GENERAL REPORTING
First place: Staff, State Press, Arizona State University.
Second place: Jonathan Resendez, The Rambler, Texas Wesleyan University.
Third place: Staff, Wingspan, Laramie County Community College.
The State Press staff wins first place with “After Brewer Signs Immigration Bill, Protestors Vow to Keep Fighting” and a timeline about the SB 1070 controversy.
“This team of reporters truly put the reader at the scene of the protest with spot-on reporting, crisp writing and action-packed visuals,” the judge wrote. “Professional-quality journalism here.”
Jonathan Resendez takes second place with “Targeted: Campus officials demand airsoft gun use stop.”
“A thoroughly reported and well-organized story,” the judge wrote. “Clever writing techniques at work here: ‘lingering sting of an ant bite’ and others give this story extra power.”
The Wingspan staff earns third place with “A Change of Course,” an analysis of the resignation of the community college’s president.
“Quite an ambitious undertaking that is reported well and offers nicely developed points of view,” the judge wrote. “The time line adds depth to the coverage and is especially useful.”
FEATURE WRITING
First place: Shanna Wester, State Press, Arizona State University.
Second place: Jonathan Resendez, The Rambler, Texas Wesleyan University.
Wester earns first place with “Does ASU Have a Porn Problem?”
“The solid reporting in this piece makes it a first-place winner,” the judge wrote. “The writer makes a strong statement in the lead and spends the rest of the story presenting an abundance of evidence. This was particularly difficult to report on, no doubt, since the administration and state officials declined to comment on the issue.”
Resendez takes second place with “Student provides beacon of hope.”
“This profile is impressive in two significant ways: The subject and the sourcing,” the judge wrote. “It’s refreshing and unusual to read about nontraditional students. The writer presented her inspirational story quite well. The depth of sources added tremendously to this piece. Very nicely crafted scene-setting lead.”
SPORTS REPORTING
First place: Nicole Dimtsios, Daily Wildcat, University of Arizona.
Second place: Nathan Meacham, State Press, Arizona State University.
Third place: Cody Tucker, Wingspan, Laramie County Community College.
Dimtsios wins first place with “The show will be right back,” a profile of receiver Dan Buckner as he returns to football after sitting out a year as a transfer student.
“A solid, balanced story with appropriate, multiple sources,” the judge wrote. “The story’s packed with detail that the writer handles deftly. Nothing gets muddled or belabored here. The writing is clear, sharp and entertaining.”
Meacham takes second place with “Robles Provides Inspiration on and off Mat,” a profile of one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles, who went on to win a national championship.
“The writer allowed the subject’s coaches, mother and record speak for him, giving him a voice at the end – very nice profile-writing technique,” the judge wrote.
Tucker earns third place with “Have you heard about our Morgan?” The article profiled Cory Brock Morgan, a student and bullrider preparing to compete in the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
“The reporter turned out a well-written story based on what appears to be masterful interviewing and information gathering,” the judge wrote.
MULTIMEDIA REPORTING
First place: Staff, State Press, Arizona State University.
The State Press staff wins first place with “Seeing it Through,” which combines writing, audio, video and photography to report on 13 blind climbers who hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim. Video from the project was featured on NBC’s “Today” show.
“Engaging story made so by thorough reporting and strong writing,” the judge wrote. “Use of narrated slides and video expanded on the text perfectly. Quality of visuals is professional – no wonder it caught NBC’s attention.”
Judged by Annemarie Franczyk, assistant professor and college news service director, Buffalo State College.