Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Owatonna People's Press Entry Title: Never Quit: Brandon Moen had every excuse to walk away from wrestling, but he didn't Entry Credit: Jon Weisbrod Judge Comment: The first few grafs draw the reader into the story and Weisbrod's use of short, punchy lines punctuate a story of the ups and downs of a dedicated athlete.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Owatonna People's Press Entry Title: The Chosen One: Identified as a potential star at a young age, Williamson lived up to the hype Entry Credit: Jon Weisbrod Judge Comment: For a prep athlete maybe everyone in MN knows, I felt like I got to know Jason Williamson, too. But the glimpses beyond sports to his "normal" life make the story.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Willmar - West Central Tribune Entry Title: Playing for Jenna Entry Credit: Joe Brown Judge Comment: Great community sports reporting here that exemplifies how towns can band together through sport. The front-page pullquote adds some emotion and draws the reader in.
