By Mike Sherman, APSE First Vice President/Contest Chair
Andrew Carter, University of North Carolina beat writer for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., took first place in the Associated Press Sports Editors 2013 contest in the Beat Writing category in the 75,001-175,000 circulation category.
Carter, who received five of six first-place votes from APSE judges, will be presented a first-place plaque at the 2014 APSE Banquet June 28 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star finished second, and Harry Minium of The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk was third. The top 10 is listed below with links to writers’ available Twitter pages and entries.
Sports editors in the 75,001 to 175,000 circulation category submitted a total of 45 Beat Writing entries. Contest catchers numbered each entry, assuring they had been stripped of headlines, graphics, bylines and any other element that would identify the writer or news organization.
In early March, preliminary judges at the APSE Winter Conference in Indianapolis selected a top 10, with each judge ranking the entries in order from 1 to 10 separately on a secret ballot. Entries were given 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second and so on down to 1 point for a 10th-place vote. The final 10 were given to a second judging group, which ranked the entries 1-10 in the same fashion. The winner and final rankings are determined by tallying the ballots.
The Beat Writing category recognizes the most authoritative, newsy and innovative coverage of a beat during 2013. Each APSE member news organization was permitted to submit up to two entries of five stories each. Each entry consisted of at least one breaking news story, one event or game coverage, one enterprise piece and two wild-card stories that could include a blog post.
The contest is open to APSE members. Go to this link to join.
2013 APSE Contest: Beat Writing, 75,001 to 175,000 circulation
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Andrew Carter, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), (5), 57 points
UNC's Reggie Bullock left Kinston's streets, but carries their memory
UNC eliminates N.C. State in 12-inning ACC thriller
Emails show UNC doubts about ACC after Maryland’s departure
As ACC fouls drop, the pounding players take rises
UNC's P.J. Hairston will not return to Tar Heels
2. Zak Keefer, The Indianapolis Star, (1), 52 points
Indiana coach Tom Crean berates Michigan assistant after emotional victory
Christian Watford and the block that saved Indiana's season
Tirade by Indiana softball coach forces university to investigate line between motivation and abuse
Indiana Basketball: Freshman Yogi Ferrell, the can't-miss prospect who lived up to the hype
Indiana basketball: So, what's it really like to be a manager for the team?
3. Harry Minium, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.), 47 points
A lot of work in not much time for ODU's big move
ODU escapes NSU upset bid in final seconds
ODU tackle Morrell plays for love of his brother
ODU envisions new, 30,000-seat football stadium
ODU lineman is Born to be a block star
4. Amanda Comak, The Washington Times, 45 points
Nationals 2013: It’s ‘World Series or bust’ as Johnson prepares to cap five-plus decades in game
Harpers share 'Dream come true' as Bryce Harper places second in Home Run Derby
Team spirit and Holy Spirit — for Nationals religion looms large on and off the field
Jordan Zimmermann’s quiet rise to All-Star status
5. Jason Kersey, The Oklahoman, 30 points
College football: SEC's dominance has given the South something to finally be proud of
Oklahoma football: Bob Stoops fires assistants Jackie Shipp and Bruce Kittle
Bedlam football: Unexpected plays, bold decisions lift OU past Oklahoma State
Oklahoma football: How Nick Saban built a bond with the Stoops family
Oklahoma football: How a season at Oklahoma Panhandle State helped shape Bill Bedenbaugh's career
6. Kelly Hines, Tulsa (Okla.) World, 26 points
OSU sues endowment over plumbing issue
Marcus Smart's decision is to stay at OSU
Going pro: Which sport gets draft rules right?
Battlefield tested: OSU coach's Afghan tour grounds daily perspective
Twitter, TV exposure lead to OSU's Craig dating Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (no link)
7. Martin Frank, The News Journal (Wilmington, Del.), 23 points
Riley Cooper apologizes for racial slur caught on tape
In Chip Kelly's offense, lightning-quick speed is essential
Vick and Foles have a healthy QB competition going
Eagles quarterback instability a challenge
LeSean McCoy dashes through snow to record as Eagles drop Lions
8. Brendan F. Quinn, Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel, 19 points
Skylar McBee goes from humble start to Senior Day
Offseason could be time to evaluate Cuonzo Martin’s contract
The anatomy of second chances: Former assistants pursue life after Tennessee
Source: Trae Golden's departure 'based on academics' and …
Marshall Henderson talks the talk, walks the walk as Ole Miss sweeps UT, 62-56
9. (tie) Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean (Nashville), 17 points
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin maintains around-the-clock intensity
James Franklin's image unlikely to take hit from Vanderbilt scandal
Four Vanderbilt football players dismissed amid sex crimes investigation
Vanderbilt QB Austyn Carta-Samuels' path out of despair
Unranked Vanderbilt upsets No. 16 Georgia, causes coach to cry
(tie) Dave Matter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 17 points
Mizzou scores breakthrough victory at Georgia
Haith won't appeal but insists he was truthful
Pinkel on the hot seat at Mizzou?
Former walk-on Copeland a 'warrior' for Mizzou
Josey’s long nightmare followed by lofty dreams
(Mike Sherman, APSE first vice president and contest chair, is sports editor of The Oklahoman. Email him at msherman@opubco.com, follow him at @MikeSherman or call 405-475-3164.)
