspective.
Group D
First Award: Door County Advocate,
Sturgeon Bay - Jon Gast: Blends his
knowledge of the community with an
easy-to-read style that draws readers in.
Second Award: Oconomowoc Enterprise,
Waukesha: “Wichman still rolling
at 88 years young, Barkers formed
strong father/son connection, Restoration
project to reap rewards” - Mark
Hutchinson: Writes well on a variety
of topics.
Third Award: Door County Advocate,
Sturgeon Bay: Kevin Naze: Very
clear he knows his subject matter, and
shows an ability to make it interesting
even to readers who don’t know much
about the outdoors.
Honorable Mention: North Shore
NOW, Waukesha: “From the Press
Box” - Steven L. Tietz.
Group E
First Award: Oconomowoc Focus, Hartland:
“All Schuck Up” - Chris Schuck:
Makes the reader feel what he’s writing
about. Good knowledge of community.
Second Award: The Platteville Journal:
“Platteville Journal Etc.” - Steve
Prestegard: Smooth style and knows
his audience.
Third Award: Ripon Commonwealth
Press: “Scrabbling through the ABCs,
Basketball teams showed plenty of heart
in tourney runs, Ripon freshman football
team’s success is result of collective
effort, hard work” - Jonathan Bailey:
The Scrabble idea is innovative, and it’s
nice to see teams get credit who don’t
usually show up in the paper.
Editorial 13
Honorable Mention: Burlington
Standard Press: “Sports Check” - Mike
Ramczyk: Writes with lots of passion.
Group F
First Award: Manawa Messenger,
Clintonville: “From Left Field” - Andrew
Hanlon: Variety of subjects,
quality writing, knowledge of subjects
make this writer a good read.
Second Award: Poynette Press: “Fourth
And Inches” - Sam Rodriguez: Nice
personal touch on the curling column.
Third Award: Clintonville Tribune
Gazette: “Shawano Speedway finally
gets racing season under way, Racing
action at Shawano Speedway reaches
across nation, Championships in all
divisions up for grabs” - Bert Lehman:
You have to like a column that helps
launch a whole publication on the
subject.
Sports Feature
Group A
First Award: Gannett Wisconsin Media,
Appleton: “Champions & Charity - 6
stories” - Eric Litke: The scope, research
and reporting in this series put it miles
ahead of other pieces in this category.
Solid all around.
Second Award: The Post-Crescent,
Appleton: “Special Bond ” - Ricardo
Arguello: Solid lede. Well-rounded
feature that examines several aspects
of Cohen’s life athletically, personally,
culturally. Wordy at times, but ending
brings story full circle.
Third Award: Green Bay Press-Gazette:
“Fight of Her Life: Verona junior
Ebony Nettles-Bey battles cancer with
a big assist from her teammates and
her favorite sport” - Dennis Semrau:
Touching story. I would have liked to
see more writing by the author and
fewer quotes.
Group B
First Award: Leader-Telegram, Eau
Claire: “Skating Away” - Jesse O’Brien:
Great lede. I really enjoyed this story.
Would have liked to read more about
how this friendship began at age 5.
Probably lots of great anecdotes hidden
there.
Second Award: Beloit Daily News:
“Basketball like oasis for Trojan” - Josh
Flickinger: Solid lede. Transitions were
a little rough, but still a nice job overall.
Third Award: The Sheboygan Press:
“Only area native to reach Majors
enjoyed journey” - Adam Thompson:
Good reporting, but lacked in color and
quotes. Still found some excellent details.
Group C
Overall comment: Solid writing
throughout. The winning entries, I felt,
were stories that could make readers
say to those nearby, “Did you see
this?” and bring more in to read these
well-told stories.
First Award: Daily News, West Bend:
“Now look at me” - Jason Clary:
Well-told story of a young man who
wouldn’t accept a doctor’s opinion and
made himself into a world-class athlete.
Excellent use of detail, without candycoating
or shying away from the reality
of what happened.
Second Award: Watertown Daily
Times: “Just a game he loves” - Kevin
Wilson: Good story about a hometown
boy who did good, then came home to
give back. Excellent update and feature
on a young man who was able to make
a life out of the sport he loved.
Third Award: The Chippewa Herald,
Chippewa Falls: “Miracle on Ice” - Sam
Oleson: This story brings out the grit
and determination of a young hockey
player in a way that leaves the reader
both impressed and inspired.