By Mary Byrne, APSE Second Vice President
Mark Selig of the Columbia Missourian took first place in the Associated Press Sports Editors 2014 contest for Columns in the under 30,000 circulation category.
Selig will be presented a first-place plaque at the 2015 APSE banquet on June 27 at The Westgate Hotel in San Diego, Calif.
Balloting by six APSE judges ranked Selig ahead of runner-up Mike Szvetitz of the Opelika-Auburn News and third-place finisher Joe Walljasper of the Columbia Daily Tribune. The top 10 is listed below with links to writers’ Twitter pages and entries.
Sports editors in the under 30,000 circulation category submitted 54 column entries written or directed by APSE member sports departments in 2014. All entries were stripped of their headlines, bylines and any other elements that would identify the writer or news organization.
In early February, preliminary judges at the APSE winter conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 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. 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 Column Writing category is judged based on style, writing quality, originality and local appeal. There is no restriction on subject matter and no requirement that the column appears regularly. Each news organization is permitted two entries in this category.
The contest is open to all APSE members. Go to this link to join.
2014 APSE Contest: Columns, under 30,000 circulation
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Mark Selig, Columbia Missourian, 46 points (1)
Commentary: Maty Mauk’s confidence rubs off on teammates
Trying out to be a Missouri Tiger is no cakewalk on the basketball court
Commentary: Get used to the name Montaque Gill-Caesar sooner rather than later
Commentary: Shamburger showing Anderson’s vision one loose ball at a time …
Commentary: Loss to UMKC proves Anderson has big task ahead of him at Missouri …
2. Mike Szvetitz, Opelika-Auburn News, 43 points (2)
Szvetitz: Philip Lutzenkirchen left a legacy of respect, honor and love
Szvetitz: Jay Jacobs, Bruce Pearl serious about resurrecting Auburn basketball
Szvetitz: Bashing high school recruits for where they choose to sign? Grow up
Szvetitz: Clock strikes midnight on Auburn’s fairy-tale season
Szvetitz: Minimal improvement not significant enough for Tony Barbee at Auburn
3. Joe Walljasper, Columbia Daily Tribune, 41 points (1)
Another sexual-assault scandal should force culture change
Sam, teammates proved gay athlete shouldn’t have to choose secrecy
Why was Anderson the right pick? It just feels right
A life ends but the stories don’t
4. Duane Rankin, Montgomery Advertiser, 36 points (1)
Commentary: Why is Nick Saban really frustrated right now?
Commentary: Van Hooser’s stock rises after catch
FSU continues to fall short in handling Winston
Commentary: Kiffin’s offense propelled Tide to playoff
5. John Bohnenkamp, The Hawk Eye, 36 points
Todd Hamilton soaks in deafening roar
Mark Farley defiant after loss
Chaos around kick defines latest edition of Cy-Hawk Series
You wait 29 years for a World Series and this happens?
You always get what you deserve in football
6. Scott Chancey, Index-Journal, 34 points
Pink has taken new, powerful meaning in sports world
College of Charleston’s men’s basketball players deserve better
Mother’s Day means more to Rankin
Dixie game ball a real treasure
(Fifth column not available)
7. John Bednarowski, The Marietta Daily Journal, 31 points (1)
Commentary: Changes need to be made to KSU basketball team
Commentary: For Mason, Lutzenkirchen, bond bridged SEC rivalries
Commentary: Time to adjust Corky Kell Classic schedule
Commentary: Ollie is arrogant, and that’s a good thing
Commentary: Local coaches take proactive approach
8. Peter Jackel, The Journal Times (Racine, Wis.), 24 points
No link
9. George Artsitas, The World, 21 points
Belmont provides bonding with Dad
Unexpected bond sticks between two local walkers
Win over Siuslaw provided thrill for Pirates
Thorns are a big hit in Portland
10. Matthew Peaslee, Steubenville Herald-Star, 18 points
Put me in coach, I’m ready (to attempt) to ride
ALS Ice Bucket challenge is freezin’ for a reason
Baseball, Black Bears, oh my!
Weir is set for more soccer success
This time around, James returns for the fans
